:root {
  /* Color Palette - Warm Editorial Luxury */
  --bg-dark: #11100C;
  --bg-light: #F2EBE1;
  
  --primary-gold: #C6A26B;
  --primary-gold-hover: #D8B47D;
  
  --text-on-dark: #F2EBE1;
  --text-on-light: #11100C;
  
  --border-gold: rgba(198, 162, 107, 0.3);
  --border-dark: rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.1);
  --border-light: rgba(242, 235, 225, 0.1);
  
  /* Typography (Modern Tech-Fin Luxury) */
  --font-serif: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  --font-sans: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  
  /* Fluid Typography */
  --text-hero: clamp(48px, 5vw, 64px);
  --text-h2: clamp(36px, 3.5vw, 44px);
  --text-h3: clamp(24px, 3vw, 36px);
  --text-body: 16px;
  
  /* Spacing */
  --section-padding-y: 120px;
  
  --z-header: 1000;
}

/* =========================================
   Reset & Base
   ========================================= */
* {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

html {
  scroll-behavior: smooth;
}

body {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: var(--text-body);
  line-height: 1.6;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
  background-color: var(--bg-dark); /* Default body to dark */
  overflow-x: hidden;
}

/* Typography Defaults */
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-weight: 500;
  line-height: 1.2;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}

h1 { font-size: var(--text-hero); letter-spacing: -3px; }
h2 { font-size: var(--text-h2); letter-spacing: -2px; }
h3 { font-size: var(--text-h3); letter-spacing: -1px; }

p {
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}

a {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

img {
  max-width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
}

/* =========================================
   Section Themes
   ========================================= */
.section-dark {
  background-color: var(--bg-dark);
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
}

.section-dark h1, .section-dark h2, .section-dark h3, .section-dark h4 {
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
}

.section-light {
  background-color: var(--bg-light);
  color: var(--text-on-light);
}

.section-light h1, .section-light h2, .section-light h3, .section-light h4 {
  color: var(--text-on-light);
}

.section-padding {
  padding: var(--section-padding-y) 0;
}

.text-gold { color: var(--primary-gold) !important; }

/* Small labels (All caps, wide tracking) */
.label-small {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 3px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  margin-bottom: 8px; /* Tighter alignment */
  display: block;
}

/* =========================================
   Buttons
   ========================================= */
.btn-gold {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background-color: var(--primary-gold);
  color: var(--bg-dark);
  padding: 12px 40px; /* Sharper padding */
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}

.btn-gold:hover {
  background-color: var(--primary-gold-hover);
}

/* Pill Buttons */
.btn-pill {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  padding: 12px 28px;
  border-radius: 50px;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 600;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.btn-pill-white {
  background-color: #ffffff;
  color: #11100C;
  border: 1px solid #ffffff;
}

.btn-pill-white:hover {
  background-color: #f2ebe1;
}

.btn-pill-outline {
  background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
  color: #ffffff;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
}

.btn-pill-outline:hover {
  background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
}

/* =========================================
   Header & Navigation
   ========================================= */
header {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  padding: 32px 0;
  z-index: var(--z-header);
  transition: all 0.4s ease;
  background: transparent;
  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
}

header.scrolled {
  background: var(--bg-dark);
  padding: 20px 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-light);
}

.brand-logo {
  font-family: var(--font-serif);
  font-size: 24px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  letter-spacing: 1px;
}

.nav-links {
  display: flex;
  gap: 48px; /* Wider spacing */
  list-style: none;
  align-items: center;
  margin: 0;
}

.nav-link {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 14px; /* Smaller, more elegant */
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
}

.nav-link:hover {
  color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.header .logo {
  line-height: 1;
}

.header .logo i {
  font-size: 20px;
  margin-right: 4px;
}

.header .logo img {
  max-height: 36px;
  margin-right: 8px;
}

.header .logo h1 {
  font-size: 24px;
  margin: 0;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--heading-color);
}

.header .btn-getstarted,
.header .btn-getstarted:focus {
  color: var(--contrast-color);
  background: var(--accent-color);
  font-size: 14px;
  padding: 8px 20px;
  margin: 0 0 0 30px;
  border-radius: 50px;
  transition: 0.3s;
}

.header .btn-getstarted:hover,
.header .btn-getstarted:focus:hover {
  color: var(--contrast-color);
  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent-color), transparent 15%);
}

