Transmigrated: Stealing the CEO husband-Chapter 61: Altercation

"Where did you get the videos?" He asked in a low tone.

"Let’s just say I’ve means," Ariana gave the vague reply. "Personal means."

It seemed only Ariana had the videos, not Luiss or anyone from Luiss Groups.

"I do not wish to have a personal grudge with President Gerald." Ariana spoke with caution, "With this video, we can literally destroy you and you’ll have no escape from Mr. James’ wrath."

Gerald’s jaw tensed.

"But," she said, taking a sip of her Kir Royale, the appetizer drink. "I won’t do so. I just hope President Gerald can reverse the damage he has done to the marketing team."

"Are you threatening me?" Gerald’s tone was dangerously low.

"Threatening? No. Far from it. I just hope we can cooperate to the best of the Skyline Estates interests rather than engage in meaningless squabbles. It’s a cooperation I want. Nothing more."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If President Gerald wishes so, he can still bring down Luiss’ Groups while I can bring down your corporation. But what I wanna ask is what’s the use of it? What is the use of lighting a fire that would engulf us all? I do not wish to go to war with President Gerald."

Gerald’s tensed expression eased a bit. He was getting what Ariana wanted to say.

"You won’t release those videos."

"I won’t", Ariana said with determination. "These are the means of defence, not offence."

"Fine," Gerald relented. "I will withdraw my influence from the marketing team"

"With this, I hope to create goodwill with President Gerald." She gave a bow.

After lunch, Ariana got back to the company and conducted interviews for an assistant. After some five interviews, the person of interest emerged as Everette Morgrave.

The warm afternoon light filtered through the tall glass windows of Ariana’s office, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern furniture. A lingering taste of blackcurrant and Champagne from her Kir Royale still tingled on her tongue. The meeting with Gerald had been tense, but fruitful. For now, she had managed to push back his interference, securing breathing space for herself and her team.

But there was little time to dwell on that victory—now, she had to focus on recruiting the right assistant.

Ariana sat at her desk, scanning the résumé of Everette Morgrave. The name alone sent a chill through her. She had read his file in the original story. He had been the female lead’s unwavering supporter, a cunning strategist who had played a decisive role in Ariana’s downfall.

And now, fate had delivered him right into her hands.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, setting the résumé down. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The door opened smoothly, and Everette Morgrave stepped in. He was taller than she had imagined, dressed in a sharp navy suit that accentuated his lean build. His black hair was neatly combed back, and behind his rectangular glasses, his silver-gray eyes held a sharp intelligence. He carried himself with quiet confidence, his movements precise, controlled.

"Miss Ariana," he greeted her with a polite nod.

Ariana studied him carefully, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Please, have a seat."

Everette sat across from her, his posture straight, hands resting lightly on the arms of the chair. He looked perfectly composed, unreadable. She wondered if he already suspected something—or if, in this version of events, he was still unaware of the storm that would unfold between them.

"Tell me, Mr. Morgrave," Ariana began, lacing her fingers together. "Why do you want this position?"

Everette met her gaze without hesitation. "Because I believe I can be of great assistance to you," he said smoothly. "I specialize in handling corporate negotiations, damage control, and public relations—areas where your company has recently encountered... obstacles."

Ariana’s lips curled in amusement. "That’s a rather diplomatic way of putting it."

Everette offered a small, polite smile in response. "I believe in addressing challenges, not dwelling on past difficulties."

Clever. He wasn’t just competent—he was dangerous. His words were calculated, his demeanor poised. He was precisely the kind of person she needed. And the kind of person she had to keep close.

She leaned back in her chair, tilting her head slightly. "And why should I trust you, Mr. Morgrave?"

There was the faintest glimmer of something in his eyes—was it amusement? Confidence?

"Trust is built, not given," he replied calmly. "Give me a chance, and I will prove my worth."

Ariana drummed her fingers on the desk, contemplating her next move. In the original story, Everette had been the female lead’s greatest asset. But what if she could turn him into hers instead?

