Chapter 24
Rumors weren’t new to Arianne.
Even when she was younger, she was surrounded by it. She noticed them before they announced themselves, but never acknowledged their existence.
Voices that paused, words that trailed off whenever she was near, questions wrapped in concern, casually thrown. No one repeated them outright, but they easily spread.
Arianne noticed it by the third day.
Meetings took longer to start. Approvals returned with additional comments attached. They were polite, but unnecessary.
Someone had suggested that it was understandable she would want to stay involved given her “personal circumstances p>
’She lost the Summers Corporation. Now, she’s trying to make a comeback using Alexander’s empire p>
’She couldn’t worm her way to the Rochefort Family when Alexander didn’t marry her. Perhaps she was targeting the younger brother now p>
Another had wondered aloud whether boundaries became blurred when children were involved at all.
The insinuation was enough to make Gio’s blood boil with anger, but Arianne restrained him.
By the second afternoon, the rumor had evolved.
It wasn’t about competence anymore. It was about motivation.
She’s attached, someone had said lightly. Emotionally invested.
Another voice had laughed. Wouldn’t you be? Given the arrangement.
Then, a name began appearing more frequently in the emails, always positioned just close enough to decision-making to be visible.
Marcus Hale.
He was competent, at least on paper. Senior enough to be heard, junior enough to be careless—and bold. He was that kind of man who smiled easily and spoke as though he were offering help.
Arianne had crossed paths with him before. In a short meeting where Dominic had spoken with Marcus about a business venture, the latter presented.
She remembered him well.
The connection wasn’t one Dominic would ever acknowledge. It didn’t need to be. Men like Marcus collected associations the way others collected credentials. He had built his confidence on association and connection, not authority.
And now, Marcus was testing her.
The first time he questioned her, it was indirect. His words were wrapped in feigned curiosity.
“I was under the impression,” Marcus said mildly, “that consultants typically advise rather than direct—especially when their involvement is… personal p>
The room went quiet, and their eyes shifted immediately towards her.
Arianne didn’t acknowledge him immediately. She finished reading the document she was holding, then lifted her gaze.
“Is there a concern with the directive?” she asked.
Marcus smiled. “Only with clarity p>
“Then you have it,” Arianne said, nodding once. “You may proceed p>
He did.
But this time, he was bolder.
The approval for a minor integration step was stalled without explanation. When asked, Marcus cited additional review requirements and several legal excuses, such as compliance and alignment. All technically valid—and entirely unnecessary.
Franz glanced at Arianne across the table.
She shook her head once.
Let him.
By the end of the week, the rumors started to making itself known.
Just temporary.
Personal connection.
No real authority.
Arianne didn’t hear any of it directly, but that was the point.
But when Marcus spoke again, he did so openly.
“Before we move forward,” he said during their coordination meeting, “I think it’s worth addressing whether this approval should wait until executive confirmation p>
“From whom?” Franz asked, frowning at the man’s audacity to question Arianne’s authority.
Marcus spread his hands as if to prove his point.
“From someone permanent p>
The implication wasn’t lost on everyone. Their eyes shifted on Arianne to see her reaction, but her expression remained unreadable.
Franz’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Voicing his opinion on this matter might only make it difficult for Arianne.
Arianne studied Marcus for a moment.
“On what grounds?” she asked.
Marcus hesitated for a moment, surprised by how unbothered she was.
“Procedure,” he finally said. “Given the scope p>
Arianne nodded. “Then cite it p>
Marcus blinked. “Excuse me p>
“Which procedure?” Arianne answered calmly. “The framework allows for this approval. If you are contesting it, I’d like to know under which clause p>
Lucas, who was silently listening to the conversation, smiled. Others might contest Arianne’s authority, but no one can question the framework approved by the Chairman himself.
Marcus laughed. “It’s not a contest, Ms. Summers. Just a precaution p>
“Then proceed,” Arianne insisted.
He didn’t.
Instead, he smiled again, looking unbothered by her demand.
“We’ll revisit it once leadership confirms p>
The boardroom fell silent, but the disrespect was loud.
The meeting adjourned shortly after.
As Arianne gathered her papers without haste, Marcus came to her and leaned closer. He lowered his voice just enough for her to hear clearly.
“No offense, Ms. Summers,” he said. “But people talk p>
Arianne lifted her gaze then, her expression unreadable.
“Isn’t that what people always do?” she replied.
The smile on Marcus’s face faltered. He excused himself and left without another word.
That evening, Gio placed a folder on her desk.
“Background,” he said. “Just in case p>
Arianne thanked him. She liked how fast and efficient her brother was. She hadn’t told him to gather the information, but Gio had already made the move.
She read what it contained.
Marcus Hale’s career trajectory. His sudden promotions and his inexplicable confidence. Gio even went so far as to collect the skeletons Marcus must have been hiding in his closet.
The information also reaffirmed her earlier knowledge that Marcus Hale was connected to Dominic Blackwood, albeit in a professional and deniable capacity.
Arianne closed the folder.
Marcus believed rumors would affect her. He even assumed Franz would intervene, but Arianne knew better.
He was wrong on all counts.
“Sent a meeting notice tomorrow morning,” she told Gio.
Gio’s dark eyes gleamed, a smile spreading on his lips.
What he detested the most were people talking badly about his elder sister. For him, their criticisms stemmed from their incompetence.
“Leave the rest to me,” he assured Arianne.
Since she had chosen to make a move, Gio wanted to see this through to the end.
The next morning, a single meeting notice was sent out. It was a mandatory attendance, but there was no agenda attached.
Marcus accepted it within minutes, unaware of what was to come.
Arianne stared at her screen and smiled faintly.
Whispers didn’t need proof, but consequences did.