Scenario B: Bearish Breakdown & Reversal

If price fails to push higher and breaks below the consolidation range, downside risk increases. A loss of range support would trigger clustered long stops. With elevated open interest, this raises the chance of a long squeeze, accelerating the drop. Price may move quickly toward the next major support, such as a prior 4H demand zone or the last breakout level, indicating the consolidation was distribution. The bearish case is invalidated if price reclaims the range or breaks above the key 4H high. Liquidation-driven moves can reverse quickly.