“What… what’s going on?” Marcus stammered, lowering his glass, his smile faltering as he read the CEO’s face. “Is there a market emergency?”

His mother let out a choked gasp, her hand flying to her mouth at the sight of her son assaulting his wife in the study. His father shot up so fast his chair tipped and crashed to the floor.

“You foolish, corrupt boy,” his father growled, shaking with rage and social horror. “What have you done?”

The CEO turned his head slowly toward Marcus, his eyes cold. “Marcus, you’re stripped of your partnership, effective immediately. Do not return to the office.

Our corporate counsel will be waiting for you — with federal investigators — at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“Wait — no! This is a mistake! It’s a hack!” Marcus’s voice cracked into panic. He yanked out his own phone and finally saw the multi-agency package that had gone out across his entire network.