Present Day - Saturday Morning, 6 AM
The emergency board meeting convenes in Vale Tech's conference room before sunrise, the Manhattan skyline still dark against the windows.
Aria sits at the head of the table, looking at faces she's trusted for three years, wondering if any of them knew this was coming.
"The offer is three billion dollars," David Kim says, sliding the official documents across the polished table. "Fifteen percent above our current market valuation."
"From a company that doesn't exist," Sarah Martinez adds, her voice tight with anger. "Hart Industries Acquisition Group was incorporated in Delaware exactly seventy-two hours ago."
Aria stares at the letterhead that bears Leon's name, feeling nauseous.
"Who's behind it?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out. The she
