An aqueous reaction \(\text{A(aq)} + \text{B(aq)} \rightarrow \text{P(aq)}\) is catalyzed by an enzyme \(\text{E}\) according to the following proposed three-step mechanism:

\[ \text{Step 1: } \text{E(aq)} + \text{A(aq)} \rightleftharpoons \text{I}_1\text{(aq)} \quad \text{(fast)} \]
\[ \text{Step 2: } \text{I}_1\text{(aq)} + \text{B(aq)} \rightarrow \text{I}_2\text{(aq)} \quad \text{(slow, rate-determining)} \]
\[ \text{Step 3: } \text{I}_2\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{P(aq)} + \text{E(aq)} \quad \text{(fast)} \]

The reaction energy profile for the original enzyme-catalyzed reaction is shown by the solid curve. A genetically modified variant of the enzyme selectively stabilizes intermediate \(\text{I}_1\), lowering its potential energy as shown by the dashed curve, while the energies of the reactants, products, and all transition states (\(\text{TS}_1\), \(\text{TS}_2\), and \(\text{TS}_3\)) remain unchanged.

Which of the following correctly predicts the effect of this modification on the activation energy of Step 2 (\(E_{a,2}\)) and the overall rate of product formation?