V. K. Moonwhisper

Chapter 1: Scent of Fear The polished mahogany table stretched before me like a battlefield, the board members seated around it my wary opponents. Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows of the top-floor conference room, glinting off the crystal water glasses and the sleek laptops open before each executive. I adjusted the microphone discreetly clipped to my crisp white blouse, the subtle rustle amplified in the tense silence. "As you can see," I began, my voice steady and confident, "Project Nightlock represents a paradigm shift in data encryption. Our proprietary algorithm, coupled with advanced AI integration, renders conventional decryption methods obsolete." I clicked the remote, and the screen behind me lit up with a complex schematic, a visual symphony of code and cryptographic keys. The board members, a mix of seasoned veterans and ambitious newcomers, leaned forward, their expressions a mixture of awe and apprehension. This was a high-stakes gam...