Chapter 93 Homecoming

Chapter 93 Homecoming
It was two days after the press conference.

"You have got two options." Aaron said. "Transfer the shares to me,... both of you." he added, looking at Emma in particular, "and you must sign the divorce papers."

All of the board members have gathered for the meeting. Crystal and Emma sat silently, whose future in the company was being decided by them.

"What if we don’t?" Emma asked through gritted teeth. 

"Then get ready to go to jail."

Aaron had gathered evidence of Crystal stealing money from the company with the finance manager. The finance manager was already fired. It turned out that Emma was also working with them. Aaron wasn't surprised, though. Now he wanted to get rid of all the traitors in his company, including Crystal and Emma. After Crystal and Emma were exposed, the board members decided to kick them out of the company.

Crystal looked at the documents in front of her. In just two days, her life had changed dramatically. She had lost all respect from the public. They openly insulted her. She and her mother had found it difficult to go out in public. They avoided public interactions. However, they had to attend the board meeting. Even the board members were staring at them with judgmental eyes. She had tried, but there was no way to save her fallen status. Xander had completely destroyed her image. But they didn't want to go to Jail. So reluctantly, they signed the documents. And just like that, the mother and daughter were reduced to nothingness.

They were immediately removed from their positions at the company. Aaron didn't wait long and kicked them out of the Miller Residence the same day. They did, however, have some money with them to help them settle in a new place. But it wasn't going to last forever, and they needed to look for work.

Aaron felt relieved after Emma and Crystal had left. His sister's son was temporarily appointed as the CEO of the Miller Group until a permanent solution could be found. 

...... 

Another two weeks had passed. Emma and Crystal had disappeared from their lives. As long as they remained in Zavion City, Xander continued to keep an eye on them. And they currently reside in Zavion City's most affordable neighborhood. Zidane had returned to Purple City. Mr. Wings and others received punishment for their crimes. 

Ariadne accused Zidane of being the mastermind. The court dismissed both of their claims and closed the case as Zidane didn't stretch it further after Crystal's downfall. Blake Corporation canceled their contract with the Watson Group, and The court granted them permission to restart the project.

A lot happened, and everything worked in their favor. At least for now. Xander's men continued to search for evidence against Zidane. However, their situation had improved for the time being.

The old mansion had been decorated, and everyone had gathered at the entrance. Xander's Rolls-Royce came to a stop in front of the mansion's entrance. It was the day Alex had been discharged from the hospital. Everyone was looking at the car with anticipation. Xander stepped out of the car and rounded it. He opened the door and took Alex into his arms. Ariadne cried with happiness. Marry and William both had tears in their eyes. Adrian and Autumn were thrilled. 

Xander walked over to Ariadne, who took Alex from him. Tiara and Jose stepped out of the front seats and followed Xander.

"I can walk, Mommy." Alex said after hugging his mother.

"Yes, my baby." Ariadne put him down.

Alex could now walk for a few minutes without any help. Now he would receive therapy at home. Ariadne, too, had recovered from her injuries. After a long period of time, there was peace.

Adrian and Autumn hugged him as soon as Ariadne placed him down. Everyone hugged him, one by one.

"Who's he?" Alex asked, staring at Aaron.

He had come to meet him as well. After Crystal and Emma left, his relationship with Ariadne improved even further. He invited her to stay at the Miller Residence with the kids. However, Ariadne chose to remain at the old mansion for William.

"He's your grandfather." Ariadne introduced them.

"Wow... I've a grandfather too." Alex exclaimed excitedly.

Aron approached and hugged the young boy. They walked inside while Ariadne held Alex's hand. The mansion was filled with joy. They all ate dinner together. After dinner, Aron left.

After the kids fell asleep, Ariadne went to see Xander in his room. He had a room in the mansion, but he rarely stayed there.

"Come in." Xander said as he heard a knock at his door. 

Ariadne entered the room. Xander was sitting on the sofa, working on his computer. He stood up as soon as he saw her.

"Aria? Please take a seat." he said, pointing to the couch. He was surprised to see her.

"It's ok." Ariadne replied.

She looked around the room. The room's interior was similar to his penthouse.

