Clara sat at her desk in the foundation's private archive room the next morning, staring at the glowing drive Daniel had "accidentally" left accessible.
A file labeled: FUTURE EXPANSION BLUEPRINT — CONFIDENTIAL.
Her heartbeat thudded loudly in her ears.
She knew it was a test.
She also knew she had no choice.
Her trembling fingers hovered over the download key.
Forgive me, Sara.
She inserted her encrypted device into the port.
The system blinked.
Transfer: 1%… 15%… 27%…
Meanwhile — Daniel's Command Room
Leo watched the tracking signal spike. "She took the bait."
Daniel didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the screen — Clara's every movement mirrored in real-time.
Ryo frowned from the back. "She looks terrified. You sure we're not pushing too hard?"
Daniel's voice was low.
"If she's doing this willingly… she will burn."
"And if she's being forced?" Leo asked.
Daniel's eyes flickered with something unspoken.
"…Then we pull her out before she drowns."
At Sara's Penthouse
Sara stood before the glass window, arms folded. Adrian approached quietly.
"She took it," he said.
Sara exhaled slowly.
There was no triumph in her expression. Only disappointment.
"She chose her side."
Adrian watched her carefully. "…Do you hate her?"
Sara's grip tightened.
"…I hate what she chose to become."
Back to Clara
Transfer: 92%… 100%. COMPLETE.
Clara yanked the drive free — and exhaled shakily.
She pulled out her secure phone.
Her fingers hovered over the dial.
She didn't want to call him. Didn't want to hear that soft, cruel voice again.
But she pressed SEND anyway.
It rang once.
Then twice—
She didn't hear his voice.
She heard Daniel's.
"Hello, Clara."
Her blood froze.
The line crackled.
Daniel's voice was calm.
Too calm.
"You've made your move."
Clara's hand shook violently. "D-Daniel, I—"
"Don't explain," he said quietly. "Just listen."
His tone dropped to ice.
"You have one last chance to decide which side you belong to."
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Clara's breath came out in a broken whisper.
"…What do you want me to do?"
Daniel's answer was simple.
"Bring me your puppet master."