The following morning, Lila received an encrypted message that made her stomach churn. A whistleblower had evidence of corporate corruption that could devastate the city if left unchecked—but exposing it would also put Liora's reputation on the line.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. In movies, Liora would have acted without hesitation, standing up for justice. But this was reality, and the stakes were higher than any fantasy. Each option carried consequences: reveal the truth and risk scandal, or protect the public image of the heroine she now embodied.
After a long, tense pause, Lila made a calculated choice: she would act, but cautiously. Carefully worded communications and strategic leaks ensured justice was served while minimizing exposure. She felt a mixture of relief and dread—the first real lesson that being a hero wasn't just about courage, but wisdom and restraint.