Page 24 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

He notices.

Of course he notices.

I glance down at my notes, refusing to let the moment linger.

"Most companies describe themselves as innovative," I begin.

"Most CEOs claim their people are their greatest asset. Every annual report I've read over the last week uses some variation of those phrases. What makes Blackwell different?"

Julian doesn't answer immediately.

Instead, he folds his hands together on the table and considers the question with enough care that I wonder whether he's mentally rewriting it.

When he finally speaks, his voice is calm.

"It isn't different."

I blink.

"Excuse me?"

"The language isn't different. Innovation. Excellence. Collaboration. Every corporation says the same thing because they're safe words. They communicate aspiration without requiring proof."

"Then why does Blackwell use them?"

"Because marketing writes annual reports."

I stare at him for a second before lowering my eyes to my notebook.

That..is not the answer I expected.

"So you disagree with your own company's messaging?"

"I think it's incomplete."

I scribble a note in the margin.

Admits corporate messaging is insufficient.

Interesting.

"What would you replace it with?"

"Competence."

The answer comes so quickly it almost interrupts my pen.

"Competence?"

"Everything else is built on it."

He leans back slightly, though his attention never leaves me.

"We don't hire charismatic people because they're charismatic. We hire competent people and allow them enough autonomy to solve problems without creating layers of unnecessary bureaucracy. Innovation isn't a goal."

"What is?"

"Removing obstacles."