The world did not notice the moment it changed again. There were no alerts. No markets trembling. No leaders stepping forward with grave expressions. And that, Aria realized, was the proof that it was finally working. She stood in the lecture hall long after the students had left, the echo of their questions still hanging in the air. They had argued today—about transparency, about accountability, about whether power could ever exist without corruption. None of them had known they were debating her past. She erased the board slowly. Not because she needed to. Because letting things end cleanly mattered. Damon was waiting outside, leaning against the car, tie loosened, expression thoughtful. “You stayed late,” he said. “They were curious,” Aria replied. “That’s always dangerous.” He smiled. “That’s always necessary.” They drove home in companionable silence, the city lights blurring past them. Reed Global’s name still existed—but it no longer dominated headlines. It operated
Last Updated : 2026-01-26 Read more