The Secret Exchange and a Silent Signal

The shattered pot in the greenhouse was not merely an accident; it was a direct confrontation, a near miss orchestrated by Minister Chen's network. President Sterling's timely arrival, and his subtle confirmation that he knew a "pest" was involved, sealed the chilling reality. Ellie's "Blunder Years" were now officially intertwined with actual, physical danger.

Later that evening, President Sterling, Agent Miller, and Ambassador Li Mei gathered in the study. Ellie recounted her experience in the greenhouse, her voice low and steady, detailing the shadowy figure, the specific "pier" location, and the lucky "rebellious pot." She then showed them the new message from the orchid.

President Sterling's expression was grim. "They're pressing harder. 'Orchid. Sunset. Pier.' That was a direct invitation. A trap. They wanted to know if you'd respond. And if you have the microfilm." He looked at Agent Miller. "The gardener's accomplice. We'll be reviewing all surveillance. Find out who was near the greenhouse during that time."

"My team also intercepted a coded communication from Minister Chen's network," Ambassador Li Mei added, her voice crisp. "It mentions a 'second opportunity,' a 'contingency plan.' They are escalating. They intend to meet Miss Chen, and they'll use a less obvious method this time."

Ellie felt a knot of dread. A "less obvious method." What could be less obvious than a ghost tour or a gardener?

President Sterling leaned forward, his gaze intense. "This 'second opportunity' is what we're waiting for. It will be their most crucial move, designed to confirm whether Miss Chen truly has the microfilm and if she's willing to betray us. We need to set the stage perfectly. This is where the decoy USB comes into play. We'll let them take it. And we'll watch who takes it."

He then looked at Ellie, his eyes holding a profound trust. "Miss Chen, your performance as the overwhelmed cleaner must be flawless. You will 'lose' the decoy USB drive. In a location where they are likely to find it, but where your 'loss' appears completely accidental. And you will be seen 'distraught' by its disappearance, hinting at its importance."

Ellie took a deep breath. She was ready. "I can do it, Mr. President. I can be the most distraught cleaner in White House history."

"Excellent," he said. "The target location will be the Grand Staircase. It's high traffic, has blind spots, and is constantly monitored by our teams." He then looked at Agent Miller. "Agent Miller, you will coordinate the surveillance. Anya will be with Miss Chen, providing real-time intelligence and extraction if necessary. Ambassador Li Mei, you will prepare for the fallout once we have our target."

The plan was set. Ellie was to "lose" the decoy USB on the Grand Staircase. She would drop it, stumble, create a momentary, genuine-looking chaos, allowing someone from Minister Chen's network to discreetly retrieve it. The entire area would be under intense, hidden surveillance.

The next morning, the Grand Staircase gleamed. Ellie was assigned to a final polish of the brass railings, Anya working nearby, seemingly adjusting a floral arrangement. Ellie felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. The weight of the decoy USB in her apron pocket felt heavier than lead.

As a particularly bustling group of tourists ascended the stairs, Ellie saw her chance. She was near the bottom, polishing a railing. She subtly loosened her grip on her cleaning bucket. It swung outward, just enough to catch the edge of her apron pocket.

With a well-practiced, exaggerated stumble, Ellie let out a small yelp. Her foot seemed to catch on a non-existent step. Her polishing cloth flew from her hand. And the decoy USB drive, seemingly dislodged by the stumble, slipped silently from her pocket, bouncing once on a step, and then, with a faint click, disappearing into the intricate carving of the wooden banister, where it settled perfectly, almost invisibly, in a tiny crevice.

Ellie gasped, feigning extreme distress. "Oh no! My clumsy foot! My cleaning cloth! And... oh no! My lucky charm!" She frantically patted her apron, her eyes wide with manufactured panic, her gaze darting towards the very spot where the USB had vanished. She even managed a few mumbled Xanadu curses, ensuring her distress seemed authentic.

She knelt down, pretending to search for it, her face a mask of distraught frustration. She glanced up discreetly. Her eyes swept the staircase. A man, dressed as a tourist, who had been a few steps behind her, paused. His gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on her, then on the banister. His hand subtly brushed against the carved wood as he continued to ascend. His expression was perfectly neutral, but his movement was too precise. He had seen it. He had retrieved it.

Ellie continued to search, feigning a frustrated sigh. She looked at Anya, who was subtly adjusting a nearby painting, her eyes unwavering. A faint, almost imperceptible nod from Anya confirmed it: the bait had been taken. The "lost" USB was now in the hands of the enemy. The White House was now set for the next phase of the most dangerous game.