Page 191 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“In what way?”

Adrian looks directly at me.

“We used to assume good faith until someone gave us a reason not to.”

“And now?”

“Now we verify first.”

His tone remains conversational, but the point lands exactly where he intends it to. I write the answer down anyway.

By the time Vivian walks into the room after lunch, I am already prepared for worse. She sits across from me with a legal binder open in front of her and acknowledges me with a brief nod.

“Ms. Callahan.”

“Vivian.”

Her expression does not change.

I ask about the compliance restructuring first, then the regulatory concessions, then the internal changes that followed the investigation. Vivian gives precise answers and no extra language.

When I ask how Blackwell’s legal culture changed afterward, she folds her hands over the binder.

“We stopped assuming access was harmless.”

I hold her gaze.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning access creates exposure.”

There is no softness in her voice.

I know exactly what she is saying.

I also know better than to react.

“So the company became more restrictive.”

“The company became more disciplined.”

“Some people would call that defensive.”

“Some people make careers out of calling things whatever creates the strongest headline.”

I let that sit between us for half a second before writing it down. Vivian watches the pen move.

“You’re quoting that?” she asks.

“If you want it off the record, say so.”

“I didn’t.”

“Then yes.”

For the first time, something almost like recognition passes through her face.

Then it is gone.