The news cycle refused to let him breathe.

Every morning for weeks, Liam Reyes woke up to his name plastered across headlines. Talk shows dissected the scaffolding collapse like vultures over carrion. Clips of the accident played on loop, anchors leaning forward with grim expressions as they speculated about negligence and inexperience.

“Was Liam Reyes reckless?” one asked.

“Or simply incompetent?” another countered.

On social media, the verdict had already been decided. Memes branded ...