Thursday bled into Friday without pause.
The Fistoria statement dropped at 10:47 a.m. polished, apologetic in tone, promising a "comprehensive review of IP clauses in light of creator feedback." No specifics. No timeline. Classic corporate stall.
The forums ate it up anyway. Threads exploded with "They're scared!" and "Keep pushing!" Power stones on Chronos Imperium ticked higher curiosity was a hell of a drug.
I didn't celebrate.
I was in the back of the Mercedes, windows tinted, rain streaking the glass like tears the city refused to shed.
Joanna's dossier arrived at 11:19 a.m.
Three candidates. All vetted. All with leverage.
I scrolled.
1. Marcin Nowak – 47, divorced, former mid-level marketing exec at a rival publisher. Clean on paper. Dirty underneath: €120,000 gambling debt to a discreet syndicate in Praga district. Charming smile in his headshot. Ex-wife took the house. No kids. Foundation: desperation masked as confidence.
