The structure faded behind them as they stepped back into the open air.The night felt different.Not quieter.Not louder.Just… altered.Elena walked beside Adrian, her pace steady, her posture composed. No panic. No lingering shock. But there was something else now—clarity.She understood what had happened.And more importantly…Why.⸻The vehicles arrived seconds later.Hale was already stepping out before they fully stopped.His expression was controlled.But only just.“You went alone.”Adrian didn’t break stride.“Yes.”“That wasn’t protocol.”“No.”Hale stepped closer.“That wasn’t strategy.”Adrian turned slightly.“It was the only option.”Silence.Because Hale knew that was true.He didn’t like it.But he understood it.⸻They moved quickly into the vehicle.Doors closed.Engines engaged.Security expanded outward in layers.Too late to matter for what had already happened.But necessary for what came next.⸻Inside the vehicle, Elena finally leaned back slightly.Not collap