**Jiang City – 3:00 A.M.**
Sophie Zhi awoke to the buzz in her skull.
**SYSTEM NOTICE: CRITICAL DIRECTIVE**
> “EMOTION HARVEST INCOMPLETE. HATE LEVEL AT 63%.
>
> FINAL ULTIMATUM ACTIVATED.
>
> COMPLETE OBJECTIVE IN 48 HOURS OR CARDIAC SHUTDOWN WILL INITIATE FOR PRIMARY HOST AND SECONDARY NODE."
>
> *–Timer started: 47:59:59*
Her heart seized.
She ran to Leo's room.
He was still breathing, curled around his plush tiger, face peaceful.
But she felt it now—faint, rhythmic pulses humming beneath her skin, echoed in the faint glow from the implant scanner by her bedside.
She collapsed to the floor, hand over her heart, trying not to scream.
---
**Later That Morning – Ethan's Apartment**
She arrived without knocking.
Ethan blinked at the sight of her—sweati
