The room was completely silent except for the crackle of the fireplace.

“This code was used to alter the concrete density requirements,” I explained, showing the engineering diagrams. “It reduced the load capacity of the main pier.”

Julian stood up next to me.

“If this project had proceeded under these altered specs,” Julian said, “the city would have faced a catastrophic failure.”

“And Bennett Urban Systems would have blamed Claire’s design,” Margaret added from the corner of the room.

Eleanor Vance looked at the commissioner.

“Arthur, is this data verified?” she asked.

“Our department’s IT security team has already confirmed the external source,” Arthur said. “The signature is verified. It came from the Bennett server.”

The board members began whispering among themselves.

I watched their faces, seeing the shift from skepticism to deep concern.

They knew how much political capital they had invested in the waterfront renewal.

“This is a direct violation of the municipal integrity pact,” Eleanor said, her voice hardening. “Bennett Urban Systems signed that agreement when they submitted their preliminary bids.”

“They did,” Arthur said. “The penalty for a breach of this nature is clear.”