Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen
Hermione

"Successor, hm?" I ask Aiden once I have settled in after returning from work.
The news of the Chairman declaring Aiden his successor has been going viral all day. Aiden does not appear pleased; I suspect the information was leaked, or perhaps he is preoccupied with thoughts of Lachlan.
Aiden did not spend his days sequestered, grieving his mother’s loss after the funeral. He allowed himself only two days before resuming his duties. It was a prudent decision; remaining at home would only invite further depression. At work, his mind is occupied by essential matters rather than a loss that cannot be reclaimed.
"When was this discussed?" I inquire.
"I was apprised of Dad's decision the day my mother died."
"Oh." I can see why he isn't particularly flattered by the appointment. The news reached him at the worst possible moment; any element of surprise or elation was eclipsed by his state of mourning.
"Congratulations!" I beam at him.
He responds with a noncommittal grunt.
"Are you worried?"
"About what?"
"Lachlan." He certainly won't be pleased with this development.
"Dad says the inheritance isn't a matter of entitlement. If he wanted it, he should have proven himself worthy," Aiden hisses, his expression darkening into a scowl.
"You don't sound particularly happy about it," I observe.
"Being Dad's heir is no cause for rejoicing. I have effectively been made a target, and I must now shoulder far more responsibility. I wanted no part of this; that is why I have been cultivating my own investments."
I wrinkle my nose. His logic is sound.
"You have been declared the heir now; there is no turning back. I am certain you will prevail. Ensure you have maximum protection at all times. You are not to leave home without at least ten bodyguards encircling you wherever you go."
Aiden grimaces at my demand.
I know it is an exaggeration, but I maintain a stoic expression. "We must do what is necessary. I have no intention of becoming a widow at such an early age."
"I doubt Lachlan will cross that line," Aiden states, though his voice lacks conviction.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," I remind him. If Lachlan's mother, Beatrice, could mortally injure his mother for being her husband's mistress, I doubt murder is beyond Lachlan’s limits. That trait is inherent in their blood. Furthermore, I have observed the animosity between the brothers. There is no love lost between them; Lachlan would not hesitate to eliminate Aiden to achieve his goals.
"I will remain vigilant."
"Please."
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I anticipated someone would attempt a stunt like this. Days before Aiden’s formal inauguration as successor, reports of a scandal have been disseminated by the media. These reports not only question his qualifications but also discredit the legitimacy of our marriage.
Aiden seethes beside me as Kash drives us to the venue where we have agreed to host an exclusive interview to clear the air. I bite my tongue, knowing this is partly my fault. Had I not claimed in a pre-wedding interview that we had been together for two years, there would be no basis for the public to brand Aiden a reproachable man.
I suppress a snort. The public is lambasting Aiden, accusing him of "two-timing" his romantic partners before settling for me simply because I was the more affluent choice.
As if most of them aren't hypocrites themselves. Because he is a public figure, they expect him to live like a deity—flawless and beyond reproach. They doubt the sincerity of his affection, claiming he is merely exploiting me for the benefits our arrangement provides. If only they knew who truly benefits from this union.
I lace my fingers with Aiden’s. He has been uncharacteristically quiet since the scandal erupted. There is no doubt now with whom Annabelle has been colluding. Who stands to gain the most from tarnishing Aiden’s reputation just days before his inauguration? To protect the company’s profit margins, the board would likely revoke their unilateral agreement. It is a choice between him and the thousands of people who depend on the MD Group for their livelihood.
Aiden squeezes my hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Are you nervous?" he asks, scanning my expression. "I am sorry for dragging you into this."
"Your unstable ex tried to kill me, and now she is attempting to sabotage your career. Moreover, had I not thoughtlessly lied during that initial interview..."
"You did nothing wrong," Aiden interjects softly. "Your fabrication was for the sake of credibility. Just adhere to our narrative, and we will prevail."
"Selective truth," I say, smiling as I recall when he first outlined our strategy. He is truly ingenious.
"We do not lie. Power couples do not," he says, lifting our joined hands to brush a kiss against my knuckles. "We are indifferent to their opinions. What matters is our commitment to one another. But for the sake of formality..."
"Of course," I agree. "Let’s give the public the narrative they crave."
