The wind outside the Master Suite sounded less like weather and more like a physical assault on the house. The heavy velvet curtains shuddered with every gust, but Victoria kept her eyes locked on the tablet screen.
“Just one more signature,” she whispered, her finger hovering over the digital line.
It was the final deed of transfer. With this document, Vane-Tech would officially cease to exist as an independent entity, its assets absorbed into the Croft portfolio. The war with the Vulture was ending not with a bang, but with a stylus stroke in a dimly lit bedroom.
Victoria signed. *Victoria Vance-Croft, Chairman.*
“Upload complete,” the screen flashed green.
“We won,” she exhaled, sinking back into the pillows. “It’s over.”
Suddenly, the green progress bar froze. The browser wheel spun for a second, then stopped. The Wi-Fi icon in the corner of the screen vanished, replaced by a hollow gray signal bar.
Victoria tapped the screen. *No Connection.*
The lights in the room flickered once, twice, and then held–but the digital lifeline to the outside world had been severed. The acquisition had gone through seconds before the Estate went dark.