Page 187 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“Then I’ll keep this brief.”

Her voice is steady. She came prepared for this meeting, prepared for me, and that knowledge does nothing to make the sight of her sitting across from my desk feel normal.

Sophie continues, “My agreement with Vanguard Business Journal gives me full editorial independence. Blackwell won’t have approval over framing, conclusions, or final copy. I’ll respect privilege and existing confidentiality restrictions, but I’ll need the executive and archival access already approved in the agreement.”

“That’s been cleared,” I tell her.

“I also need attributable interviews to remain attributable as given. Factual corrections are fine. Revisions after the fact aren’t.”

I look up at her.

“Vivian agreed to that?”

“She did.”

That tells me more than it should.

Vivian does not give ground easily.

I glance back down at the packet.

“Then I don’t see a problem.”

“Good.”

The word settles between us.

Sophie turns one page in her notes.

“I’ll be meeting with Adrian, Elena, Vivian, several division heads, and the archive team while I’m in New York. I’ll also need multiple sessions with you.”

“I’m aware.”

She looks at me for a moment, and I make myself hold her gaze without letting mine linger.

Seven years have changed her, but not enough to make those eyes unfamiliar.

I break eye contact and reach for the schedule instead.

“The executive team will cooperate with whatever was approved,” I say.

“Anything outside that scope goes through Legal.”

“That’s fine.”

Another pause follows, brief but heavy.

Sophie shifts the portfolio slightly on her lap.

“If there’s anything you want clarified before we begin, now would be the time.”

There are several things I want clarified.

None of them belong in this room.

“No,” I tell her.

“You have your terms. Blackwell has ours.”