@media (max-width: 1200px) {
  .header {
    padding-top: 10px;
  }

  .header .header-container {
    margin-left: 10px;
    margin-right: 10px;
    padding: 10px 5px 10px 15px;
  }

header .logo {
    order: 1!important;
  }

header .btn-getstarted {
    order: 2!important;
    margin: 0 10px 0 0;
  }

header .navmenu {
    order: 3;
  }
}

/*--------------------------------------------------------------
# Navigation Menu
--------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* Navmenu - Desktop */
@media (min-width: 1200px) {
  .navmenu {
    padding: 0;
  }

  .navmenu ul {
    margin: 0;
    padding: 0;
    display: flex;
    list-style: none;
    align-items: center;
  }

  .navmenu li {
    position: relative;
  }

  .navmenu a,
  .navmenu a:focus {
    color: var(--nav-color);
    padding: 10px 15px;
    font-size: 15px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    white-space: nowrap;
    transition: 0.3s;
  }

  .navmenu a i,
  .navmenu a:focus i {
    font-size: 12px;
    line-height: 0;
    margin-left: 5px;
    transition: 0.3s;
  }

  .navmenu li:last-child a {
    padding-right: 0;
  }

  .navmenu li:hover>a,
  .navmenu .active,
  .navmenu .active:focus {
    color: var(--primary-gold);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul {
    margin: 0;
    padding: 10px 0;
   background: var(--bg-dark);
    display: block;
    position: absolute;
    visibility: hidden;
    left: 14px;
    top: 130%;
    opacity: 0;
    transition: 0.3s;
    border-radius: 4px;
    z-index: 99;
    box-shadow: 0px 0px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul li {
    min-width: 200px;
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul a {
    padding: 10px 20px;
    font-size: 15px;
    text-transform: none;
    color: var(--nav-dropdown-color);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul a i {
    font-size: 12px;
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul a:hover,
  .navmenu .dropdown ul .active:hover,
  .navmenu .dropdown ul li:hover>a {
    color: var(--primary-gold);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown:hover>ul {
    opacity: 1;
    top: 100%;
    visibility: visible;
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown .dropdown ul {
    top: 0;
    left: -90%;
    visibility: hidden;
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown .dropdown:hover>ul {
    opacity: 1;
    top: 0;
    left: -100%;
    visibility: visible;
  }
}

/* Navmenu - Mobile */
@media (max-width: 1199px) {
  .mobile-nav-toggle {
    color: var(--nav-color);
    font-size: 28px;
    line-height: 0;
    margin-right: 10px;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: color 0.3s;
  }

  .navmenu {
    padding: 0;
    z-index: 9997;
  }

  .navmenu ul {
    display: none;
    list-style: none;
    position: absolute;
    inset: 60px 20px 20px 20px;
    padding: 10px 0;
    margin: 0;
    border-radius: 6px;
    background-color: var(--bg-dark);
    overflow-y: auto;
    transition: 0.3s;
    z-index: 9998;
    box-shadow: 0px 0px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
  }

  .navmenu a,
  .navmenu a:focus {
    color: var(--nav-dropdown-color);
    padding: 10px 20px;
    font-family: var(--nav-font);
    font-size: 17px;
    font-weight: 500;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    white-space: nowrap;
    transition: 0.3s;
  }

  .navmenu a i,
  .navmenu a:focus i {
    font-size: 12px;
    line-height: 0;
    margin-left: 5px;
    width: 30px;
    height: 30px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    border-radius: 50%;
    transition: 0.3s;
    background-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent-color), transparent 90%);
  }

  .navmenu a i:hover,
  .navmenu a:focus i:hover {
    background-color: var(--accent-color);
    color: var(--contrast-color);
  }

  .navmenu a:hover,
  .navmenu .active,
  .navmenu .active:focus {
    color: var(--nav-dropdown-hover-color);
  }

  .navmenu .active i,
  .navmenu .active:focus i {
    background-color: var(--accent-color);
    color: var(--contrast-color);
    transform: rotate(180deg);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul {
    position: static;
    display: none;
    z-index: 99;
    padding: 10px 0;
    margin: 10px 20px;
    background-color: var(--nav-dropdown-background-color);
    border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--default-color), transparent 90%);
    box-shadow: none;
    transition: all 0.5s ease-in-out;
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown ul ul {
    background-color: rgba(33, 37, 41, 0.1);
  }

  .navmenu .dropdown>.dropdown-active {
    display: block;
    background-color: rgba(33, 37, 41, 0.03);
  }

  .mobile-nav-active {
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .mobile-nav-active .mobile-nav-toggle {
    color: #fff;
    position: absolute;
    font-size: 32px;
    top: 15px;
    right: 15px;
    margin-right: 0;
    z-index: 9999;
  }

