Page 135 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

Adrian watches me for a beat longer than I like.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The answer comes immediately. What I don’t say is how much of Italy had stopped feeling like an interview.

That belongs to me. To us. Not this room.

Preston closes his folder.

“Then documenting that should be straightforward.”

I stand.

“If Legal wants a formal access review, Vivian can conduct it. You stay out of it.”

Preston looks up at me.

“You don’t have unilateral control over that anymore.”

The reminder lands exactly as he intends. I leave the boardroom before I say something that creates a second crisis. Adrian catches up with me in the corridor.

“Julian.”

I keep walking.

“Not now.”

“It needs to be now.”

I stop near the windows and turn toward him.

“What?”

Adrian lowers his voice.

“Dad has already ordered a broader access review.”

I stare at him.

“What access review?”

“Anyone who had recent unsupervised contact with you or me. Consultants, outside advisers, media, temporary staff. Anyone who might have been exposed to material the regulators could care about.”

“When?”

“This morning.”

“Without telling me.”

“He didn’t need your permission.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

Adrian exhales.

“He’s scared.”