# Chapter 55: Aldric Escalates
The story broke on a Wednesday morning at 7:18.
Priya had it printed and on his desk before eight, three related search results clipped behind it. Mid-level financial press. Specific enough to be taken seriously by the people whose opinions moved markets. Not a major outlet, but close enough to one that the major outlets would pick it up within twenty-four hours if nobody moved fast.
Roman read it twice. Then he called Lars.
Lars was already in the building. He had the sourcing pattern analysis on the conference table within forty minutes: the anonymous tip structure, the way the information had been split across two separate contacts to the publication to create the appearance of independent corroboration, the specific timing relative to Aldric's other r
