Page 129 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“IT has already suspended automatic deletion across executive accounts.”

“Good.”

My work phone vibrates against the table. Daniel's does the same almost simultaneously. Neither of us reaches for them.

Vivian continues.

“No one deletes anything. No one edits anything. No one decides something is unimportant and removes it. If you're unsure whether it falls within scope, preserve it.”

Adrian turns toward the screen.

“And the press?”

“Still feeding on speculation,” Vivian says.

“We aren't commenting on the substance of an active investigation. Communications has the approved statement.”

Adrian's communications director, Rachel Monroe, slides a printed copy toward him.

“We've issued the same language to every outlet,” Rachel says.

“Blackwell is cooperating with regulators and believes its business practices comply with applicable competition law. Nothing beyond that.”

“How many requests?” I ask.

Rachel gives me a look that answers before she speaks.

“Since 6:00 this morning? More than four hundred between press, television, trade publications, podcasts, and international desks.”

Adrian sits back.

His face is drawn from lack of sleep. The usual ease in my brother has disappeared entirely.

“What about investors?” he asks.

Daniel checks his tablet.

“We have calls scheduled with the twelve largest institutional holders before 3:00. Three requested direct conversations with Julian. Two asked whether the board is considering leadership changes.”

The room goes still.

I look at him.

“Leadership changes?”

Daniel nods.

“They're asking the question.”

Adrian's jaw tightens.

“After forty-eight hours?”

“Fear moves faster than facts,” Vivian says from the screen.

I turn toward the windows. Forty-four floors below us, another cluster of cameras gathers near the main entrance as a black SUV pulls to the curb.

The stock ticker on the financial channel playing silently against the opposite wall updates again.