Back at the office, Dahlia settled into the executive chair behind her desk. Her fingers drummed a silent rhythm on its smooth surface as she focused on the screen.

The briefing from Lyra showed that pressure from Dash Corporation, backed by the Ballard family, was rapidly mounting.

After a moment's consideration, Dahlia stopped hesitating. She picked up her phone, scrolled to a number she rarely dialed yet knew by heart, and pressed call. The line rang several times before connecting.

The vo