The accusation spread faster than the truth ever could. By mid-morning, every major financial outlet carried the same headline in different forms. Ashford Group was now being linked to Horizon Logistics' hidden debt, not as a victim, but as a participant.
Seraphina stood in the strategy room, watching the damage unfold in real time. The stock dropped sharply, recovered slightly, then dipped again as uncertainty spread.
Lucien entered without speaking. He did not need to.
Seraphina already knew why he was there. "They moved first," she said.
Lucien nodded. "Yes."
Seraphina turned toward him. "He flipped the narrative," she continued. "Now it looks like we had prior knowledge because we were involved."
Lucien's expression hardened."And the board will believe it."
Seraphina shook her head. "No," she said. "They will question it."
Lucien crossed his arms. "That is not better."
Seraphina held his gaze. "It gives us a chance."
Lucien studied her. "Do you have what we need?"
