Seraphina did not panic. The message on her phone remained open, but her mind had already moved past the initial shock. Daniel Kessler had been granted access to Strategic Data Systems, which meant the infiltration had reached deeper than expected.
Lucien stood across from her, waiting. "You said this was not part of the plan," he said.
Seraphina nodded. "It was not," she replied.
Lucien's gaze sharpened. "Then we correct it," he said.
Seraphina looked at him. "Yes," she said. "But we do it quietly."
Lucien crossed his arms. "You still want to avoid exposure."
Seraphina nodded. "Of course I do."
Lucien frowned slightly. "That gives him time."
Seraphina shook her head. "No," she said. "It gives us control."
Lucien held her gaze. "Explain what you mean."
Seraphina placed her phone on the table and pulled up a new set of internal logs. "He expects resistance," she said. "If we block them openly, he adjusts immediately."
Lucien nodded. "That is consistent."
