First Million-Dollar Room

"I won't be your paid billboard. If I write, I write what I believe. If you want approval rights, hire PR. If you want credibility, risk honesty." Colin stared at him as if witnessing a public suicide. Marcus laughed once, delighted despite himself. Leena's gaze did not move. Then she leaned back. "Fine," she said. "No approval rights. But if you misrepresent my company, I will make your life educational." "Fair." "Twelve thousand." "Ten," Ethan said. "I need to keep rent money." This time Marcus laughed hard enough that even Colin smiled. At 2:16 p.m., Ethan wired $10,000 into the HelixGrid SPV. It was reckless, illiquid, and terrifying.