"I will deal with Annabelle once this is concluded," he promises.
I lift an eyebrow in exaggerated surprise. "You intend to wait? Throw her behind bars immediately. Attempted homicide, defamation, and impersonation—she is a wrecking ball."
"That she is. And I shall promptly act as your justice dictates," Aiden says, offering a mock bow.
I cannot help but laugh as the car pulls to a halt. Kash announces our arrival, and Aiden assists me out of the vehicle. We walk hand-in-hand into the building. This time, I am mentally prepared for the barrage of the press. The camera flashes remain dizzying, but I have heeded Aiden’s previous warning not to confront the media on an empty stomach.
Our host ushers us in. "Three, two, one... and we are live," the director calls from backstage as the cameras focus on us. Aiden and I share a seat, hands linked, across from the television host.
Becca, the host, delivers her introduction and begins the interrogation. Since I initiated the lie our antagonist is using to dismantle Aiden’s reputation, I weave the narrative more carefully this time.
"You claimed the two of you have been dating for two years," Becca begins. "Does that imply Aiden was unfaithful? Technically, the rumors suggest he was two-timing his partners."
"I would not characterize it as two-timing," I correct her. "It is true we met at a bar two years ago. There was immediate chemistry, but our relationship was a complex push-and-pull."
"I had to earn her affection," Aiden adds smoothly. "My past self was not yet worthy of her."
I glare at him. "You were an unprincipled man, partying without any regard for the future. I could not be with someone like you. My family would never have accepted you, even if I were foolishly in love enough to pursue a relationship."
"But here we are, aren't we? The discarded stone is now the apple of your eye," he grins, a mischievous glint in his gaze.
"That is because the worthless stone refined itself and became worthy of approval," I retort.
"Ouch, darling. Did you just call me worthless?" Aiden clutches his chest, feigning a look of agony.
"Weren't we discussing stones?" I return, my eyes fixed on him.
Becca clears her throat to draw our attention back to the broadcast. "Let us not get carried away. That was... charming, I must say. However, the public needs clarity, Aiden. Hermione claims you have been together for two years."
"An on-and-off relationship," I clarify. "We were attracted to each other and struggled to suppress the chemistry, but we were worlds apart. There was a constant tension—a push and pull between us." I gesture with my fingers.
"So, you did not clearly define your relationship during those two years?" Becca asks.
"It feels natural to say we have been together for two years, but it has been..."
"Intermittent," Becca finishes.
"Exactly," I say.
"So, we are to assume that during those two years of sporadic dating, Aiden pursued other relationships—earning a reputation as a heartbreaker—because he was still fixated on you?" Becca analyzes.
I nod in confirmation, pressing my lips together. "Precisely."
"I see. There is much more clarity now."
"Let me summarize," I say, glancing at Aiden. "Aiden and I met two years ago. We dated inconsistently because of our explosive chemistry. However, a permanent relationship could not function then because we were parallel lines. I had a thriving career and an established future, while he was merely the son of a wealthy patriarch. I wanted him to assert himself—to carve out a legacy if he wanted me to be a part of his life."
He takes over, inhaling sharply. "At that time, she was formidable. Her standards were exceptionally high. I was young and impulsive, thinking there were plenty of women who would queue up to date me. I ended things and, to prove a point, began dating others. But there was a void. None of them compared to Hermione. I could not stop thinking about her. After my last relationship, I reached my limit. No more distractions. I knew there was only one woman I wanted, and if I intended to fill that gaping void, I had to win her back." He twitches his nose. "The results speak for themselves. I chose correctly. I almost lost a singular partner through my own foolishness. Her standards were for my benefit. After all, I have made a name for myself today and I am still ascending. I am not just Aiden Mendes because I am a member of the family; I am Aiden Mendes because I am an achiever in my own right."
"Beautifully spoken, Aiden. Hermione, it is always a profound pleasure to have you on the program. Now, to our viewers," she says, facing the camera. "I believe we have resolved the misunderstanding surrounding Aiden and Hermione’s relationship and the malicious claims made online. Do not entertain slander or libel. You have heard the truth from the couple themselves, and that truth should settle the matter. That will be all for today. Until next time... I am still your host, Becca."