The transport in the driveway belonged to Ronan's father.
Everyone knew it before Ronan said the words.
They moved into the strategy room immediately.
Lucian closed the door.
Security seals engaged.
Ronan stood in the center of the room, shoulders tight like someone bracing for impact.
"My father knows the amplifier didn't detonate."
Valentina crossed her arms.
"That was inevitable."
"He also knows I didn't plant it the way he expected."
Aurelio leaned forward slightly.
"And?"
Ronan's voice dropped.
"And he's done pretending."
Vesper felt the shift in the room immediately.
"Explain."
Ronan ran a hand through his hair.
"My father is hosting a summit tonight."
Cassian frowned.
"What kind of summit."
Ronan looked directly at Aurelio.
"A corporate emergency council."
Dorian scoffed.
"That sounds boring."
Ronan shook his head.
"It's not corporate."
He turned the holo display toward them.
Multiple Hale subsidiaries.
Energy networks.
Resonance infrastructure.
And beneath them—
Null Collective funding channels.
Valentina inhaled sharply.
"That's half the city's infrastructure."
Kael leaned closer.
"They're consolidating."
Lucian's voice was quiet but sharp.
"For what purpose."
Ronan hesitated.
Then said it.
"To cut Orsini out of the grid."
Aurelio's eyes went cold.
"That would destabilize half the helix relay network."
"Yes," Ronan said.
"And if that happens, Selene gets exactly what she wants."
Vesper looked between them.
"Which is chaos."
"Exactly," Ronan said.
Silence filled the room.
Lyra whispered from the back of the group,
"Okay, that's… significantly worse than sabotage."
Cassian nodded slowly.
"That's systemic collapse."
Lucian's voice hardened.
"Why tell us?"
Ronan didn't hesitate.
"Because my father told me I'm attending."
Aurelio's eyes narrowed.
"As leverage."
"Yes."
"And you're warning us."
Ronan met his gaze.
"I'm choosing."
The Choice
For a moment no one spoke.
Because everyone in the room understood exactly what Ronan had just done.
If Hale discovered he'd warned them—
He was finished.
Kael broke the silence first.
"You realize what happens if your father finds out."
Ronan nodded.
"I do."
Dorian tilted his head.
"You're really doing this."
Ronan gave a small, tired smile.
"Apparently."
Lyra raised her hand.
"Okay, small question."
Everyone looked at her.
"If he's inviting Ronan, does that mean they expect Orsini to show up?"
Aurelio answered quietly.
"Yes."
Vesper frowned.
"They want you there."
Aurelio nodded once.
"Publicly."
Kael leaned back in his chair.
"Which means they're planning something larger than a meeting."
Cassian looked toward the display again.
"A demonstration."
Valentina's voice went cold.
"They're going to cut the grid publicly."
Vesper exhaled slowly.
"And Selene will be there."
Ronan nodded.
"Yes."
Aurelio Decides
Everyone turned to Aurelio.
Because the decision was his.
He looked at the holo display for a long moment.
Then at Ronan.
"You said you're attending."
Ronan nodded.
Aurelio stood.
"Then so am I."
Lucian frowned immediately.
"That's dangerous."
"Yes."
"And predictable."
Valentina stepped forward.
"You're not going alone."
Aurelio glanced at her.
"I know."
Then he looked at Vesper.
Not formally.
Not politically.
Just directly.
"You're coming too."
Lyra gasped dramatically.
"OHHHH."
Vesper stared at him.
"That's not a request."
"No," Aurelio said calmly.
"It's not."
For a moment the room felt smaller.
Then Vesper nodded once.
"Good."