The shift didn’t wait.
It never did once a fault had been exposed.
By morning, it had structure.
The notification arrived before I reached my desk.
Not flagged in red.
Not hidden in subtle language.
Mandatory Review Notice
Executive-Level Disclosure Alignment
I didn’t open it immediately.
I didn’t need to.
This was no longer beneath the surface.
This was formal.
Around me, the office moved with its usual precision—assistants crossing corridors, executives entering glass rooms, voices low and controlled. But the illusion of normalcy had shattered. The process had begun.
“You’ve seen it.”
His voice came from behind me—measured, calm. Too calm.
I turned slightly. Not fully. Not here.
“Yes.”
A pause.
“Scope?” I asked.
“Initial review,” Shawn replied. “Internal compliance trig