"I came here to say something." she said.

There was an uncomfortable tension between them.

"Yes?" he nodded.

"I've fully recovered, and Alex has also been discharged from the hospital... So I'm thinking about going back to work."

"But you no longer work for the Watson Group. If you want to return to Purple City, then forget it. It's not safe."

"No. Lily is there. She's doing an excellent job managing the business." 

Tiara paid a visit amid the chaos to ensure she wasn't having any problems. There was no longer a problem because everything had been resolved.

"The jewelry brand's building construction will begin the next month. You can complete the design."

Everything was ready. After the building was completed, they would launch the Autumn Collection in Zavion City. However, due to the chaos, the building's construction had been postponed.

Ariadne cleared her throat. "Um... Steele Group has recently launched their construction company... Mark has asked me to take over as CEO."

When Xander heard that, he froze.

"And what did you tell him?" he asked.

"I don't have much to do now because Lily and Mama Mary handled the majority of the work. So I'm considering accepting his proposal."

"If you want, you can join their company. They're not bad." he admitted reluctantly.

"Okay. I just wanted to inform you, as you requested." Ariadne said.

Xander had told them all that given the current situation, everyone would report everything to him. Zidane was out there, and he didn't want to take any risks.

"Thank you for informing me."

"Okay. I should leave now. Good night." Ariadne said.

"Good night." he replied.

Ariadne nodded and left the room. Xander stood still, staring at the door with a hard expression. He sighed and sat on the couch, then leaned into it and closed his eyes. He didn't want Ariadne near Mark, but he didn't stop her.

They had reached an understanding. They interacted normally in front of others. Some might assume there was no tension between them. But deep down, this wasn't the case. Ariadne hadn't forgotten Xander's confession. She knew he wanted her. She avoided the subject and interacted with him like a friend. She was doing this for her children. Xander, on the other hand, didn't mention his feelings again. He had received her response. So he didn't want to make her uncomfortable by bringing up that subject or pursue her for giving him another chance. To be honest, he didn't know how to do it. He simply performed his duty with no expectations.

..... 

In Purple City...

"What now?" Gloria asked. 

Zidane had brought Gloria with her when he returned to Purple City. She left her daughter with her mother while visiting Zavion City. She was staying with him in his penthouse for the night. She would pay her daughter a visit the next day. She spent the majority of her time away from her daughter because of her work. Her mother was the one who raised her. Her daughter didn't miss her much either.

"We will wait for now. Ariadne ruined the hospital project plan. We need to think about something else now." Zidane spoke, releasing smoke from his mouth while holding a cigarette in one hand.

He gazed out through the glass wall, his other hand in his pockets.

"Do we have to do something?" 

Zidane frowned at the question.

Gloria cleared her throat. "I mean, you're the king of Purple City. You have everything. Can't you forget about Xander Blake?" she asked hesitantly.

She couldn't understand Zidane's obsession with destroying Xander. She considered it a risky task because Xander was as powerful as Zidane. Furthermore, he had no shady business like Zidane. If anything went wrong, Zidane would be the one to take the fatal blow.

"Shut your mouth." Zidane clenched his jaw while looking at her.

"Okay. I'm just saying." 

She approached Zidane and put her hands on his shoulder.

"I'll always be there for you and support you in whatever you do."

"Good girl." he smirked.

"I want you to meet Oindrila." she said after a while.

"No. It's not the appropriate time."

"But she deserves to get to know you. You're her father." Gloria stated.

She had been pursuing him to meet their daughter for some time now. But Zidane always refused, making excuses. He had never met their daughter after she was born. He stated that it was to protect their secret from the rest of the world. He couldn't marry Gloria or accept his daughter right now. He first wanted to accomplish his goal. 

However, Gloria began to feel insecure. She began to question Zidane's intentions after learning of his cheatings. He had started sleeping with other girls for business reasons. She didn't like it, but she knew Zidane would always prioritize his goals over their relationship.

"She can wait. She's only a child. We have bigger problems now. I'll introduce her to the world as my daughter at the right time." he added when he saw her sad face. 

Gloria smiled and kissed him on the lips. Zidane held her in his arms, deepening their kiss.