Chapter 42 Threads Of Deceit

• The late afternoon sun burned over Phoenix, but inside the Lancaster Global headquarters, a chill gripped the air. Sandra stood at the head of the conference table, her arms crossed, eyes fixed on the projection screen displaying the terms of the merger with Echelon Dynamics.
• “None of this adds up,” she said, voice low and tense.
• Steve leaned against the edge of the table, his suit jacket draped over a chair, sleeves rolled up. “They’re offering us a favorable stock exchange, full autonomy in our board decisions, and access to new Asian markets. It’s too clean. Almost... crafted.”