Chapter 59: Shadows of Ariana
The morning sun rays went through the glass windows of the Camelo estate and fell on the desk of Ariana, who was standing in silence reading the headlines. All the tabloids, all the financial blogs and even the otherwise objective media houses were rife with accusations against her just a few days before. All of them had suddenly grown quiet, though, now.
A knock came to her attention.
Lincoln interfered, as usual put about sharp, with a little bow. "He wants to see you."
Ariana eyebrowed. "Jesse?"
"Yes, Miss Camelo. In the penthouse conference suite."
Ariana sighed. Jesse had been standing in the shadows supporting her after all the sabotage and media fire storm and underhanded campaigns. It was like he remained an enigma to her, aloof yet there whenever she needed him. Their marriage was a contract still binding, a cage to which she had walked in on her own will, to outwit Antony and Rachel. However, the way Jesse had been involved had changed, had gradually become more involved and deliberate.
She walked into the penthouse suite with its floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a panoramic view of the city she was gradually taking over. Jesse was standing before the window, in the hand a black espresso.
I had not suspected you took to surprises of this kind, said she.
He turned as cool as before. "I'm not. But I don't like when people mess with what's mine."
Her pulses leaped. She did not lose the possessiveness in his tone.
What do you mean?" she inquired warily.
Jesse came over to the desk and pushed a file in front of her. "This media house Red Cast Global played a large role in fueling the smear campaign against you. I acquired a majority stake this morning."
Ariana opened the pages, stock purchases, restructuring of the board, internal memoranda. "You just bought a whole company overnight?"
Jesse shrugged a little. "Leo laid the groundwork. I just signed the papers."
The Leo Feng name caused her mouth to twitch into an unusual smile. Of course. The ghost of the machine. The artificial intelligence genius that she had saved him out of financial disaster. Leo had been assembling a digital empire without making a sound. All the rumors, all the leaks, all the change of mood in the population he had monitored like wrapping silk around an algorithm.
The message that Leo had sent the night before had arrived: Operation Clean Cut is underway. 3 hours at most.
Not now, Ariana comprehended.
She put away the file. Jesse, why did you do it?
He stared at her, and his eyes were inscrutable. "Because I won't let anyone tear you down. Not in my name."
In his sincerity her chest tightened. Yet she covered it up with a scoff. "You're just protecting your investment."
"Maybe. However, there are investments which are more valuable than profit.
Her eyes were drawn away before she was prepared to feel vulnerable, as his words made her feel.
---
Ariana entered the secret digital bunker of Leo Feng that was later that evening, located on the upper floor of a seemingly abandoned tech building. He was sitting in front of six monitors with lines of codes, newsfeeds, and stock trackers.
The digital footprint of RedCast is nullified, he reported without looking up. And their influencer farm is re-focused at charity campaigns. I discovered something, too, I found something… interesting."
Ariana looked up an eyebrow.
Leo retrieved encrypted emails and payments according to Rachel. "She hired a shell PR firm that managed anonymous social media accounts. And now all are gone. But one of the media managers was also working with Antony's financial consultant."
She leant forward. That way, they are tied together.
Leo nodded. "And we can squeeze them. But slowly. It's better they think they are winning."
She was intent on her eyes. And just as we had planned.
Leo dropped back in his chair, looking at her amusedly. "You're different now, Ariana. Sharper. I remember when you were just the heiress who saved me with a stubborn will and ten thousand dollars."
She laughed a little. "Now, now I am the woman who can destroy an empire with signature and a smile."
He smiled his assent. And Thou hast Jesse now.
Ariana hesitated. I have him in my eye. I do not know what that is yet."
Leo spoke lower. They are watching him, Ariana. He is interested in you. That is dangerous... or useful. Perhaps both."
---
Ariana was back at the Camelo estate and was preparing a second board meeting. The scandal was all over, owing to Leo and Jesse, but the war did not end. Rachel and Antony had still strong allies. And now, however, Ariana was something more than an heiress.
She was standing in front of the mirror straightening the hard lines of her cream silk suit. She appeared to be powerful. She was empowered.
Her phone rang her back to the world. A letter by Jesse.
Never show them that you are bleeding.
She smiled. Not because she required his protection- but because it was pleasant to know that she was not alone.
---
During board meeting, there were whispers in the room. The ownership in Red Cast Global had changed and everybody knew that Jesse Ren was involved in it. Ariana did not allow them to write the story though.
She was standing clear-eyed and unmoved.
I do not come here to plead a reputation. I would want to remind you that this company was not created by the blood of my grandfather and the hands of my father. And now, it is going to be modernized according to my vision."
One of the board members, who were old, frowned. And how about the defamation? Do you refuse the allegations?"
She smiled, and was cuttingly calm. "No. I took them apart. With facts. With data. With actions. And yes,--with power."
The silence which succeeded was full of respect.
---
Much later that night Jesse met her on the rooftop garden, which he had used in the past to hold only secret meetings. Now it was only the two of them.
I thought you might have tried to boss me around like all the rest, said she, taking a taste of the wine.
He sat down by her, and looked straight at her. Ariana, you are not letting anybody boss you around.
She gazed seriously at him. What is your reason, really, to help me?
He would not turn aside. You make me think of what power is like when it is purposeful. And what I like about that. And perhaps, I want to belong to something bigger than fortune and inheritance."
A moment later neither said a word. The sky over them was still and clear at night.
At last she said in a low voice, I cannot tell whether I can trust you or not yet.
I do not want you to. You just know I am here."
And it seemed to Ariana, for the first time, since that marriage-contract was signed, that something had changed within her, not that she trusted--not that--but that there was a possibility.
The game was now different. And she now had her ghost: Leo in the online. Jesse in the limelight. And herself,..bred to malice by a forfeit,..legacy.
The empire still remained. Not long, however.