Becca
My phone explodes before I even finish my coffee.
Notifications.
Emails.
News alerts.
I stare at the screen and slowly smile.
Well.
That escalated faster than expected.
The headline sits at the top of my inbox like a glowing neon sign.
HALE INDUSTRIES UNDER INVESTOR SCRUTINY AFTER LEAKED DOCUMENTS
My thumb taps the article.
The financial reports are already circulating online.
Investors are panicking.
Analysts are speculating.
And Stephen?
He probably had the worst morning of his life.
I lean back in my chair at the small café near the office, letting the chaos unfold.
The barista calls someone’s order.
Cars pass outside.
Normal morning energy.
Meanwhile, a corporate empire is quietly catching fire.
My phone buzzes again.
Jace.
I answer immediately.
“You survi
