Chapter 62: Chapter Sixty Two
Harriet was gone. But the scent of her presence lingered like expensive perfume clinging to the old walls of the McCallen family home. Arion stood in the middle of his father’s former study—now his—staring at the portrait of Richard McCallen hanging above the fireplace. The man's face was full of authority, but there was a smugness in his eyes. The same look Arion used to loathe… and now slowly began to see in himself.
“You won, Father. But on your own terms,” Arion murmured.
The study door creaked open. Hazel stepped in cautiously, carrying two cups of tea.
“I figured you needed this more than scotch at eleven in the morning,” she said, setting one of the cups on the desk.
Arion exhaled and nodded. “Thanks.”
Hazel sat in the leather chair across from him. For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Hazel asked quietly, “What will you do now that Harriet’s gone?”
Arion leaned back in his chair. “Fill the vacuum she left behind. But that’s not all.”
He looked straight at Hazel. “Do you know what she’s been doing all this time? Harriet has been collecting data, securing corporate assets, and bribing half the management in McCallen’s European subsidiaries. She wasn’t just playing a role—she was building a loyalist network. She’ll be back. Stronger.”
Hazel nodded slowly. “Are you afraid?”
“I’m cautious,” Arion replied. “She was ousted elegantly, but that woman knows how to turn exile into empire.”
“And you?” Hazel asked. “Will you fight her the same way?”
Arion gave a slight smile. “No. I’ll be crueler. But not alone.”
Hazel narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“The board wants stability. They support me—for now. But they never love anyone more than money and power. I need a figure they trust. Someone who can bridge them with the outside world. Public relations. Investors. I need an ally.”
Hazel took a breath. “You want me at your side?”
Arion nodded. “I want you to take a real role. Not as my secretary, but as the company’s chief public communications officer. You know this company’s rhythm. You know how to speak. And they trust you.”
Hazel looked surprised, but she didn’t step back. “You realize this will drag me into the front lines.”
“And if Harriet returns, she won’t just attack me. She’ll go after everyone close to me,” Arion said seriously.
Hazel studied him. “I’m not afraid. But I need to know, Arion… am I just a pawn in your plan?”
His gaze softened. He stood, walked over to her, and knelt at her side, gently taking her hands.
“No. You’re not a pawn. Without you... I can’t keep this empire together.”
Hazel gripped his hand. “Then we face this together.”
Later That Afternoon – Emergency Board Meeting
That evening, an emergency board meeting was called. The McCallen family’s senior executives sat around the large oval table, their expressions tight. News of Harriet’s reassignment to the European division had leaked to the media, and company shares had dropped two percent overnight.
Arion stood at the head of the table. Hazel sat among the guests, beside the head of PR.
“I know there’s unrest,” Arion began, his voice calm but authoritative. “But this move is not a sign of division—it’s a strategic restructuring that strengthens McCallen Hotels as a global network.”
Several directors looked unconvinced. One of them, an elderly man named Leonard Fischer, spoke up. “And what if Harriet builds her own power base in Europe?”
Arion gave a cold smile. “I respect her intelligence. But I won’t let this company fracture. I’ve secured all key strategic contracts and placed loyalists in critical positions.”
“And the media?” asked another director, a woman named Corinne Blake. “The public is already speculating about internal conflict.”
At that moment, Hazel rose gracefully and stepped forward.
“On behalf of the PR department, I will ensure the company narrative remains intact. We’ll hold a press conference in two days to clarify the restructuring, highlight our successful London expansion, and reinforce the new vision for the European division under Harriet McCallen.”
The room fell silent.
Then Arion added, “And additionally, I’m announcing the appointment of Hazel Thorn as our new Director of Strategic Communications. She will be the face of our company to the public.”
A few board members blinked in surprise. But Arion didn’t leave room for objection. The decision was already made.
That Night – Arion’s Apartment Balcony
Hazel looked out at the city skyline from Arion’s apartment balcony.
“You’ve just thrown me into a shark tank,” she said with a faint smile.
Arion stepped up behind her, placing a hand on her waist. “But I know you can swim.”
Hazel turned to face him. “Does this mean there’s no turning back?”
“From this world? No,” Arion said. “But from each other… I don’t want that to ever be an option.”
Hazel held his gaze. “Then we dance through fire together.”
Arion leaned down, kissing her forehead.
But as they walked back into the living room, Arion’s phone buzzed. The sharp ping cut through the quiet. He picked it up, reading a message from an unlisted contact.
“She’s not gone. Paris is only the beginning. Prepare for the storm. – S”
He froze.
Hazel watched his expression carefully. “Who is it?”
Arion looked up, his gaze turning cold again. “Stephen Caldwell.”
Hazel’s body stiffened. “You think he’s still working with Harriet?”
Arion turned toward the window, the city lights twinkling like unreachable stars.
“Not just working with her,” he said quietly. “They’re building something. And this… is only the beginning.”