Chapter 108: The Moment of No Return
The clock was no longer neutral.
Every second carried weight now.
Measured.
Counted.
Closing in.
---
Scarlett stood by the window, the city lights stretching endlessly below, but for the first time since arriving in New York, she did not see the beauty of it.
Only the scale.
How wide everything could spread.
How fast everything could fall apart.
Behind her, the room had turned into something else entirely.
Not a private space.
Not a place for unfinished conversations.
But a war room.
---
Rachel moved with quiet efficiency, tablet in hand, already coordinating with legal and media teams.
"Two outlets are holding the story," she said. "They are waiting for confirmation before publishing."
Julian stood near his desk, sleeves still rolled, his presence steady, controlled, but sharper than before.
"Names," he said.
Rachel read quickly. "One international. One local but aggressive. Both credible enough to cause impact."
