If Ava thought baring her soul on live TV was the hard part, she clearly forgot about capitalism.
Specifically, capitalism in the form of the Summers-Ford Joint Emergency Board Meeting, which had been called less than 24 hours after the interview aired—and 20 minutes after the "Zava Nation" fan club began trending with matching digital merch.
The conference room smelled of bergamot, paper stress, and the faint aroma of Harold Ford's disappointment.
A holographic screen hovered at the head of the table, frozen on an image of Ava and Zach mid-PR interview: Zach gazing adoringly at her, Ava trying to smile while clearly contemplating homicide.
A blinking red banner underneath read:"FAKE MARRIAGE, REAL SCANDAL: Is Zava Endgame?"
Ava shifted in her seat. Zach sat beside her, legs crossed, coffee in hand, looking like a man who'd either found inner peace or had gone completely feral. Possibly both.
