The first headline appeared before sunrise. By eight o'clock, there were twenty more. By noon, every major financial publication, business network, and industry analyst was discussing Adrian Hawthorne's name, not because of a victory or because of another acquisition but because his credibility was collapsing.
The conference room on the top floor of Hawthorne Holdings headquarters remained silent as the largest screen displayed a constant stream of news coverage; several executives sat around the table, nobody spoke, and nobody wanted to be the first person to acknowledge what everyone already understood.
The situation had moved beyond damage control. Adrian stood near the window with his hands in his pockets. From the outside, he appeared calm; his expression remained composed, his posture remained straight, and his voice, when he finally spoke, carried the same controlled authority it always had.
"How much additional exposure do we have?"
