Collateral Attraction

nch gala, and the room hummed with Manhattan's most influential voices: investors, media magnates, select influencers, and a smattering of Jordan Blake's devoted

piece in place. "Security just flagged a possible rooftop paparazzi sighting,"

eep the main doors clear. Alert security to seal the

-

M – Fi

ed forward, their long lenses trained on the stage where Madeline Hart would address the crowd in

the photographer and the stage. "You're off-limits. P

ained even. "This is a private event. You have no credential for this area." She reached for her pho

rging from backstage in a tailored tuxedo-his presence magnetic, draw

all right?

razzi at bay. Your audience is

y smile. "Thank

-

– Stag

o... one." Madeline stepped forward, her confidence evident in every inch of her tailored silhouett

Attraction-where corporate vision meets creative innovation." The crowd erupted i

m's acoustics. Emma's eyes snapped upward: two unapproved quadcopters hovered above the

crophone: "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. This security incident is under control. En

rator nodded, fingers flying over the switcher. The ballroom screens flickered to a pr

d gave a subtle nod of approval. In that instant, she felt

-

– Crisis

Deploy the counter-drone units to escort those quadcopters off-premises. Issue a courtesy

een repelled. Emma exhaled and returned to stage right. Ma

ats from his unreleased single filled the space. He stepped onto the small stage, crossing the fine lin

of risks and mitigations forgotten in favor of the moment's raw mome

-

– Vict

ablet: social-media sentiment had spiked by 40 percent in ten minutes; the hashta

a's. "You handled that-ambush and all-with poise

-empty flute of champagne. "To you," he t

rotocol-and she'd transformed a potential disaster into a triumphant crescendo. Tonight, Collate