Northriver, outside the Sky Emperor Hotel.
The chaos of the lobby had faded, replaced by the humid warmth of the city afternoon. Tia Sutton stood on the curb, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. She was trying to solve a puzzle that had missing pieces, but her desperate need for a logical, safe explanation was guiding her hand.
Suddenly, her expression cleared. A look of dawning realization—an epiphany—washed over her delicate features. It was as if a lightbulb had been switched on in a dark room.
She turned to Perry Bailey, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and profound gratitude.
"Young Master Bailey," she breathed, her voice trembling slightly. "I understand now. For you to move a titan like Victor Zane... to make him suppress his rage and turn against his own lieutenant...
