CHAPTER 13: THE FRAME

The following morning.

"IMANI SHAWN USES PROXY TECH TO BUILD HER EMPIRE"

The headline burned bright on every news screen in the city.

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The sharp ring of Imani Shawn's phone shattered the silence of her office.

She glanced down. Twelve missed calls.

"Huh?"

Seven from her Public Relations Director. Three from Legal. Two from an unknown number.

A strange, cold knot tightened in her stomach.

She had been buried in code for 14 hours straight. She hadn't touched her office line all morning.

Before she could dial back, the phone rang again. Legal Counsel.

"Ma'am, you need to turn on the news. Right now!"

Imani...