The meeting had just ended when Sharon stepped in quietly.
She didn't interrupt immediately.
She waited until Wayne and Valarie were halfway out the door.
Then she cleared her throat.
"Sir."
Dayo looked up.
Her expression already told him enough.
"Your phone," she said carefully, "has been exploding."
Wayne paused mid-step. "That sounds expensive."
Sharon ignored him. "Not just calls. Labels. Production houses. Two major distribution groups. Three independent studios. They've all requested in-person meetings."
Alice turned back slightly. "All at once?"
"Yes," Sharon replied. "And they're pushing hard. Some of them are asking for availability before you leave for Nigeria."
Wayne whistled softly. "Ah. There it is."
Dayo leaned back in his chair.
Of course.
Explosion in Asia. Stabilization in the U.S. The narrative shift. The donation leak. The numbers.
Everyone wanted proximity.
Not friendship.
Access.
