The result came faster than expected.
---
Too fast.
---
Daniel entered without knocking.
---
"Miss Hart—"
---
He stopped.
---
Because he had never seen her like this.
---
Still.
Focused.
Cold.
---
"What is it?" she asked.
---
Daniel swallowed.
---
"We lost the west sector."
---
Silence.
---
Not shock.
---
Calculation.
---
Evelyn nodded once.
---
"Expected."
---
Daniel blinked.
---
"You knew?"
---
"Yes."
---
A pause.
---
"I chose it."
---
The room went still.
---
Because that—
Was the cost.
---
And she paid it—
Without hesitation.