Chapter Two: One Black Badge for One Fallen Genius

Forged page. Printed three years after the archive date. Original location: former chairman's safe, Hengchuan Precision. The clock read 8:20. One hour and forty minutes remained before bidding began. Jiming closed the file. “We go to Hengchuan. If we recover the original, we earn a seat at the table.” “No,” Yanqiu said. “Afraid?” “I mean, if we're taking a seat”—she looked toward the Yunjing tower outside—“we won't settle for permission to bid. Their chosen buyer is leaving empty-handed.”