The quiet back-and-forth of the late Wednesday afternoon traffic in downtown Aurelia gave no hint of the digital storm brewing beneath the surface.
On the executive floor of Apex Plaza, Jake slipped his phone back into his pocket, completely unbothered by the continuous, muted vibration against his palm. He had said what he wanted to say. He understood the market's psychology better than anyone—and more importantly, he knew how the millions following his every word would react.
He turned back to his desk, picking up the secure direct line to Sterling International Bank.
Across town, inside the executive suite of Sterling's private wealth division, Silas Thorne had barely set down his pen when the high-priority line on his desk terminal illuminated. Silas picked it up on the first chime.
"Mr. Rivers," Silas greeted, his tone refined and razor-sharp. "I see you've made your official public return."
