The tension shifts from the digital battlefield to the high-stakes corridors of the elite. Skyler, stung by Mild's rejection and still bound by her loyalty to the President's influence, decides to play a final card. She isn't just a student; her family has long been the political spine of the St. Jude's Covenant.
Skyler meets the Grand Matriarch in a private, candle-lit office that smells of old parchment and expensive perfume. The Matriarch is reeling from the online backlash, her authority crumbling under the weight of the "Young Generation's" rebellion.
"The Armitages aren't just supporting the rebellion, Matriarch," Skyler says, her voice cold and steady. "Arm is planning to render you obsolete. He's already drafted the paperwork for an 'Equity Fund.' He's waiting for you to revoke those scholarships so he can swoop in as the savior and buy the loyalty of every student in this school."
