Lyra read the new report in silence.
"…Inventory discrepancy detected by the same individual."
Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
"He's not just manipulating goods," she said quietly.
"He's observing systems."
That was far more concerning.
Because systems were harder to control than individuals.
"…Increase observation," she ordered.
Not intervention.
Not yet.
Because forcing contact too early—
Could break the pattern she was trying to understand.
Meanwhile, below—
Andres moved through the city, unaware of the exact nature of the attention on him.
But aware enough.
The feeling hadn't disappeared.
It had sharpened.
"…They're getting closer," he thought.
Instead of avoiding it—
He adjusted to it.
Because if someone was watching—
Then he would decide what they saw.