Novels by Dep Flair

The antiseptic smell of the hospital hit Michael the moment he stepped off the elevator. Intensive care units had the same clinical atmosphere regardless of how expensive or exclusive they might be, and Crawford Memorial's VIP wing was no exception.Sandra Williams lay motionless, surrounded by beeping machines and IV drips. Her skin had a grayish tinge that made Michael's stomach tighten. The vibrant, sharp-minded woman who had helped expose Eric's fraud was barely recognizable under the oxygen mask and tangle of monitoring wires."Mr. Crawford," Dr. Eliza Chen approached from the nurses' station. "I was hoping to speak with you.""How is she?" Michael asked, his eyes not leaving Sandra's still form.Dr. Chen's expression was grave. "Stable, but critical. We've identified a synthetic neurotoxin in her system—one we've never encountered before. It targets the central nervous system in a highly specific way.""Will she recover?""That's what I needed to discuss," Dr. Chen said, leading

Michael's temporary office in the financial division buzzed with urgent activity. He'd deliberately relocated here away from the executive floor's watchful eyes and whispered accusations to work directly with Sandra Williams and her team of analysts."These transfer authorizations don't add up," Sandra said, spreading printouts across the conference table. Her glasses slid down her nose as she leaned forward, jabbing her finger at a sequence of numbers. "The timestamps are inconsistent."Michael leaned in, studying the documents. "How so?""Digital signatures include encrypted timestamp data," Sandra explained, switching to her laptop to display the technical details. "When you sign a document electronically, the system records not just your authentication but precisely when it happened."She highlighted a section of code. "These signatures show your authorization at 3:42 PM on the dates in question, but the document metadata shows modifications continuing until 4:17

The tension in the Crawford Enterprises boardroom felt like a physical weight pressing down on everyone present. Michael had been summoned from the MePhone launch aftermath with an urgent message—emergency board meeting, immediate attendance required, no exceptions.Now he understood why."As you can see," Eric said, his voice dripping with regret that didn't reach his eyes, "the financial discrepancies are substantial."He gestured to the documents displayed on the massive screen dominating the wall. Account statements, transfer records, authorization codes—all meticulously organized to tell a damning story."$4.7 million," he continued, pacing slowly before the stunned board members. "Missing from Project Horizon accounts over the past three months."Board Chairman Wilson leaned forward, his bushy eyebrows drawn together. "And these transfers were authorized by...?"Eric paused dramatically, his eyes finding Michael's across the polished mahogany table. "By

The MePhone launch event filled the massive conference center with an electric buzz. Giant screens flashed the sleek Buzzer Tech logo while blue lighting bathed the audience in an otherworldly glow. Journalists from every tech blog and magazine on the planet packed the front rows, their faces lit by laptop screens as they frantically typed notes.Michael watched from a hidden backstage area, his heart pounding against his ribs. He'd waited for this moment through two lifetimes."Holy shit," Michael whispered as he peeked through the curtain. "There's at least five hundred people out there."Megan nodded beside him, her face pale with nervous energy. "And another million watching the livestream. We've crashed three servers already.""Are you nervous?" Michael asked, noticing her fidgeting hands."Terrified," she admitted. "But also weirdly excited. Like I might throw up or start dancing. Maybe both at the same time."Michael laughed. "Just not on stage, please

"Perhaps we could discuss this somewhere less public," Michael suggested, noting several curious glances directed their way. A Crawford and a Thornton in friendly conversation was unusual enough to attract attention.Claire nodded. "There's a café across the street. Less corporate surveillance."Twenty minutes later, they sat across from each other in a quiet corner booth, coffee cups steaming between them. The café's ambient noise provided a comfortable privacy shield."You still haven't answered my question," Claire said, stirring her latte. "Why would you help me?"Michael considered his response carefully. "Wells' ambush journalism tactics are predatory. I've seen what his 'profiles' do to people. No one deserves that kind of public exposure."Claire studied him, clearly weighing his sincerity. "Most people in your position would consider my discomfort an advantage. The Thornton heiress humiliated on camera would certainly benefit Crawford Enterprises.""

The System message appeared just as Michael was reviewing the final prototype designs for the first generation of Buzzer phones:[New task assigned: Attend Millennium Business Forum. Save Claire Thornton from public humiliation. Reward: Enhanced Strategic Thinking.]Michael paused, the name immediately triggering recognition. Claire Thornton heiress to Thornton Enterprises, the chief rival to Wagner Industries in the luxury hospitality and commercial real estate sectors. In his previous timeline, the Thornton and Crawford families had maintained a carefully polite public rivalry while privately engaging in ruthless competition.What caught Michael's attention wasn't just the task itself but the timing. The Millennium Business Forum was the premier gathering of the city's corporate elite, scheduled annually at the Grand Millennium Hotel. Crawford Enterprises always maintained a significant presence—but why would the System direct him to help a Thornton?"Something int