Chapter 51: Crosswell Counterstrike

The regulatory delay hit the market at 8:12 a.m.

It arrived wrapped in neutrality. A “temporary review.” A procedural pause issued through the Port Authority’s oversight committee, phrased in language so carefully sanitized it disguised intent as caution.

Within three minutes, Crosswell Dominion stock dipped.

Within five, analysts began speculating.

By eight seventeen, competitors were already circling.

Nathaniel Crosswell read the notice once.

Then again.

Then he closed the file.

“Seal the flo