Paris – November 11, 1937 – 7:01 AM
The envelope burned in Claire's hands like it was made of gunpowder. Lorelei had already vanished. Not fled — vanished. As if she knew that once truth was left behind, the rest would ignite on its own.
The crowd was beginning to disperse. Dorian? Nowhere to be seen.
— "You think he ran?" Solène asked.
— "He doesn't run. He repositions," Madeleine replied, lighting another cigarette.
Émile approached.
— "We need to leave. Now. That envelope can't fall into the wrong hands."
Claire tightened her grip on the seal.
— "The press is already waiting for someone to tell them what happened. If we give them this... ministers will fall."
— "And maybe a nation will wake up," said Madeleine.
—
Hotel Ritz – Conference Room – 7:24 AM
Three ministers and two generals stared at a copy of the document — which had, somehow, already reached them.
A name. A stamp. An order: "Neutralize Reiner during diplomatic visit. Ensure non-traceable action."
— "This was planted," said the Interior Minister.
— "It was signed by your direct aide," countered the head of security.
— "If this leaks..."
— "It already has."
Silence.
— "We need to find whoever released it. Before they release more."
—
Somewhere beneath Montmartre – 7:39 AM
Dorian descended through an old tunnel under the stones. Two men waited for him.
— "You went too far," one said.
— "I just opened the curtain," Dorian replied.
He smiled, pointing to a map laid across the table.
— "Reiner was just the start. His fall was symbolic. But there are other names. And the city is ready."
—
Seine River Walk – 7:45 AM
Claire watched the sunrise touch the water.
She turned to Émile.
— "The Veil is gone. The mask too. Now it's just Paris. And gunpowder."
Émile nodded.
— "Then we need to be faster than the next match."