Three days after the secret meeting at Riverside, the financial world suddenly shook.
Not a major earthquake.
Not a national crisis.
Just one small piece of news at first.
Regulators launched a surprise audit against several large companies over suspected cross-border ownership violations.
Adrian's name was listed.
Ethan's name was too.
Sophia read the news in the dining room that morning.
Her heart immediately felt uneasy.
"This is too fast," she said softly.
Adrian had already received the report earlier.
"Marcus."
No suspicion.
Certainty.
At Adrian's headquarters, the atmosphere turned tense.
Rafael entered with a tablet in hand.
"Regulators are requesting a temporary freeze on some of our international transaction channels."
"Reason?" Adrian asked calmly.
"Suspected manipulation of subsidiary structures."
Adrian let out a short laugh.
"That structure is legal."
"Yes. But the audit could panic the market."
And the market did panic.
