There was a misconception forming in public discourse now. A dangerous one. The misconception was that Elena Carter was reacting and that everything happening around Carter Holdings was personal, emotional and revenge-driven. Even Adrian had begun to believe that version of the story, at least, at first. But by the time he returned to his office after the conference, he understood something different. Terrifyingly different. Elena was not reacting, she was executing.
The difference became clear in the reports. Marcus laid them out carefully across Adrian’s desk like evidence in a case that had already been decided.
“This isn’t damage control,” Marcus said quietly.
Adrian didn’t look up immediately. “What is it then?”
Marcus hesitated. “System normalization.”
Adrian finally raised his
