Isaac's newly rebuilt algorithm was formidable, but his influence had waned during the time it took to recover. He needed more than just digital power—he needed allies. He had burned bridges with most of his former contacts, but there was one person who still had access to the political and corporate spheres: Senator Olivia Garner.
Isaac reached out to her, careful to maintain a layer of anonymity in case the hacker was still watching. Olivia, intrigued by Isaac's mysterious return after weeks of silence, agreed to meet.
The meeting was tense. Olivia demanded to know where Isaac had been, why he had disappeared just as their plans were gaining momentum. Isaac offered only a vague explanation about a personal setback but promised that he was now more capable than ever.
Olivia hesitated, but the lure of power was too great to resist. She agreed to help Isaac regain his influence in exchange for his assistance in an upcoming political maneuver—something that could shake the balance of power in Washington.
It was a calculated risk, but Isaac needed to reestablish his connections. If he was to regain control of his empire, he needed political backing as much as he needed his new algorithm.