The statement hit every financial outlet within the hour, Weston Holt's careful, lawyered denial spreading fast, painting himself as a legitimate businessman blindsided by association with a man now facing federal fraud charges and an active manhunt.

"It's smart," Reagan admitted grimly, reading the statement for the fourth time on her tablet. "If shareholders believe Holt's bid stands entirely apart from Julian's vendetta, they might still vote for it on financial merits alone. He's trying to save the deal by sacrificing the partnership publicly."

"Then we make sure they don't believe it," Sterling said, exhaustion carved deep into every line of his face after the apartment, after the letter, after...