Episode 55: The Visitor
The next morning was foggy—literally and figuratively.
Jaden dragged himself through warmups, mind still spinning from Damien's cut and Luka's silence.
Then, right before midday drills, a staff member tapped Jaden on the shoulder.
"You've got someone requesting to see you. Private room."
Jaden blinked. "Who?"
The staffer shrugged. "Didn't say. But they were cleared to speak with you. Five minutes only."
Jaden followed.
The room was quiet. A single table.
And sitting across from it—a woman.
Not Abby. Not family. Not media.
Her outfit was professional. Expensive. Her expression—pure calculation.
She stood, offered her hand. "Mr. Carter. My name is Elise Marek."
Jaden shook her hand, cautiously.
"I represent a private investment group currently aligned with Felix Ward's development channel."
Jaden sat slowly. "This a pitch?"
Elise smiled. "No. This is a warning."
She slid a paper across the table.
Jaden glanced down.
A file. On him.
Match performance
Off-pitch behavior
Personal relationships
Psychological profiles
She tapped it with her finger. "They've been watching you longer than you think."
Jaden's pulse jumped. "So what happens now?"
Elise leaned in. "You play the game—our game—or you disappear from the board entirely."
She stood.
"You've impressed them, Jaden. But if you want a future in this sport… loyalty won't save you."
She walked out.
Jaden sat alone, staring at the file.
And for the first time since arriving at Iron Stride…
He wasn't sure if he could win this clean.