"That's right," the first officer quickly seized the opening, stepping forward with renewed authority as the crowd's attention snapped back to him. "We said Mr. De. Not De Warden."
He paused just long enough for that distinction to sink in before continuing, his tone shifting into something more controlled, more official.
"The individual publicly executed two weeks ago was indeed De Warden," he said. "However… intelligence reports confirm that he had close relatives operating within his network."
A ripple of surprise went through the crowd.
"Relatives?" someone echoed.
"Yes," the officer pressed on smoothly, even though the faint tightening of his jaw betrayed how quickly he was constructing this narrative. "A brother. Similar appearance. Similar build. It is not unusual for criminal organizations to use family members as decoys or replacements."
