“She had VIP access.”
“We didn’t know that.”
Brad looked exhausted.
“That is literally the problem.”
Garrett’s expression hardened.
“You laughed too.”
Brad said nothing.
Garrett stepped closer.
“You don’t get to become righteous because you posted a paragraph.”
Brad looked at him.
“No.”
Then quietly:
“I don’t.”
That was the first honest conversation either man had that afternoon.
Garrett walked outside.
San Francisco fog had begun rolling between buildings.
He stood on the pavement for several minutes.
Then called Prism’s board chair.
“We have a problem.”
Within forty-eight hours, the summit incident escaped the conference ecosystem.
A technology publication ran the first major story.
Screenshots accompanied it.
Then financial media.
Then national outlets.
The headline changed depending on publication, but the basic story remained irresistible.
A prominent investor had been mocked and removed before giving the keynote.
Reporters contacted Willa.
She declined most requests.
Accepted one short television interview.
Seven minutes.
Same navy blazer.
Same controlled voice.
The host asked whether she believed Garrett Sinclair should lose his company.
Willa answered carefully.
“That is a question for his board.”
“Do you want him punished?”