26. Valen

CHAPTER 26

VALEN

I read the headline again, the words burning into my mind like acid: "Axiom Mining Hires Kevin Jordan as New Marketing Specialist; Accuses Valen Industries of Misappropriating Resources." I lean back in my chair, my gaze narrowing at the holo-screen. Kevin’s smug face accompanies the article, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Ariana enters the study, her footsteps light and hesitant. She pauses when she sees my expression. “Valen, what’s wrong?”

I turn the screen toward her. “This,” I say, my voice tight with controlled fury.

She reads quickly, her brow furrowing. “Kevin? He’s working for your rivals now?”

“Not just working for them,” I reply, standing up and pacing the room. “He’s trashing me in the press. Accusing me of using business resources for personal use.”

Ariana’s eyes widen. “He means...”

“Yes,” I cut in, stopping to face her. “He’s talking about when I reassigned security personnel to protect you.”

Her hand flies to her mouth, a mixture of shock and guilt in her eyes. “Valen, I’m so sorry?—”

“Don’t,” I interrupt, stepping closer to her. “Don’t apologize for something that isn’t your fault.”

“But it’s true,” she whispers. “He’s not lying.”

My jaw clenches, teeth grinding. “It doesn’t matter if it’s true. What matters is how we respond.”

She looks up at me, her chocolate eyes filled with concern. “What are you going to do?”

“I need to think,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “This is a calculated move to destabilize us.”

Ariana places a hand on my arm, her touch grounding me. “We’ll figure this out together.”

Her words bring a semblance of calm to my stormy thoughts. I nod slowly. “First, we need to control the narrative. If we can’t deny it outright, we need to spin it in our favor.”

“How?” she asks.

“By highlighting our security measures as necessary precautions given recent threats,” I explain, my mind racing with possibilities.

Ariana nods thoughtfully. “And what about Kevin? He won’t stop here.”

“No,” I agree grimly. “He won’t.” My eyes meet hers, and for a moment, everything else fades away. Her presence is a reminder of why I’m fighting this battle.

“We need allies,” she says softly.

“Yes,” I murmur, pulling her closer. “And we’ll find them.”

Her arms wrap around me in a comforting embrace, and for a moment, the world outside this room doesn’t matter. We stand there in silence, drawing strength from each other.

“I trust you,” she whispers against my chest.

“And I won’t let anyone harm you,” I vow.

Soon enough, I find myself standing at the head of the long, polished table, my arms folded across my chest. The room is filled with the most influential suppliers, investors, and business allies of Valen Industries. Each of their faces displays a mixture of curiosity and concern. Ariana stands beside me, her presence a quiet strength.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," I begin, my voice steady. "There have been some troubling accusations against me and my company recently."

Murmurs ripple through the room, but I raise a hand to silence them. "I want to address these accusations head-on." I nod to my aide, who activates the holo-projector. The room dims as the screen flickers to life.

The footage begins with a shot of Ariana at the market. Kevin's sneering face appears next, his hand gripping her arm tightly. His words are inaudible, but his aggression is unmistakable.

Next is footage of the day he came to my estate, and threatened Ariana. This one is less grainy, more focused. His demeanor is unmistakable.

Ariana’s fingers tighten around mine as the video plays. I squeeze back, a silent promise of protection.

"As you can see," I continue once the footage ends, "Kevin Jordan has been harassing Ariana, who is not just an employee but a trusted member of Valen Industries."

One of the investors leans forward. "So you used company resources to protect her?"

I meet his gaze squarely. "Yes," I reply without hesitation. "Given the threats she faced, it was necessary to ensure her safety."

"But isn't that a misuse of business resources?" another supplier challenges.

I narrow my eyes slightly. "Protecting our people is never a misuse of resources. Ariana’s wellbeing directly impacts our operations."

The room falls silent as they absorb my words. Ariana steps forward slightly, her voice calm yet firm. “I’ve worked closely with Valen for months now. His decision to protect me was not just personal but professional.”

An ally at the end of the table speaks up. “Valen’s right. A safe work environment is crucial for productivity.”

I nod in agreement. “Exactly. And let’s not forget,” I say, gesturing towards the holo-screen again, “Kevin’s actions were not just unprofessional; they were criminal.”

