The conference room felt colder than before. Not because of the weather outside, but because of what now stood between both sides of the table. Doubt. Avelyn took her seat without a word. Cassian sat beside her, his posture relaxed, his expression unreadable. Across from them, the Rotterdam officials watched with quiet attention, their earlier neutrality now replaced with something more cautious. More guarded. The director folded his hands on the table. “You asked for time,” he said. “We’ve given it. I hope you have something meaningful to present.” Lucas stepped forward, connecting his system to the main display. His movements were quick, precise but there was tension in them. “We do,” he said. The screen lit up. Lines of code appeared first, followed by layered system architecture. Then timelines. Data comparisons. Structural differences. “This,” Lucas began, pointing at the first section, “is the data submitted to you this morning.” He paused, letting the officials take
Read more