After a minute, his brows drew together. “Is this approval reference number supposed to be the same across projects?”
My stomach tightened. “No.”
He pointed to another tab. “Because this one has the exact same authorization chain ID… and it’s for a different site.”
I leaned forward, pulse kicking up.
He opened a third file.
Same number. Different project.
Cold slid down my spine.
“That’s the state authorization stamp,” I said slowly. “Each project should generate its own chain.”
Ethan clicked into the file properties. “These were created from the same template.”
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “It’s not just one submission.”
He leaned back slightly. “Is it bad?”
I dragged a hand over my jaw. “It means the auditors won’t stop at the original file. They’ll start checking every submission tied to this template.” I sank back in my chair, staring at the screen. “I need to find out how far this spread.”
If it ran wider than the initial package, the review wouldn’t stay contained. It would expand, delaying everything. Maybe expose us to penalties we couldn’t afford right now.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to make it worse.”
“You didn’t.” My voice came out rough. “You just confirmed this isn’t a one-off mistake.” Panic pressed at the base of my throat—but I couldn’t keep the admiration out of my voice.He fucking did it.“We’ve been trying to figure this out for weeks.”
Ethan gave me that soft, dangerous smile. “Then you’re welcome,” he said quietly. “Friend.”
Jesus Christ.
A strained laugh escaped me. I caught myself before I did something reckless, like pulling him into my lap. “Careful,” I muttered. “You keep being useful, and I’m stealing you from marketing.”
He grinned. “Corporate poaching already?”
“Hostile takeover.”
Our faces were only an inch apart, and even though my world was threatening to collapse beneath my feet, I couldn’t deny the rush that came from watching his mind work. And from having him this close.
The moment held for half a breath too long, then reality slammed back in.
I pushed back from the desk and reached for my phone. “I need to call Compliance,” I said, already scrolling through my contacts. “And Legal. And Elena.”
Ethan straightened, the warmth between us settling into something steadier. “Do you want me to flag the files that match the template?”
My eyes lifted to his.
Fucking perfect.
“Yes,” I said. “Please.”
He nodded once, all focus now, settling into my chair as he turned back to the screen.
Just like that, he was beside me in it—not watching from the sidelines, not expecting me to fix everything—but stepping into the fire with me.
“First week, and you might actually have earned a raise.”
