Charles’s POV

The world doesn’t reward honesty. It rewards control and I’ve never lost mine for long.

I used to admire silence, the kind that comes before a market crash or a confession.

But now, silence feels different. Too loaded and Too expectant.

It’s the kind that comes before a rebellion.

The morning reports were stacked neatly across my desk numbers, projections, press leaks, and one headline I hadn’t authorized:

“Investigative Journalist Found Dead After Corruption ...