This time, Paragon didn't just move data—it recalculated . It updated the partition table, shifted the starting blocks of the entire data partition, and verified every checksum along the way. The log window spammed lines of green text: "Extending filesystem... Relocating metadata... Committing transaction."

The free space was trapped on the C: drive.

At 5:55 AM, Diane called. "Status?"

The database started without a single error.