Chapter 26: A Crosswell Threat

The briefing began without ceremony.

Nathaniel listened in silence as the projections shifted across the screen, each slide more precise than the last. Port schematics. Regulatory timelines. Investment exposure. The room was sealed. Phones off. Assistants excluded.

Only his core remained.

Lucas stood at the head of the table. Ethan leaned back with his arms crossed. Marcus occupied the far corner, tablet in hand, attention divided between data and the exits. Oliver sat nearest the screen, fingers steepled, eyes sharp.

“The delay is official,” Lucas said. “Filed under environmental reassessment. No objections cited. No appeals invited.”

Nathaniel did not react.

“Whitmore-backed,” Ethan said flatly. “Quietly.”

“Yes,” Lucas replied. “They didn’t sign it. They shaped it.”

Oliver tapped the screen, bringing up a timeline. “The regulators involved have no public Whitmore affiliation. But their advisory firms do.”

“How long,” Nathaniel asked.

“Six to nine months,” Lucas said. “Minimum.”

“Tha