Chapter 60
The massive gates opened slowly, allowing the car to enter the Rochefort mansion grounds. Arianne glanced out the window and saw the familiar driveway curving between old trees planted in two even rows. The ancestral estate stood ahead, intact and imposing.
The outer walls remained unchanged, the stone facade showing no visible signs of renovation. The crest above the main entrance had not been altered. Nothing about the estate suggested transition, even though leadership inside it had already shifted.
She had lost count of how many times she had come here. Though she was now married to Franz, the estate had never felt like home. Gravel shifted beneath the tires before settling again.
When the car came to a stop beneath the front portico, Arianne unfastened the twins from their car seats before opening the door. The twins stepped out first. They hurried across the front steps and pushed through the main doors, Lily calling for their grandmother as they entered.
The marble floor inside echoed under their steps. The foyer felt quieter than usual. The chandelier above remained lit, though only half of the wall sconces along the perimeter were turned on. The sound of staff movement, once constant in the mornings, was noticeably reduced.
Leo carried the large blue whale doll Arianne had bought for him, holding it under his arm as he ran.
Amanda bent to hug her grandchildren, kissing their cheeks before straightening. She stepped forward before Arianne moved farther inside.
“I owe you an apology,” she said quietly. “For the wedding p>
Arianne held her gaze. “There’s no need p>
“There is.” Amanda’s fingers tightened briefly around her clutch. “And… you may call me Mother, if you wish p>
Arianne did not hesitate. “Auntie is fine p>
The correction was deliberate. Titles defined boundaries more clearly than affection ever could.
A brief pause followed.
Amanda nodded once. She didn’t insist further.
“Vincent is in the study p>
Arianne acknowledged her with a nod but made no promise. She left the twins with Amanda in the foyer and walked toward the staircase at the far end of the hall. The stairs curved upward along the right wall of the foyer.
The corridor on the second floor remained unchanged. Wall sconces lined both sides at equal intervals. The patterned carpet ran straight toward the study door at the far end.
The study door stood closed.
When she reached it, Arianne adjusted the cuff of her sleeve before knocking once. She entered after hearing his permission.
Vincent sat behind the wide mahogany desk near the window. He appeared weaker than the last time she had seen him.
The curtains behind him were half drawn. A glass of water sat untouched near his right hand. A stack of documents rested at the corner of the desk closest to the lamp.
“Chairman,” she said, inclining her head in greeting. Some habits were difficult to change even after marriage.
Vincent remained seated upright, hands folded on the desk. He did not rise. He studied her for a moment before speaking.
The desk separated them. The space between their chairs was measured, neither too close nor overly distant. It preserved formality. The arrangement had not been changed since Vincent last presided over the room.
“You brought the twins with you?” he asked.
Arianne nodded. “They wanted to see you p>
Vincent allowed a brief smile before his expression settled again. He gestured to the chair opposite him.
“Please p>
Arianne took the seat directly across the desk, keeping her back straight. Silence settled between them. Neither of them rushed to fill it. The pause allowed the acknowledgment to settle before the next matter was addressed.
“You’ve kept the company afloat p>
The quarterly reports reflected it. So did the stabilized share price and the absence of public dispute.
Arianne did not respond immediately.
“That was not a small burden p>
“I didn’t do it alone,” she said. “Franz is with me p>
“I placed you in a temporary role without asking whether you wanted it p>
Arianne met his gaze. “It was necessary p>
“I do not plan to return to work anytime soon,” Vincent continued. “You and Franz will retain your positions. The company requires stability and continuity p>
She nodded.
“But if you wish to step down, now is the moment. Do you wish to step down p>
Arianne held his gaze.
“No.” She did not elaborate. The decision did not require justification.
Reversal would invite instability.
A knock sounded at the door. Vincent and Arianne glanced at it.
Franz entered without delay. The door closed behind him with a muted click.
He wore a dark coat and round eyeglasses. Beneath the coat, he was still in dark blue hospital scrubs and thick-soled shoes. It suggested he had come directly from the set.
The schedule overlap was visible in his attire. He had not returned home first.
“Sorry I’m late,” Franz said to Arianne before greeting his father.
“Father p>
Vincent regarded him briefly. “You and Arianne will keep your positions for now. Stability depends on both of you p>
“Understood,” Franz replied.
Vincent appeared ready to continue when the door opened again—this time without a knock.
The door swung wider against the wall. The abrupt movement broke the measured quiet of the room, altering the formal atmosphere without dismantling it.
Lily pushed it open and hurried inside.
“Grandpa! Grandpa! Do you feel better now p>
She went straight to Vincent and placed her hands on his knee. Leo followed more quietly and moved toward Arianne, holding her hand while keeping the whale doll tucked under his other arm.
Vincent’s expression softened. He placed his hand over Lily’s. A smile spread on his lips as he regarded her.
“Sorry for making you worry, Lily. Grandpa feels better now p>
He looked past her toward Arianne.
“The company will continue as it has,” he said. “Under your direction p>
Franz did not object.
Arianne inclined her head once.
The matter required no amendment.
The transfer had already occurred in practice. What remained was acknowledgment. No further vote was necessary. No revision would be entertained.