She tapped the edge of his résumé once before sliding it aside. "Very well. You’re hired."

Everette didn’t react visibly, but Ariana sensed a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Thank you, Miss Ariana. I won’t disappoint you."

She smiled, though the weight of the situation pressed at the back of her mind. "See that you don’t."

This was a dangerous gamble, but Ariana had no intention of losing.

...

It was the third conference since the start of the project. When Ariana walked out of the conference room to go to the restroom, she stumbled into Daniel Voss.

"Excuse me, "She tried to side step him but he deliberately blocked her pathway.

"I have heard you have been giving trouble to my little sister a lot." The man was clothed in luxurious clothes. His bearing, confident. He appeared to be someone who put a lot of thought into his appearance. Surrounding him were his minions

"And you must be Daniel Voss?" Ariana raised an eyebrow."Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now if you would let me, I need to be present at the conference."

"SInce you already know who I am, you are not getting anywhere." He glared at her.

"Oh, what you gonna do about it?" Ariana raised the side of her lips.

"You!" Daniel shoved her. Ariana could have dodged but she didn’t. She let his hand touch her and push her backwards.

The area close to rest restrooms lacked surveillance cameras. Daniel could be unhinged and it appeared he chose this place specifically.

"You are going to apologize to her." He asserted. "For the things you have done. There is no alternative. You should be wise enough not to make an enemy out of her or me or us."

Ariana stumbled back a step from Daniel Voss’s shove, but she didn’t lose her balance. Instead, she let out a small breath, steadying herself as her eyes darkened with quiet amusement.

Daniel’s lips curled into a smirk, mistaking her silence for weakness. "What? Cat got your tongue now?"

Ariana brushed off the nonexistent dust from her sleeve. "Do you think the likes of you can afford a—"

A sudden voice cut through the tense air.

"Step away from her, Daniel."

The smooth yet commanding tone made both of them turn.

Gerald.

The man approached with measured steps, his tailored dark suit giving him an air of unshakable authority. His expression was cold, unreadable, but his gaze was locked onto Daniel with an unmistakable edge of warning.

Daniel scoffed but didn’t step back. "Gerald," he sneered. "Didn’t expect to see you playing the knight in shining armor."

Gerald stopped just beside Ariana, his hands casually in his pockets, exuding calm confidence. "I don’t play games, Daniel," he said evenly. "Especially not over something as petty as this."

Daniel’s face darkened. "Petty?" His fingers curled into fists. "That woman humiliated my sister! Do you expect me to let that go?"

Ariana tilted her head slightly, her lips twitching. "If your sister can’t handle the consequences of her own actions, maybe she shouldn’t have picked a fight with me in the first place."

Daniel’s eyes flashed with rage, and he took a step forward as if ready to lash out again—but before he could do anything, Gerald’s hand shot out, grabbing Daniel’s wrist in a firm, unyielding grip.

"I said," Gerald’s voice dropped to a near whisper, "step away."

For a moment, the air in the hallway grew thick with tension. The two men stared each other down, neither willing to be the first to back down.

Daniel clenched his jaw, his pride clearly battling against the warning in Gerald’s eyes. But in the end, reason won over impulse. He jerked his hand free and let out a sharp breath.

"This isn’t over," he muttered, casting Ariana a glare before turning on his heel. His minions followed closely behind, shooting wary glances at Gerald before disappearing around the corner.

Ariana let out a soft chuckle. "Well, that was dramatic."

Gerald turned to her, his expression still unreadable. "Are you alright?"

Ariana arched an eyebrow. "You think I needed saving?"

Gerald studied her for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I think you were waiting for him to do something foolish."

Ariana smirked. "Clever."

His lips quirked up slightly in response. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, watching his retreating figure.

Ariana crossed her arms, deep in thought.

Gerald was an interesting man.

And she wasn’t quite sure yet if that was a good thing.