The next morning, the global media descended on Geneva.

Sophie’s public release of the original Firelight archive had set off a digital earthquake. Analysts confirmed the files were real, clean, and predated all Tribunal modifications. Experts were already finding traces of tampering done by Belinda’s labs under Project Echo Rewind — data planted to frame Sophie as emotionally unstable.

Councilor Vega slammed the Tribunal’s oak desk with his fist.

“She released proof, Davoren.”

Councilor Lian added, “You railroaded her. And you let Crawford’s influence poison our vote.”

Davoren stayed still, his face tight.

“We followed protocol.”

“You followed a script,” Lian snapped. “Written by men afraid of a woman who...