The silence outside did not mean retreat.
It meant recalibration.
Daniel treated it accordingly.
No assumptions.
No delay.
The flash drive was duplicated.
Encrypted.
Separated into multiple secured locations.
One copy remained with him.
One with his legal team.
One prepared for controlled release.
Not public.
Not yet.
Exposure without structure creates chaos.
This required precision.
Leo stayed inside.
Not confined.
But contained.
Movement limited.
Access controlled.
Not for punishment.
