Ripple
Author: One eye
last update2024-02-22 22:26:56

As the night wore on, the air grew thick with champagne fumes and a sense of unease. It seemed everyone awaited Zephyr's closing toast, a pronouncement that would undoubtedly hold more weight than any mere party favour. My system buzzed with collected data, analysing not just Zephyr's calculated movements but also the subtle shifts in the crowd's attention.

Finally, she ascended the makeshift stage, a vision in power-red silk that somehow overshadowed even the glittering chandeliers. The room fell silent, a thousand pairs of eyes fixated on her every move. With a predatory smile, she raised her glass.

"To Miami," she declared, her voice echoing through the hall, "a city fueled by ambition, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of progress."

The crowd murmured their approval, her carefully chosen words resonating with their own aspirations. My stomach churned. This wasn't just a toast; it was a veiled proclamation, a promise of change disguised as celebration.

"And tonight," she conti
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