Another murmur spreads through the room as they reconsider their stance.

One of the older investors clears his throat. “Valen’s always been thorough in protecting his interests—and his people.” He gives me a nod of approval.

I feel Ariana relax beside me, and I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“We need to stand united,” I say firmly, looking each person in the eye. “These attacks won’t stop here unless we show strength and solidarity.”

Heads nod around the table.

Ariana adds softly but confidently, “Together, we can overcome this challenge.”

I glance at her with admiration before turning back to our audience. “Let’s move forward as one.”

Ariana and I stand close, the warmth of her presence soothing the remnants of tension from the meeting. The success of our plan glows in her eyes, a reflection of the confidence she now feels.

"We did it," she says softly, a smile tugging at her lips. "They believed us."

"Of course they did," I reply, a hint of pride in my voice. "Truth has a way of shining through."

Tragan approaches, his face a mask of professionalism but with a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Sir, the counter hit piece has gone live.”

I nod, feeling a surge of satisfaction. "Good."

Ariana tilts her head, curiosity evident. "What’s it about?"

I can’t help but grin. “I had my own marketing specialist dig into how Axiom Mining's been using some shady methods to secure protected land.”

Her eyes widen. “Protected land?”

“Yes,” I confirm. “And their mining operations there will threaten an endangered bird species.”

Her mouth falls open slightly. “So you trashed Kevin and his employer in one day.”

“Thoroughly,” I say with a satisfied smirk.

She frowns, concern creasing her brow. “But won’t this just make things worse? Kevin won’t take this lying down.”

I reach out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I have a plan for that too.”

She looks up at me, doubt mixed with hope in her eyes. “What kind of plan?”

“One that will end this feud for good,” I say confidently.

Ariana’s worry doesn’t entirely dissipate, but she nods slowly. “Just... be careful.”

“I always am,” I assure her.

Tragan checks his data pad, his expression neutral but eyes flicking to me with urgency. "Sir, you have a call coming through."

I glance at the chrono on the wall. "Right on schedule," I mutter. I turn to Ariana, giving her a reassuring nod. "I need to take this alone."

She hesitates but then nods, her trust in me evident despite the unease in her eyes. "I'll be here," she says softly before leaving the room.

I stride to my desk, tapping the console to accept the call. The holo-projector hums to life, and the head of Axiom Mining appears before me, his face twisted with anger.

"You've got some nerve," he snarls, his voice dripping with contempt.

I lean back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? Your reputation is ruined on Armstrong."

His eyes narrow dangerously. "You think you can just destroy everything I've built?"

"Everything?" I scoff. "You've got nothing left here but a smoldering wreckage of your own making. If we keep fighting, it'll only get worse for you."

He glares at me, his jaw clenched tight. "So what's your grand solution then?"

I smile coldly, leaning forward. "You relocate. Leave Armstrong and establish your business on another planet."

"And why would I do that?" he demands, his voice rising.

"Because I'll help you get it off the ground," I reply evenly. "Use my resources to ensure a smooth transition and successful launch elsewhere."

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, suspicion clouding his eyes. "Why would you help me after all this?"

"Simple," I say, maintaining my calm demeanor. "I want peace on Armstrong. Your presence here is a constant threat to that."

He studies me closely, weighing his options. The allure of using my money is palpable in his greedy gaze. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” I assure him. “Just leave Armstrong and don’t come back.”

His lips curl into a sneer but there’s a hint of intrigue beneath the hostility. “And if I agree?”

“Then you’ll find your new operations funded and supported,” I reply smoothly.

He mulls it over for a moment longer before finally nodding. “Fine,” he grits out. “But if you cross me?—”

“You’ll regret it,” I finish for him, my tone icy.

The call ends abruptly as he disconnects, leaving me staring at the blank holo-screen.

Ariana peeks her head around the doorframe, her curiosity evident. “How did it go?”

I stand and walk over to her, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “He agreed to leave here. No more warring businesses, no more Kevin.”

She breathes out a sigh of relief and steps closer, her warmth a balm to my weary soul.

“You’ve secured our safety,” she says softly.

“Yes,” I reply, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. “And yours most of all.”