Then a fluttering, rhythmic pulse. A beating heart. Fast, bright, and impossibly stubborn.

Chloe brought her free hand to her mouth, tears of profound relief and agonizing sorrow spilling down her cheeks in total silence.

I squeezed her hand, anchoring her to the earth, then turned my attention back to the screen.

My second message went to the executive chair of the Brooks-Aurelia Foundation Board.

Activate the emergency morals clause. Remove Julian Thorne from all fiduciary access immediately. Freeze all operational accounts tied to the Thorne Group pending a federal audit.

The reply arrived in twelve seconds, devoid of pleasantries.