Chapter 20 - Whispers Of A Deeper Conspiracy Echo Across Town

Late one evening after Ethan had gone to sleep, Claire sat reviewing corporate merger documents in her quiet home office.
The television in the background was tuned to a late-night financial news broadcast covering the aftermath of the trial.
Suddenly, the news anchor’s voice cut off mid-sentence, replaced by a strange, automated emergency broadcast signal tone.
The screen flickered black before a distorted, encrypted data string flashed across the display in glowing green text.
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Claire stood up from her desk, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized the exact cryptographic signature from Richard’s laptop.
“You thought the river took me, Claire... but games in America always have a sequel,” a computerized voice whispered.