The lights in the ballroom flickered. The smooth jazz music cut out, replaced by a low, ominous hum of feedback.

“What’s going on?” Mark muttered, looking around. “Did we lose power?”

A voice boomed from the overhead speakers, god-like in its volume.

“Will the new Marketing Director please come to the stage to receive… a special decision from the Chairman of the Board.”

Mark’s face lit up. He turned to Jessica. “This is it. The Chairman is finally acknowledging me. Maybe a bonus? Maybe equity?”

He grabbed Jessica’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go make history.”

They walked toward the stage, beaming, unaware that the giant LED screen behind them—which had been displaying the company logo—was glitching. The logo was dissolving, pixel by pixel, revealing something else entirely.

Part 3: The Verdict Drafted
As Mark and Jessica ascended the stairs to the stage, the heavy double doors at the back of the ballroom swung open.