Chapter 2 Summary
In Chicago, Jennifer Bennett, a sharp, driven investigative journalist for CoreBusiness Magazine, struggles to wake up after returning late from the LABConference. At forty-one, she is dedicated to her work above all else, havingsacrificed marriage and relationships to pursue her career. She covered theconference at the request of her editor-in-chief, Neil Turnbull, who values hersharp instincts and persistence, even though the biotech story was outside herusual business beat.

While eating breakfast and catching up on the news, Jenniferis jolted awake by a breaking story from St. Louis. A disturbing video, mailedanonymously to a local TV station, apparently shows a man tied to a chair,beaten, and threatened by unseen assailants before gunshots are heard. Theaccompanying note claims the victim is Walter Jenkins, GenaSeed’s long-servingchief research scientist, who has not been seen for two days. The footage, whichappears to have been shot in a warehouse or industrial space, is now in thehands of the FBI.

Shocked by the news and recognizing its potential connectionto the conference she just covered, Jennifer calls Neil immediately. Hecautions her against chasing after what might be a hoax or a diversion, urgingher instead to finish her LAB Conference article in time for publication.Jennifer, however, is convinced the Jenkins disappearance is too coincidentalto ignore. Reluctantly, Neil grants her 48 hours to pursue the lead on Jenkinswhile insisting she complete her LAB piece by day’s end.

Though aware of the risks — and reminded by Neil thatwhoever created the video might not appreciate a journalist digging into theirbusiness — Jennifer decides to push forward. Her instincts as a truth-seekeroutweigh her hesitation, and she commits herself to uncovering whetherJenkins’s disappearance is real and what it might reveal about GenaSeed.

Chapter1 Summary
Anthony “Tony” Russell begins his day speeding westward on Interstate 64 towardRichmond International Airport. A former military pilot turned successful techentrepreneur, Tony made his fortune by licensing advanced AI algorithms thatcould sift through massive data stores for hidden patterns. Rather than retirein luxury, he has devoted his wealth to environmental activism, particularlythrough his organization EnvironLife, which seeks to expose unethicalpractices in agricultural biotechnology.

Fresh from hosting the LAB Conference on LimitingAgricultural Biotechnology, Tony reflects on its success: the event drew theattention of governors, senators, and national media, thrusting him into thespotlight as a leading critic of corporate biotech. His chief target isGenaSeed, a massive multinational that dominates the global seed market bylocking farmers into exploitative contracts and genetically engineeredseed-chemical systems. Farmers under GenaSeed’s thumb are left impoverished,often unable to escape the cycle of dependency, while the company fends offlawsuits with its vast legal and financial power.

Unexpectedly, during the conference, Tony wasinvited to meet Daniel Bruner, GenaSeed’s powerful and combative CEO. Given thecompany’s years-long efforts to discredit him, Tony is suspicious of theinvitation, but also curious about Bruner’s motives. He prepares to fly to St.Louis in his newly purchased Piper Seminole, eager to put the plane through itspaces on the 600-mile trip. Despite lingering unease, Tony looks forward to themeeting, uncertain whether it represents an opportunity for dialogue or a dangerousconfrontation with a corporate giant that embodies everything he opposes.