They thought he was just a rising name. He was hunting for a gun.

He wanted a harder shield. Then Hank finally moved. One of Hank’s large funds started questioning Iron Curve’s client quality in public, suggesting Darren’s growth was a bundle of short-term projects dressed up as a method. At the same time, several prospects that were already close to signing suddenly began dragging their feet, as if an invisible hand had pressed down on the line. Lucy pushed the dashboard toward him. “New leads are down forty percent.” “The market didn’t cool off,” Matt said. “Someone closed the door.” Darren stared at the chart for a long time. He understood then that winning the first trade and buying the first company had changed his status. From here on, people would not see luck. They would see a threat.