Page 86 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“Only the parts involving Ms. Callahan.”

I look at him.

Daniel’s expression remains professionally neutral.

“Do you need something?” I ask.

“No,” he replies. “I just wanted to make sure your car is still set for tomorrow.”

“It is.”

“Then you’re done.”

He turns toward the door.

“Daniel.”

He looks back.

“Make sure Sophie’s airport transfer is confirmed before I leave.”

“It already is.”

“Confirm it again.”

Daniel gives one short nod. “I will.”

***

The following evening, I board the flight to Milan with the itinerary stored on my tablet and enough work to occupy most of the trip. I answer emails through dinner, review the European projections, and spend the remaining hours trying unsuccessfully to sleep.

By the time we descend toward Milan the next morning, sunlight is breaking across northern Italy, turning the landscape beneath the plane gold at the edges. I look out through the window and watch as the runway rises below.

From the moment I arrive, the schedule moves exactly as planned. The regional strategy meeting runs through most of the morning, followed by a review of the European expansion numbers with Matteo Ricci, our managing director for Italy, and Alessandra Conti, who oversees operations across Southern Europe. Matteo has been with Blackwell for nearly fifteen years and knows the Milan office well enough to identify trouble before it reaches New York. Alessandra is newer, sharper in her delivery, and unimpressed by hierarchy in a way I appreciate.

“The manufacturing numbers are stronger than the forecast,” Alessandra says as she slides a report across the conference table.

“But if procurement keeps approving suppliers at the current pace, the margin disappears by the fourth quarter.”

Matteo glances at her. “That’s an optimistic interpretation.”

“It’s the polite interpretation,” she replies.

I scan the figures before closing the report.

“Then fix procurement before we have to discuss the impolite version.”

Alessandra smiles. “Already started.”

The rest of the day passes in the same rhythm: meetings, site reviews, numbers, decisions. By the time I sit down for an early dinner with several associates near the hotel, I have answered enough questions to occupy my attention without effort.

Still, I check the time twice. Sophie lands tomorrow morning. Her car is confirmed. Daniel sent the driver's information this afternoon, along with the arrival details and a reminder that her flight could be early depending on winds. I know all of that because I read the message more carefully than necessary.

Dinner ends shortly after 9:00. Back in my suite, I loosen my tie and stand near the windows with my phone in hand, looking over the itinerary for the following morning. The driver is scheduled to meet Sophie at the terminal. I stare at the line for several seconds before calling Daniel.

He answers on the second ring. “Everything all right?”

“Yes,” I reply. “Change tomorrow's airport transfer.”