Jared walked up the steps to the podium, the spotlight tracking his movement, his smile wide and confident.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a new era of media,” Jared’s voice boomed through the state-of-the-art surround sound system.

The crowd erupted into polite applause.

The promotional video began to play, showing fast-paced clips of news anchors, dramatic television scenes, and high-profile charity events.

I looked across the room and spotted Assistant District Attorney Vance standing near the main bar, accompanied by two men in dark suits who were watching the stage with intense focus.

The promotional video drew to a close, fading to black.

This was the moment Jared was supposed to speak, but the screens did not return to the corporate logo.

Instead, a loud, sharp burst of static echoed through the speakers, making several guests winced and cover their ears.

Jared frowned, tapping the microphone and looking up toward the projection booth with a look of growing annoyance.

Then, a voice cut through the static, clear and terrifyingly loud.

“She’s becoming a liability, Dr. Silas,” Jared’s voice echoed from the speakers, shaking the crystal champagne flutes on the tables.