relief settle. When Giovanna's smile finally softened into a look o

w you have to tell me. This fifty-million-dollar thing D

, in a low, steady voice, she told Sloane everything. The scene at the gala. Th

h each detail. When Giovanna finished, she

histle. "Holy shit, Gio.

t fifty million? That's not pocket change. How a

na said, her gaze stea

trust left to her by her biological grandparents-a fact the Brooks family had conveniently ign

bets had pa

pre-IPO, but its valuation is through the roof. The shares are worth more th

ying venture capitalist this whole t

"In the Brooks house, I learned you always

My trust fund... I can get you a few million in liquid cas

y, placing a hand on her friend's arm. "Sloane, thank

ne understood. She squeezed Giovanna's hand, her eyes

But when you pull this off-and you will-I am throwing you the most epic, mo

a real laugh aga

of quiet focus. Giovanna pulled her sleek, minimalist la

becoming sharp, focused. "Time to

stark, black interface. It required a multi-factor authe

er. "What is this? Looks like

investors and traders," Giovanna explaine

. Her usernam

dow. The recipient's username w

met, never spoken. I don't know his real name, his age, or where he lives. But we've exchanged mark

ranger with a deal this big?" Sloane

keyboard. "But my gut tells me he's the only one who can do what

ep breath and

ortion of her seed-round shares in AetherChip. She framed it as a portfolio reb

message disappea

avy with anticipation. Her entire future was balanced on t

er, a notification pinged on

essage.