  .mobile-nav-active .navmenu {
    position: fixed;
    overflow: hidden;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(33, 37, 41, 0.8);
    transition: 0.3s;
  }

  .mobile-nav-active .navmenu>ul {
    display: block;
  }
}


/* =========================================
   Hero Section (Centered Fintech)
   ========================================= */
.hero-center {
  position: relative;
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  text-align: center;
  padding-top: 170px;
  padding-bottom: 120px;
  background-color: var(--bg-dark);
}

.hero-center-bg {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background-image: url('../images/hero.jpg');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: bottom center;
  opacity: 1;
  z-index: 1;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.hero-bg-video {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  z-index: 0;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1.15);
}

.hero-center-bg::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(to bottom, var(--bg-dark) 30%, transparent 80%);
}

.hero-content-center {
  max-width: 800px;
  width: 100%;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.pill-badge {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  padding: 6px 14px;
  border-radius: 50px;
  margin-bottom: 24px;
}

.hero-center h1 {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: clamp(36px, 3.8vw, 56px);
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: -1px;
  line-height: 1.15;
}

.hero-bottom-curve {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0;
  right: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 60px;
  background-color: var(--bg-light);
  border-top-left-radius: 40px;
  z-index: 5;
}

/* =========================================
   Trust Bar (Inside Hero)
   ========================================= */
.trust-bar-hero {
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border-radius: 16px;
  padding: 32px 0;
}

.trust-item {
  border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  padding: 0 24px;
  text-align: center;
}
.trust-item:last-child {
  border-right: none;
}

.trust-number {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 32px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: -1px;
  color: #fff;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
  line-height: 1;
}

.trust-label {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
}

/* =========================================
   Editorial Block (The Thesis)
   ========================================= */
.editorial-text {
  padding-right: 40px;
}

.editorial-img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  aspect-ratio: 4/5;
  object-fit: cover;
  filter: sepia(0.2) contrast(1.1); /* Adds a warm tone to images */
}

/* =========================================
   Sticky Scroll Allocations
   ========================================= */
.sticky-container {
  position: relative;
}

.sticky-image-wrapper {
  position: sticky;
  top: 140px; /* Offset to clear the header */
  height: calc(100vh - 200px); /* Make it tall, taking up most of viewport */
  min-height: 400px;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
}

.sticky-img {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.8s ease-in-out;
  filter: sepia(0.2) contrast(1.1);
}

.sticky-img.active {
  opacity: 1;
}

.sticky-text-block {
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
  padding: 0 40px;
}

/* =========================================
   Principles List (Why Us)
   ========================================= */
.principles-list {
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-gold);
}

.principle-item {
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-gold);
  padding: 40px 0;
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 32px;
}

.principle-icon {
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  font-size: 20px;
  margin-top: 4px;
}

.principle-title {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.sticky-col {
  position: sticky;
  top: 150px;
}

.principle-text {
  font-size: 15px;
  opacity: 0.9;
  margin: 0;
}

/* =========================================
   Principles Section Background
   ========================================= */
.principles-bg {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background-image: url('../images/pexels-khwanchai-4175028.jpg');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
  background-attachment: fixed;
  z-index: 0;
}

.principles-bg::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background-color: rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.88); /* Matches var(--bg-dark) with opacity */
  z-index: 1;
}

/* =========================================
   Process Timeline
   ========================================= */
.process-timeline {
  border-left: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
  padding-left: 40px;
  margin-left: 20px;
}

.process-item {
  position: relative;
  margin-bottom: 48px;
}
.process-item:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.process-dot {
  position: absolute;
  left: -44px;
  top: 6px;
  width: 8px;
  height: 8px;
  background-color: var(--primary-gold);
  border-radius: 50%;
}

.process-title {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.process-text {
  font-size: 15px;
  margin: 0;
  opacity: 0.8;
}

/* =========================================
   Footer
   ========================================= */
footer {
  padding: 100px 0 40px;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-gold);
}

.footer-col-title {
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  margin-bottom: 24px;
}

.footer-links {
  list-style: none;
}
.footer-links li {
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.footer-links a {
  font-size: 14px;
  opacity: 0.7;
}
.footer-links a:hover {
  opacity: 1;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
}

.footer-disclosure {
  margin-top: 60px;
  padding-top: 40px;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-light);
  font-size: 11px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  opacity: 0.5;
}

.footer-bottom {
  margin-top: 80px;
  padding-top: 32px;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-light);
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  font-size: 12px;
  opacity: 0.6;
}

