“Jason,” she said, her tone calm but expectant. “What did you find out?”

“It’s a big deal though ,” his voice came through low, almost as if he were leaning in conspiratorially. “I dug into the deal Julian’s family is chasing. You’re not going to believe this, the terms are garbage. It’s a patchwork contract dressed up to look lucrative, but the numbers bleed red the moment you scratch the surface. And their so-called partners? Ghost companies.”

Pearl’s lips parted into a slow, deliberate smile, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. She leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, the movement unhurried. “So it’s...