The first thing Daniel Armand did after the debate was not attack.
It was worse.
He invited Mira to collaborate.
The email arrived at 6:12 a.m., which Mira considered deeply suspicious behavior.
She stared at the subject line while her coffee went cold.
Subject: A Conversation Worth Having
Leo leaned over her shoulder with the grace of a raccoon.
"If that's spam, it's very confident spam."
"It's him," she muttered.
Adrian looked up from across the café table. He had learned to recognize the subtle tightening in her voice.
"What does he want?"
Mira opened it.
Daniel's tone was polite. Clean. Almost disarming.
You are one of the most influential young civic voices in the country. I believe our differences are philosophical, not personal. I would value a private conversation about how partnership and power can coexist responsibly.
She read it twice.
Then once more.
Leo made a strangled noise.
"He's recruiting you."
Adrian didn't laugh.
