Morning broke like a wound.
A blood-red sun rose over the coastline, casting a sickly glow on the Cruz mansion. Smoke drifted from the east wing where the generators had blown. The air smelled of salt, iron, and ruin.
Amara stood by the shattered windows of Sebastian’s office, watching helicopters swarm the skyline. News drones hovered above the estate like vultures. Sirens wailed from below — law enforcement, media, opportunists, all circling the carcass of an empire.
On the massive screen beside her, the world was already burning.
Breaking News: Global Data Leak Exposes Cruz Holdings Corruption Network.
International Banks Freeze Assets Linked to the Cruz Family.
CEO Sebastian Cruz Under Investigation for Cyberterrorism and Genetic Crimes.
Amara’s reflection in the glass was pale
