The room didn't breathe.
Hands hovered, half-raised, when the door opened and the security guard stepped in with a trembling Maya. The phone in his palm vibrated insistently; on the screen, a single name glowed in white letters: S.
[Ding!]
Event: Procedural Recess Granted
Status:
- Attention: 35/100
- Survival Probability: 39%
- Meeting Timer: 00:00:30 (paused)
- Leak Timer: 00:09:40
"Point of order, Mr. Chairman," Elara said, her voice cutting the thick silence. "New evidence materially affecting market integrity has just entered the room. I request a three-minute recess to place it on the record."
The Chairman, Mr. Edgerton, looked from the terrified assistant to the impatient board members, his expression grim. "Three minutes. No more."
Elara didn't waste a second. She turned to Maya, her tone firm but not cruel. "The access log shows user maya.assistant exported the neutral statement draft at 04:28:13 and forwarded it to a non-corporate address. The leak article was posted at 04:34:19. It contains the phrase 'emotional collapse,' which was only used in a limited verbal briefing at 04:15." She held the young woman's gaze. "Who is 'S'?"
Maya's composure shattered. Tears welled in her eyes. "I didn't think they'd really publish it! 'S' said it was just leverage—a way to pressure the Sterlings. Then they wired a 'source fee.' I forwarded the draft because… because they already had the headline from the brief. I'm so sorry."
[Thrum…]
Side Flag: Identify the Mole — COMPLETED
Progress: 95% → 100%
Reward: Survival +4%
Penalty Avoided: −6%
Timer: 00:08:55
A wave of relief, so potent it felt like a physical force, washed through Elara. One threat neutralized.
"The floor recognizes Ms. Vance," the Chairman said, his voice heavy. "Place your evidence on the record."
Elara did, reading the technical artifacts aloud with cold clarity. The board members listened, their initial outrage softening into sober calculation. A leak was one thing; an internal mole manipulated by an external player was a far more sinister threat to all their interests.
"Thank you," the Chairman said. "We will now proceed to the vote on the twenty-four-hour deferral motion. All in favor?"
Hands went up. Slowly, then with more conviction. Elara counted, her heart in her throat. It was close, but a narrow majority was clear.
"The motion is carried. The minutes will reflect: Sterling Corp.'s acknowledgment of a joint audit, the agreement for coordinated disclosure, and a twenty-four-hour deferral on all related motions is hereby adopted. This emergency session is adjourned."
[Ding!]
Event: Board Vote — Deferral PASSED (24h)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 39% → 45% (Δ +6%)
- Meeting Timer: 00:00:00 (session adjourned)
Note: Sub-Objective A achieved (+6%). Coordinated disclosure preserved.
As the board members began to gather their things, a low voice spoke from the sidelines. "An efficient resolution."
Liam Sterling stood, straightening his cufflinks. His gaze was a tangible weight on her. "Sterling Corp. does not condone unauthorized disclosures," he stated, the perfect corporate line that admitted nothing and denied nothing. "We will, of course, be conducting our own internal review." The unspoken question hung in the air: Was it you? Or did you simply outmaneuver the real culprit?
[Ding!]
Event: Male Lead Interaction (On Site)
Status:
- Attention: 35/100 → 39/100 (Δ +4)
- Survival Probability: 45% → 44% (Δ −1%)
Note: Competence observed; curiosity increasing.
Elara merely nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She had won the battle, but his intensified focus was a heavier price than she'd anticipated.
The room was almost empty when the phone, now placed on the table, buzzed again. Not a call this time, but a text message. The screen lit up, the single letter S stark against the background. Elara picked it up, her blood running cold as she read the words aloud to the remaining few.
"'The first drop was a courtesy. The next, containing your father's private bank routing codes, goes live in thirty minutes. Unless you come alone. Oaks Garage, Level Negative Two. You have one hour. Bring this phone.'"
A new, more dangerous clock had started. The reprieve was over.
[Thrum…]
Side Mission Unlocked: Flip the Handler "S"
Objective: Identify/engage the handler; secure a cessation of leaks or capture definitive proof of extortion.
Failure Penalty: Survival −8%
Mission Timer: 01:00:00
Elara stared at the message, then at the timers burning in her vision. She had one hour to walk into a trap or lose everything.