Chapter 13
Silence lingered after the presentation ended.
Lily didn’t look away from Arianne. She studied her face carefully, as if waiting for some clue to appear. When it didn’t, she spoke again.
“Is that why you didn’t stay p>
Her question was soft, but careful. It wasn’t an accusation.
Arianne exhaled slowly. She folded her hands in her lap, keeping her posture relaxed.
“Lily, sometimes staying doesn’t mean protecting people.
Lily frowned slightly. “But leaving hurts p>
“Yes,” Arianne agreed. “It does.
She didn’t elaborate further. She doubted Lily could grasp the world’s complexity.
Aunt Estella inhaled softly behind her, but didn’t interrupt.
“So you plan only to return when you lose someone again p>
Arianne was stunned in place. Her mind, usually occupied with strategies, went blank.
Lily’s blunt question caught her off guard.
“So you think it would be better if I stay?” she asked Lily in return.
“Daddy said that no matter how hard the problem was, he would not abandon his friends and family. Aren’t you family, Aunt Aria p>
Arianne stared at the young girl. The set of her jaw, the intelligent gleam in her eyes, and her bluntness. It all reminded Arianne of Alex. Lily was still young, but her strategic mind was already developing.
“Do you have any questions?” Lily pointed to their presentation.
A slow, incredulous smile appeared on Arianne’s lips.
“A few, actually,” she started. “Marriage is a very big promise between two grown-ups. Does your uncle want to make that promise to me p>
“I’m sure Uncle Franz wouldn’t mind marrying you,” Lily said confidently this time. “He needs help, and Daddy said the best deals help both sides. You help Uncle Franz with the company, and he helps you be safe and strong again. “
Arianne doubted the girl’s claim, but didn’t voice it.
“What if I don’t want to marry him p>
The question hung between them.
Lily was taken aback. Truthfully, she hadn’t considered that Arianne would refuse to marry their Uncle Franz. She didn’t think there was any woman who was immune to his charm.
He was Noah Hart. From being a matinee idol, his name became a household name over the years.
“Then we’ll find another solution,” Lily said at last.
Arianne nodded. “That’s reasonable. “
Leo shifted beside his sister. Worry started to creep into him as he listened to Arianne’s questions.
“And if my stay causes trouble for anyone?” Arianne pressed gently.
The twins weren’t aware of it, but it was already starting.
Lily pressed her lips into a thin line. She hesitated, then answered. “Then we will find a way for you to stay. It’s not for others to decide whether you stay or not, but it would be nice if you were here with us. You, marrying our Uncle Franz, seemed to be the most effective solution p>
Effective.
The word repeated in Arianne’s mind.
“But effective solutions aren’t always the safe ones p>
Lily looked confused. “Why not p>
“Because some solutions invite attention, little one,” Arianne replied. “And attention brings consequences p>
Samantha gave Arianne a knowing look.
Leo pondered for a moment before writing on his board again.
“But Uncle Franz is already on the screen. People already look p>
Arianne smiled. She knew the children might misunderstand.
“Yes,” Arianne sighed, patting his head. “And that’s exactly why more people watching makes things harder, not easier p>
Lily’s eyes brimmed with tears. It sounded to her as if Arianne was rejecting their proposal.
She curled her fingers at the hem of her dress.
“But.. but Uncle Franz is always tired. He pretends he isn’t, but he is p>
Arianne didn’t say a word this time.
Leo scribbled something on his board and showed it to Arianne. It read: “He burned the popcorn last time p>
Arianne almost smiled.
“Wanting something badly doesn’t make it harmless. And marriage between two people doesn’t solve all problems. You also have to consider if your Uncle Franz would be happy p>
She glanced once more at the drawing the twins presented.
“You argue very well, you know. Your daddy once tried to convince me that sharing answers on a math test wasn’t cheating. He said it was an efficient solution to make all of us pass p>
Her words lighten up the mood between her and the twins.
Lily giggled.
“That sounds like Daddy. Did you share p>
A genuine smile spread on Arianne’s lips. Who would have thought that the enigmatic and domineering CEO of Rochefort Group had a love-hate relationship with mathematics?
“No. I beat him by three points. But later, I helped him study for the next one. Because even rivals can be on the same team p>
She looked from Lily to Leo.
“And you two are offering me a very good spot on your team p>
Lily’s breath hitched. A slight blush appeared in her chubby cheeks.
“Is it a good offer?” she asked.
Arianne reached out a hand and wiped away the tears that managed to fall on Lily’s cheeks. Lily blinked, failing to notice that she was in tears.
“It’s the most interesting presentation I’ve ever received. You made a very strong case, Miss Rochefort p>
Lily sniffed and dried her tears with the back of her hand.
“But I need time,” Arianne continued, “I’m sorry, Lily. This isn’t something I can answer today p>
Lily nodded, accepting that without protest.
Aunt Estella stepped forward then, resting a hand lightly on Arianne’s shoulder. She said nothing, but the gesture was enough to calm Arianne.
Samantha cleared her throat softly.
“We should go,” she said to the twins.
Lily gathered the papers carefully. Leo followed her toward the door, glancing back once.
Arianne remained seated long after they were gone.
Lily’s question echoed in her mind—quiet, unyielding.
So you plan only to return when you lose someone again?
She had faced boardrooms, betrayals, and public ruin without flinching.
Yet it was a child’s question—innocent and unguarded—that left her without an answer.