Novel

Chapter 5: The Producer's Gamble

Jia, wrists raw from restraints, stalls Vane in his office while oxygen levels drop. Elias drops from the vent, accesses the terminal, and downloads proof that Patient 402’s death was a successful Project Lazarus conversion trial funded by hospital black-budget money. Jia refuses to hide, insisting on using the studio’s live override to broadcast. Elias hides again as Vane returns, realizes the file survived the purge, and spots the blood on the vent. Jia prepares to go live while her planted camera captures the damning file name.