Novel

Chapter 10: The Final Negotiation

Elara confronts the board with evidence of the rigged merger, forcing Julian to grant her access to the audit logs. In the subterranean vault, she confronts him about his true motives, only to realize the merger is a trap she can weaponize. She forces a renegotiation of the contract, shifting from a scapegoat to the architect of the Vane collapse, and Julian accepts the new, dangerous terms.