/* Inner Page Styles */
.inner-page-header {
  padding-top: 180px;
  padding-bottom: 60px;
}
.inner-page-list {
  list-style-type: none;
  padding-left: 0;
}
.inner-page-list li {
  margin-bottom: 24px;
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 24px;
  opacity: 0.9;
}
.inner-page-list li::before {
  content: "•";
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 0;
  font-weight: bold;
/* Premium Cards */
}
.premium-card {
    padding: 40px;
    background: #ffffff;
    border: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
    border-radius: 4px;
    height: 100%;
    transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), box-shadow 0.4s ease, border-color 0.4s ease;
}
.premium-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-8px);
    box-shadow: 0 15px 40px rgba(17,16,12,0.08);
    border-color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.premium-card-dark {
    padding: 40px;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.02);
    border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
    border-radius: 4px;
    height: 100%;
    transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), background 0.4s ease, border-color 0.4s ease;
}
.premium-card-dark:hover {
    transform: translateY(-8px);
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
    border-color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.premium-number {
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
    font-size: 14px;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--primary-gold);
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    letter-spacing: 3px;
    display: inline-block;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-gold);
    padding-bottom: 8px;
}
.inner-hero {
    padding: 240px 0 160px 0;
    background-color: var(--bg-dark);
    background-image: 
        linear-gradient(rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.85), rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.95)),
        url('../images/hero.jpg'),
        linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px);
    background-size: cover, cover, 60px 60px, 60px 60px;
    background-position: center, center, center, center;
    position: relative;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(198, 162, 107, 0.15);
}
.inner-hero::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100px;
    background: linear-gradient(to top, var(--bg-dark), transparent);
    pointer-events: none;
}

/* Tile and Hero Utilities */
.tile-title {
    font-size: 22px;
    color: var(--primary-gold);
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.tile-row {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    padding-bottom: 16px;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
}
.tile-row:last-child {
    border-bottom: none;
    margin-bottom: 0;
    padding-bottom: 0;
}
.tile-label {
    opacity: 0.7;
    font-size: 13px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
}
.tile-value {
    font-weight: 600;
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
}
.hero-content {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
}
.hero-desc {
    max-width: 700px;
    line-height: 1.8;
}
.hero-divider {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 10%;
    right: 10%;
    height: 1px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(198,162,107,0.3), transparent);
}

/* Editorial Article List */
.editorial-article {
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-start;
    padding: 40px 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.editorial-article:hover {
    border-bottom-color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.editorial-article:hover .editorial-number {
    color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.editorial-number {
    font-family: var(--font-serif);
    font-size: 48px;
    font-weight: 300;
    line-height: 1;
    color: rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.2);
    margin-right: 40px;
    min-width: 60px;
    transition: color 0.3s ease;
}
.editorial-title {
    font-family: var(--font-serif);
    font-size: 28px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    color: var(--text-on-light);
    margin: 0;
    letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}
.gate-box {
    background: var(--bg-dark);
    border: 1px solid rgba(198, 162, 107, 0.3);
    padding: 60px 40px;
    border-radius: 4px;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}
.gate-box::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
    background-image: url('../images/white-pattern.jpg');
    opacity: 0.05;
    background-size: cover;
    pointer-events: none;
}
.bg-dark {
    background-color: var(--bg-dark) !important;
}

/* Luxury Accordion */
.faq-accordion {
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dark);
    padding: 30px 0;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.faq-accordion summary {
    font-family: var(--font-serif);
    font-size: 20px;
    font-weight: 400;
    color: var(--text-on-light);
    cursor: pointer;
    list-style: none;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
}
.faq-accordion summary::-webkit-details-marker {
    display: none;
}
.faq-accordion summary::after {
    content: '+';
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
    font-size: 28px;
    font-weight: 300;
    color: var(--primary-gold);
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}
.faq-accordion[open] summary::after {
    content: '−';
    transform: rotate(180deg);
}
.faq-accordion[open] summary {
    margin-bottom: 20px;
    color: var(--primary-gold);
}
.faq-answer {
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
    font-size: 15px;
    line-height: 1.8;
    color: rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.8);
    margin: 0;
    animation: accordionFade 0.4s ease forwards;
}
@keyframes accordionFade {
    from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-5px); }
    to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

