The morning sun hovered lazily over the jagged peaks of the Adirondacks, spilling gold across an exclusive mountain lodge that looked less like a retreat and more like a well-kept secret for people who'd never heard the word budget. Helicopters thudded overhead, rotors chopping through the crisp air as they ferried in guests who treated private aviation the way normal people treated ride-hailing apps. Each landing delivered another wave of tech moguls, venture capitalists, and industry overlords—men and women who stepped out with the serene confidence of people who routinely bought companies before breakfast.
Luxury SUVs prowled the winding gravel roads, engines purring like satisfied predators. Tinted windows reflected snow-dusted peaks as doors opened to reveal tailored linen shirts, minimalist watches worth more than houses, and designer sneakers engineered to look casual while silently screaming generational wealth.
