Morning light filtered through the greenhouse roof, igniting the lush ferns and orchids in dappled gold. For Zora Su, the familiar scent of earth and growth offered a fragile comfort—but today, it would become the stage for her most harrowing trial yet.
Dr. Lin Yuan stood beside a sleek VR rig nestled between potted palms. Electrodes fanned across Zora's scalp, wires snaked into a portable simulator that hummed with dormant power. Sebastian Qiao lingered at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, gaze taut with concern.
“Are you sure about this?" he asked, voice low. His eyes darted to the clock: they had only one session before the next regulatory hearing.
Zora lifted a hand and touched the crown electrode—*I need closure,* she tapped on her chest. Though silent, her resolve rang clear
