diff --git a/includes/interceptors/class-tmdo-sync-bridge.php b/includes/interceptors/class-tmdo-sync-bridge.php
index 94c39b4..0e5d722 100644
--- a/includes/interceptors/class-tmdo-sync-bridge.php
+++ b/includes/interceptors/class-tmdo-sync-bridge.php
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ class TMDO_Sync_Bridge {
 			return $value;
 		}
 
+		// P1-24: defer to Hook Bus for reads when post entity is dual_write or higher.
+		if ( self::is_owned_by_entity_bridge( $meta_key ) ) {
+			return $value;
+		}
+
 		$module = $this->get_zone_module( $field['zone'], $post_type );
 		if ( ! TMDO_Feature_Flags::is_read_custom( $module ) ) {
 			return $value;
@@ -245,6 +250,11 @@ class TMDO_Sync_Bridge {
 			return;
 		}
 
+		// P1-24: skip zone cleanup when Hook Bus owns this key (aeav_only blocks native delete).
+		if ( self::is_owned_by_entity_bridge( $meta_key ) ) {
+			return;
+		}
+
 		$module = $this->get_zone_module( $field['zone'], $post_type );
 		if ( ! TMDO_Feature_Flags::is_write_active( $module ) ) {
 			return;