Chapter 18: Shadows in the City of Light
Chapter 18: Shadows in the City of Light
Paris welcomed them with a biting early-spring chill and grey skies that hung low over the Seine. The summit was held at the historic Palais Brongniart, a venue dripping with old-world wealth and institutional opulence.
Yet, beneath the glittering chandeliers and the polite clinking of champagne flutes, Naomi sensed an undercurrent of hostility. The multi-billion-dollar synthetic chemical and mass-preservation lobbies had sent their top representatives to protect their interests.
On the eve of the summit, Jae-min’s security detail intercepted an unauthorized data-breach attempt on the foundation’s presentation servers.
"Someone tried to plant encrypted malware into our supply-chain logistics presentation," Jae-min reported, his expression hardened. "If it had succeeded, our automated verification system would have shown massive errors during the live demonstration tomorrow, destroying our credibility on the global stage."
Naomi stood by the window of their hotel suite, looking out at the Eiffel Tower piercing the dark sky. "Who authorized the breach?"
May you like
"A shell company registered in Luxembourg," Jae-min replied, stepping closer to wrap his jacket around her shoulders. "But the digital signature traces back to the remnants of the old European distribution cartels aligned with Apex Food. They want to prove that clean, traceable food on a massive scale is a logistical myth."
Naomi smiled, a cold, sharp expression. "Let them try. They think we rely solely on technology. They forget that the foundation of our system is built on human lives and unbreakable trust."
