Chapter 156
Aria's POV
I straightened my charcoal gray blazer as I looked up at the gleaming Harper Group headquarters across the street. The building had always seemed imposing, but today it felt different. Today, it was about to become mine—at least partly.
"You seem confident, Ms. Harper," Mr. Miller observed, stirring his espresso meticulously.
I turned my attention back to the man sitting across from me in the upscale coffee shop. Miller was the epitome of corporate precision in his tailored navy suit, not a hair out of place.
"Actually, you don't need to be here, Mr. Miller," I said, taking a sip of my latte. "I could handle this on my own."
Miller offered a measured smile. "Mr. Kane was very clear about his instructions. Since I was the one who signed the contract with your father, I should be present today." He glanced at his watch. "To ensure there are no... misunderstandings."
I nodded, appreciating Devon's thoroughness. "Fair enough."
Looking back at the Harper building, I felt a mix of anticipation and vindication curl through me. The weight of my mother's absence, my father's betrayal, and all the years of Scarlett being favored were about to be balanced—at least a little.
"It's almost time," I said, checking my watch. "Shall we?"
Miller nodded, leaving a generous tip as we exited the café.
---
The executive floor of Harper Group was exactly as I remembered it—all chrome, glass, and hushed efficiency. Employees looked up as I walked past, their curious glances following me. I recognized some faces from family events, saw the surprise in their eyes at my presence.
William Harper—my father—stood in the conference room doorway, his expression shifting from expectant to frozen when he saw me.
"Aria? What are you doing here?" His voice was clipped, controlled.
I smiled, enjoying the moment more than I probably should have. "I'm here for work, Father."
Before he could respond, the elevator doors opened behind us, and Mr. Miller stepped out, carrying a leather portfolio. My father's face tightened as recognition dawned.
"Mr. Harper," Miller greeted smoothly. "I believe you're expecting us. Or rather, you're expecting the new Vice President of Harper Group."
My father's face drained of color. "This is absurd. There must be some mistake."
"No mistake." Miller opened the portfolio, extracting a document. "As per the terms of the share transfer you signed last week, the new stakeholder has the right to appoint a Vice President with immediate effect. That appointment is Ms. Aria Harper."
I watched my father's expression transition from disbelief to fury to resignation in the span of seconds. He'd signed those papers, likely without reading the fine print, too desperate for the cash infusion Kane Technologies had provided.
"This is... irregular," my father managed, his voice strained.
"But entirely legal," Miller countered pleasantly. "Now, I believe you have a meeting scheduled to introduce the new VP to your executive team?"
The conference room fell silent as my father introduced me. Ten pairs of eyes studied me with varying degrees of surprise, skepticism, and curiosity.
"As some of you know, this is my daughter, Aria," my father said, each word clearly costing him. "Following our recent restructuring, she will be joining Harper Group as Vice President, effective immediately."
I stood, smoothing my skirt as I addressed the room. "Thank you, Mr. Harper. I'm pleased to join Harper Group officially." The formal address wasn't lost on anyone. "I look forward to working with each of you to strengthen our market position and develop new opportunities."
My gaze caught Diana Thornton's—the HR director and my mother's old friend. Her slight nod and barely perceptible smile told me I had at least one ally in the room.
The doors suddenly swung open, and Scarlett entered, moving gingerly but trying to hide her discomfort. Despite her careful makeup, I could see bruises on her face. Our eyes met briefly before she looked away, taking a seat near my father.
"Sorry I'm late," she announced with practiced sweetness. "Traffic was terrible." Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Miller with a smile. "You must be the new VP everyone's talking about."
A ripple of uncomfortable shifting moved through the room.
"Actually," I said, unable to keep a hint of satisfaction from my voice, "that would be me."
Scarlett froze, her mouth slightly open. The silence in the room was absolute.
"What?" she finally managed, turning to my father. "Dad, what is she talking about?"
My father cleared his throat. "Aria has been appointed Vice President as part of our new corporate structure."
