Isabella smiled in relief. Though her knowledge was still amateur, she had indeed sensed something wrong in her father's body — lessons carefully taught by Grandma Maria. Knowing he would send for her allowed Isabella to relax.
Carlos smiled at the sight of her easing expression. Then he turned his attention to Krugger, who had stood like a third wheel throughout the entire exchange, holding the plan awkwardly in his hands, unsure when to speak.
"Tell me, Krugger. What happened?"
Krugger stepped forward and handed him the documents without ceremony.
Carlos began to read.
The proposal outlined a three-stage lightning strike — a strategy that abandoned defensive positioning entirely in favor of aggressive expansion.
The first stage: The Water Attack.
