After several rings, the call finally connected at the last second.

"Why not let Chase M. handle it?"

"What's the point?" The voice on the other end remained lazy and unbothered. "This whole thing was just about timing the rumors right. If we don't drop it now, people online will catch on, and more holes will show up. It'll lose its punch."

"So that's it? I put in all that work, and you're telling me we're done?"

"You? Work?" The other person laughed harshly. "All you ...