Silence.
Not the peaceful silence that had settled over the Final Archive moments earlier.
This one was different.
It was sharp.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
The image of Dr. Eleanor Ashcroft had vanished from the monitor, but her voice lingered inside every corner of the chamber.
**"Richard has failed."**
No one spoke.
Richard Cross remained frozen before the screen.
His hands trembled.
For the first time since Lily had met him...
The man who had controlled every situation looked completely helpless.
Lily slowly walked toward him.
"You know her."
It wasn't a question.
Richard laughed bitterly.
"I wish I didn't."
Jonathan stepped closer.
"Who is Eleanor Ashcroft?"
Richard looked around the archive.
At Elizabeth Hawthorne's statue.
At Daniel's recorded message.
At the photogra
