The Ashes Reborn

Everything was working just as I have wanted. But I would take it a notch further. I was invited to a networking event, held by the elites of Istanbul. Where I planned on how to further plunge Murat down.

As I was in my thoughts, a sudden phone call brought me back to reality. I picked up the call and from the other side, a man greeted me.

"Ali, how are you doing, now?", the voice of my mentor, Kemal asked.

I responded, "Everything is running smoothly as planned. I have integrated myself in their world and I am closer in eliminating the business and the lives of those who destroyed me."

"Good. And don't forget what I said, revenge is good but don't let it consume you." He said.

I nodded.

"And I am soon getting released. The paperworks have been submitted. After I get out, we will work on the deal which we had in jail.", Kemal said.

I recalled the deal which we made.

I signed a paper in which I proclaimed that once my revenge is finished, I will help Kemal in reclaiming his lost possession.

I kept it aside for now and focused on my revenge.

---

I arrived at the bustling networking event, my eye caught Mr. Emre one of the key investors in Murat's business I approached him. He was a man known for his sharp instincts and cautious approach to business, and I knew exactly how to exploit his fears.

Casually swirling the drink in my hand, I struck up a conversation. "Emre," I began, my tone light and conversational, "you've been with Murat for years, right?"

"That's right," Emre said, raising an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

I leaned in slightly, as though sharing a harmless piece of gossip. "Well, you know how these things go. Lately, I've been hearing some whispers about financial instability in Murat's company. Probably nothing, but... have you noticed any red flags?"

Emre frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. "I haven't, but now that you mention it, there have been delays in payments recently. Nothing major, but unusual."

I shrugged, offering him a disarming smile. "Just a friendly heads-up. You know how rumors can snowball. I figured it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on things."

Emre nodded, his expression pensive. "You're right. I'll look into it."

That was all I needed to plant the seed of doubt. Emre was known for his vigilance, and I knew he wouldn't let this go. The ripples of uncertainty began to spread, and soon Murat's allies were questioning his competence and stability.

---

At the same event, Leyla was mingling with some of Murat's key partners. She moved gracefully through the crowd, exuding charm and confidence as she greeted guests. I watched her from a distance, a small smile playing on my lips.

She was unaware of the storm brewing around her husband, but the subtle tension in her face suggested that she had noticed his recent stress. Leyla had always been perceptive, though Murat rarely shared the full extent of his struggles with her.

Later that night, as Leyla and I stood by the balcony overlooking the glittering city, she turned to me with a worried expression. "Ali, do you think Murat is okay? He's been so on edge lately, and I can't get him to talk to me about it."

I hesitated for a moment, letting the concern in my eyes mirror hers. "He's under a lot of pressure, Leyla. The business world can be ruthless, and there's been a lot happening lately."

She sighed, gripping the railing. "I just wish he'd let me in. We used to talk about everything, but now it feels like he's shutting me out."

"Sometimes people carry their burdens alone to protect those they love," I said gently. "But maybe he just needs time to work through it."

Leyla nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I hope you're right, Ali. I don't want to lose him—not to this."

Her words lingered with me, a bittersweet reminder of the collateral damage in my quest for vengeance. But I brushed it aside. Emotions were a luxury I couldn't afford.

---

Murat's growing paranoia

The ripples I had created soon became waves. Investors began pulling out, citing concerns about Murat's stability. Clients demanded reassurances, reluctant to sign new deals. His partners hesitated, their trust shaken.

Murat sat at the head of a tense board meeting, his usually commanding presence diminished by the weight of recent events. His COO, Fatih, shuffled through a stack of papers, avoiding Murat's eyes.

"Murat, we're losing clients," Fatih said, his voice tight. "They're nervous. Some are even canceling contracts outright. We need to reassure them, but I'm not sure if we can."

Murat slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded. "Why is everything falling apart at once?"

Fatih exchanged uneasy glances with the other board members before speaking. "There are rumors, Murat. People are saying we can't be trusted. They're questioning your leadership."

Murat's eyes darted to me, searching for reassurance. "Ali, what do you think? How do we fix this?"

I leaned back in my chair, keeping my expression calm. "It's clear there's a coordinated effort to undermine your business," I said, my tone measured. "We need to identify the source and cut it off. But for now, damage control is crucial. Reassure your clients and investors. Show them you're in control."

Murat nodded slowly, the lines of stress on his face deepening. "I'll do whatever it takes. I can't let this destroy us."

As Murat scrambled to stabilize his crumbling empire, his paranoia grew. He began questioning the loyalty of everyone around him, from his board members to his closest allies. The once-confident businessman was now a shadow of himself, consumed by fear and self-doubt.

---

Leyla's Growing Concerns

At home, Leyla noticed the changes in Murat. He was distracted, irritable, and distant. She tried to reach out to him, but her efforts were met with frustration.

One evening, after another tense and silent dinner, Leyla found me in the study, sorting through papers. "Ali," she said quietly, closing the door behind her. "I'm worried about Murat. He's not himself."

I looked up, feigning surprise. "What's wrong?"

"He's so tense all the time. He barely eats or sleeps, and he won't talk to me. It's like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."

I hesitated, as though debating whether to speak. "Leyla... I don't know how to say this, but there's a lot happening behind the scenes. Murat's facing some serious challenges."

Her eyes widened. "What kind of challenges?"

"There are... rumors," I said carefully. "About his business. Investors are nervous, and it's creating a lot of pressure."

Leyla's hand flew to her mouth. "Why didn't he tell me? I could've helped!"

"Maybe he didn't want to worry you," I said gently. "But he needs support now more than ever. Try to talk to him again. Let him know you're there for him."

She nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "I will. Thank you, Ali. You've been such a good friend to us."

I gave her a small, reassuring smile. "That's what I'm here for."

---

Ali's Perspective

With Murat's business crumbling and Leyla growing more concerned by the day, my plan was unfolding perfectly. The empire Murat had built was cracking under the pressure, and his personal relationships were strained to the breaking point.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Leyla's unwavering faith in me was a constant reminder of what I was sacrificing in my pursuit of revenge. Her trust, her kindness—they were collateral damage, casualties of a war she didn't even know was being waged.

But I couldn't stop now. The endgame was in sight, and I intended to see it through, no matter the cost.

---

As I left Murat's home that night, I knew the first strike had hit its mark. Murat was on the brink, his business hanging by a thread. His growing paranoia had already driven a wedge between him and his supporters, unraveling the foundation of everything he had built. His empire was crumbling, and it was only a matter of time before it all came crashing down.

The first phase of my plan had been executed flawlessly. Murat's business was under siege, and his once-unshakable confidence was nothing more than a memory. But this was only the beginning. There were more strikes to come, each one precisely calculated to dismantle his world, piece by piece.

As I walked through the quiet streets of Istanbul, a grim satisfaction settled over me. The game was unfolding exactly as I had planned, and I was resolute in seeing it through to the end. Ali Demir was merely the face of my revenge, but it was Iskender Yilmaz who would deliver the final blow.