/* Premium Form Elements */
.premium-form-container {
    background: #FFFFFF;
    padding: 60px;
    border: 1px solid rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.05);
    box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.03);
}
.premium-form .form-label {
    display: block;
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    color: var(--primary-gold);
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.premium-form .form-control,
.premium-form .form-select {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 10px 0 15px 0;
    font-family: var(--font-sans);
    font-size: 18px;
    color: var(--text-on-light);
    background-color: transparent;
    border: none;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(17, 16, 12, 0.2);
    border-radius: 0;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
    margin-bottom: 35px;
}
.premium-form .form-control:focus,
.premium-form .form-select:focus {
    outline: none;
    border-bottom-color: var(--primary-gold);
    box-shadow: 0 1px 0 0 var(--primary-gold);
}
.premium-form .form-select {
    appearance: none;
    background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='16' height='16' fill='%23C6A26B' class='bi bi-chevron-down' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3E%3Cpath fill-rule='evenodd' d='M1.646 4.646a.5.5 0 0 1 .708 0L8 10.293l5.646-5.647a.5.5 0 0 1 .708.708l-6 6a.5.5 0 0 1-.708 0l-6-6a.5.5 0 0 1 0-.708z'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    background-position: right 0px center;
    background-size: 16px;
    cursor: pointer;
}
/* =========================================
   Animations
   ========================================= */
.reveal {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(30px);
  transition: all 1s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.reveal.active {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
}

/* =========================================
   Responsive
   ========================================= */
@media (max-width: 991px) {
  .hero-bottom-curve {
    height: 40px;
    border-top-left-radius: 20px;
  }
  .editorial-text {
    padding-right: 0;
    margin-bottom: 40px;
  }
  .nav-links {
    display: none;
  }
  .trust-item {
    border-right: none;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
    padding: 24px 0;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .trust-item:last-child {
    border-bottom: none;
  }
  .sticky-image-wrapper {
    position: relative;
    top: auto;
    height: 300px;
    margin-bottom: 40px;
  }
  .sticky-text-block {
    min-height: 80vh;
    padding: 0;
  }
  .sticky-col {
    position: relative;
    top: auto;
  }
}

/* =========================================
   Utility Classes (Replacing Inline Styles)
   ========================================= */
.max-w-xs { max-width: 300px; }
.max-w-sm { max-width: 400px; }
.max-w-md { max-width: 450px; }
.max-w-lg { max-width: 500px; }
.max-w-xl { max-width: 780px; text-align:center; }

.opacity-80 { opacity: 0.8; }
.opacity-90 { opacity: 0.9; }

.text-15 { font-size: 15px; }
.text-13 { font-size: 13px; opacity: 0.7; }

/* Components */
.btn-group {
  display: flex;
  gap: 40px; /* Enhanced gap as requested */
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  align-items: center;
}
.btn-group-center {
  justify-content: center;
}

.nav-link-inline { 
  text-transform: none; 
  letter-spacing: 0; 
}
.trust-number-small { 
  font-family: var(--font-sans); 
  font-weight: 700; 
  font-size: 32px; 
  letter-spacing: -1px;
  padding-top: 4px; 
}
.compliance-note { 
  font-size: 10px; 
  text-transform: uppercase; 
  letter-spacing: 2px; 
  opacity: 0.5; 
}
.thesis-quote { 
  font-family: var(--font-sans); 
  font-size: 20px; 
  font-weight: 500;
  line-height: 1.5;
  margin-top: 40px; 
}
.list-square { 
  list-style-type: square; 
  padding-left: 20px; 
  margin-top: 16px; 
  opacity: 0.9; 
}
.btn-gold-outline { 
  background: transparent; 
  border: 1px solid var(--text-on-light); 
  color: var(--text-on-light); 
}
.border-bottom-none { 
  border-bottom: none !important; 
}
.step-label { 
  margin-bottom: 4px; 
}

/* Newsletter Form */
.newsletter-form {
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-gold);
  padding-bottom: 8px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}
.newsletter-input {
  background: transparent;
  border: none;
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
  outline: none;
  flex-grow: 1;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 14px;
}
.newsletter-submit {
  background: transparent;
  border: none;
  color: var(--primary-gold);
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

/* =========================================
   Back to Top Button
   ========================================= */
.back-to-top {
  position: fixed;
  right: 30px;
  bottom: 30px;
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background-color: var(--primary-gold);
  color: #fff;
  transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out;
  visibility: hidden;
  opacity: 0;
  z-index: 996;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.back-to-top i {
  font-size: 24px;
  line-height: 0;
}

.back-to-top:hover {
  background-color: var(--primary-gold-hover);
  color: #fff;
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}

.back-to-top.active {
  visibility: visible;
  opacity: 1;
}

@media (max-width: 580.98px) {
  header .btn-getstarted
  {display: none;}
}