"Zevian Rook."Seraphina's smile became terrifying.Zevian looked at her.Then at Julian's outstretched hand.Then back at her."What?""You seriously asked if I'm going with him?""It seemed polite.""Polite?"Julian slowly lowered his hand.Seraphina stepped toward Zevian."I dragged you out shopping.""Correct.""I bought you breakfast.""Also correct.""I've spent the entire morning trying to buy you a jacket.""Against my will.""And you think I'm suddenly leaving with him?"Zevian considered it."When you say it like that..."Seraphina stared."...probably not.""Probably?"Zevian wisely became silent.Julian watched them.His jaw tightened.This wasn't how he'd expected today to go.Then again...Very little involving Zevian Rook had gone the way Julian expected lately.The first time Julian heard the name, he hadn't cared.Founders' Week.Some scholarship student had suddenly become Auremont's newest topic of conversation.Zevian Rook.Sprint champion.Academic Challenge.Pian

[The company's largest institutional shareholder has begun selling.]Julian Hart stared at the message.Then typed.[How much?]The reply came shortly afterward.[Approximately eight percent of its position over the past two weeks.]Julian frowned.[Reason?][Unknown. Could be portfolio rebalancing, liquidity requirements, or concerns about the company's outlook.]He leaned back.The company was Helix Microsystems, a mid-sized semiconductor equipment manufacturer.Its shares had declined nearly twelve percent over the previous month.But a major industry conference was scheduled for later that week.According to several analysts, Helix was preparing to announce a new manufacturing partnership.If true, the stock could recover sharply.Exactly the kind of short-term opportunity Julian needed.His phone vibrated again.[The potential catalyst is attractive, but the selling pressure increases uncertainty.]Julian considered it.Then smiled.[Find out whether the partnership announcement

"They've accelerated their selling."Julian Hart frowned."How much?""Another significant block was reported today.""How significant?""Enough to suggest they're reducing their exposure rather than simply rebalancing."Julian leaned back."Before tomorrow's conference call?""Yes.""Interesting."His adviser hesitated."Mr. Hart, I recommend caution.""Because one institution is selling?""Because we don't know why."Julian looked toward the competition ledger.Zevian Rook.$11,460.His own portfolio.$10,310.A difference of $1,150.Two trading days.That was all it had taken for the scholarship student to move ahead.Julian's expression tightened."What about the conference call?""Management hasn't disclosed the agenda beyond addressing recent market speculation.""Which means?""It could be positive. It could be negative."Julian sighed."You're being unusually unhelpful.""I'm being careful.""Fine."He ended the call.Then stared at Helix Microsystems' after-hours chart.The s

Richard Hart stared at his phone.The call had ended nearly a minute ago.Yet one sentence remained in his mind.Tell Julian to enjoy his investment competition.He hadn't mentioned the competition.Not once.Richard slowly placed the phone on his desk.Aster Properties.He had dealt with its subsidiaries before.Not frequently.But enough to understand that the organization possessed considerable resources and preferred operating quietly.Its representatives were professional.Its transactions were clean.And its internal affairs were none of his business.Richard had never considered that particularly unusual.Wealthy investment organizations valued privacy.But this?Someone knew about Julian's private competition with Zevian Rook.Someone who apparently considered it worth mentioning.Richard opened his contacts.Julian.He called.The connection came quickly."Dad?""Where are you?""Home.""Good."Julian frowned."Something wrong?""Have you contacted Aster Properties?""No.""A

2:17 AM.Havencrest Residences.Zevian Rook was sleeping peacefully.His phone rested beside the bed.The apartment was quiet.No messages.No visitors.No Miles Boone demanding food.A perfectly ordinary night.At least, for Zevian....[External investigation detected.][Subject: Zevian Rook.][Investigating party: Richard Hart.][Protected information exposure risk: Elevated.][Assessment complete.][Intervention required.]A series of invisible processes began operating.No translucent screen appeared before Zevian.No notification disturbed his sleep.The Heaven Defying System simply acted.[Communication channel established.][Identity masking activated.][Previous warning messages confirmed delivered.][Digital trace removal initiated.]...Hart Meridian Group Headquarters.Richard Hart was still awake.He sat alone in his office, staring at his phone.The mysterious message remained on the screen.[The young man is not your concern.]He read it again.Then opened the sender's