First Customer

1. Nora Vale receives anonymous packet claiming Ethan Cole paid for tomorrow's headlines. 2. Packet contains two true details and one fabricated bank record. 3. Horizon Gate Capital opens quiet short basket against companies linked to HelixGrid. 4. Cable producer offers Ethan live segment at 7:40 p.m. 5. Personal note: refuse the segment unless you want fame to choose your enemies for you. Ethan showed the message to no one. That rule had become muscle. At 5:11, Nora's phone buzzed. She read the screen, and her face changed by one degree. Not shock. Confirmation. "Someone just sent me something," she said. "About me?" "About everyone." Ethan felt the room tighten.