Chapter 28. The Ledger Reckoning

Harper watched the city lights shimmer through the penthouse window—a symphony of opportunities and threats. The board session earlier had been brutal, but decisive: Lilah’s collar had been removed, her Clause 5.7 access revoked. It was a public vindication, but Harper knew the night was just a pause, not an endpoint.

Knox entered behind her, drink in hand: a smooth amber whiskey, no ice, no hesitation. He handed her the glass. Their eyes met. His were relieved; hers gleamed with cold calculation.

“Was that enough?” she asked softly.

He exhaled. “For now. The board closed ranks after seeing the data. No one wants to bet against transparency.”

She ran a fingertip over the glass rim. “They cheered me by new margin—but tomorrow, they’ll measure by investment yield.”

Knox leaned against the counter, still intact in his suit but with a loosened tie. “Then we show them that margin.”

Her jaw set. “First step: strengthen the global infrastructure. The Lon