Scarlett's face flushed with anger. She turned back to me, speechless.
"Don't worry," I said, my voice saccharine. "You'll get used to it eventually."
---
My new office was adjacent to my father's, separated by a glass wall with adjustable blinds. Currently, they were open, allowing me to observe him on the phone, gesturing angrily. I knew exactly who he was calling—likely legal counsel to find a loophole in the agreement.
Diana Thornton knocked lightly on my door, entering with a stack of files.
"These are the department reports you requested, Aria," she said, placing them on my desk. She lowered her voice. "It's good to see you here. Your mother would be proud."
The mention of my mother sent a familiar pang through me. "Thank you, Diana. How bad is it, really?"
Diana glanced toward my father's office. "Worse than the numbers show. Scarlett has been running the social media division for the past year. Budgets inflated, results negligible. And she's made quite a few enemies among the staff."
I nodded, unsurprised. "I've called a meeting with middle management at three. Will you make sure everyone attends?"
---
At three-fifteen, I surveyed the conference room. Two department heads were conspicuously absent, and Scarlett had just sauntered in, ten minutes late, not bothering to apologize.
I stood, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, I'm Aria Harper, and as of today, I'm your new Vice President."
I clicked to the first slide of my presentation. "These are our current performance metrics. As you can see, we have significant challenges ahead."
For the next thirty minutes, I outlined my assessment of each department. When I finished, I turned to face the room directly.
"Now, I notice Mr. White and Ms. Chen aren't here. Can anyone tell me why?"
Uncomfortable glances were exchanged. Finally, one brave soul spoke up. "I believe they were advised the meeting was optional."
"I see." I turned to Scarlett, who was examining her manicure with exaggerated interest. "And who might have given them that impression?"
Before she could answer, I continued, "Effective immediately, Mr. White and Ms. Chen are relieved of their positions. HR will process their severance this afternoon." I turned back to the group. "At Harper Group, when the VP calls a meeting, it's not optional."
Scarlett's eyes widened. "You can't just fire people on your first day!"
"Actually, I can." I smiled thinly. "Also effective immediately, Scarlett, your annual bonus is forfeit due to chronic tardiness and insubordination."
"That's ridiculous!" she sputtered. "Dad won't allow—"
"Dad doesn't oversee HR anymore," I interrupted. "I do. Along with Finance. That was specified in the restructuring agreement."
One of the departing managers tried a desperate move. "Harper manager, we only followed your instructions when you told us not to come."
All eyes turned to Scarlett, whose face had gone pale.
My father chose that moment to enter the room. "What's going on here? I heard shouting."
"Just clarifying the new chain of command," I replied calmly. "As stipulated in your agreement with Kane Technologies, I now directly oversee HR and Finance."
For a moment, my father looked like he might argue. Then resignation crossed his face. "That's correct," he conceded, the words clearly bitter on his tongue.
---
By six o'clock, the office was abuzz with whispers. I overheard fragments as I worked late in my new office.
"Just like her mother..."
"...showed Scarlett who's boss..."
"...wonder if it's true about the battle of the Harpers..."
Scarlett had left in a fury hours ago, nearly falling in her haste to exit, which had prompted barely concealed snickers from staff who'd suffered under her reign.
My phone vibrated with a text message: "Old place, 9PM." From Devon—or as he appeared in my contacts, "Sponsor." I couldn't help the small smile that touched my lips.
Minutes later, Ryan called, his voice excited. "She did it, Aria. Victoria transferred the five million to my guy this morning. She was terrified."
"Good," I replied, feeling a cold satisfaction. "Transfer it to my mother's charity foundation. Anonymous donation."
"Will do," Ryan agreed. "What's the next move against Victoria?"
I looked out at the city lights, considering the chess board of my life. "Let me think about that. She's weakened, but not beaten yet."
My phone lit up with Devon's call. I answered immediately, my voice shifting to a softer tone.
"Hello?"