Hale leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest twice before adding, "First, our identities would be completely exposed. Second, we could be taken advantage of and find ourselves unable to break free."
"We should first figure out exactly what they want. Calling it 'cooperation' is still too vague," Ella suggested, giving a general direction.
In the end, none of the three made a firm decision, but they also didn't outright reject the other party's proposal.
They kept this matter from Ned for nearly two weeks.
It wasn't intentional secrecy, but more of an instinctive hesitation. Since the three of them hadn't fully figured it out themselves, they didn't want to drag the adults into it and turn something still taking shape into a full family meeting.
