The digital ticker for the Lim Consortium halted.
On the main monitor in the penthouse study, the scrolling green numbers froze, flashing briefly before the entire data line flatlined into a harsh stripe of crimson. A system notification popped up in the corner of the screen: TRADING SUSPENDED – REGULATORY INJUNCTION.
Valerie Chen’s voice came through the secure desktop speaker. The corporate litigator sounded crisp and entirely awake, despite the time difference in Singapore.
"The appellate judge signed the freeze order ten minutes ago," Valerie reported. "The preservation notices have been served to the Lim Consortium's primary holding banks across Southeast Asia. Their domestic credit lines are severed, and their offshore routing accounts are locked. Not a single dollar is moving out
