Sweet Love 2x: Miss Ruthless CEO for our Superstar Uncle-Chapter 52: In Plain Sight

Morning light filtered in through the half-drawn curtains of her study. The six-week break Franz had finally ended. However, it was more than enough for him and Arianne to stabilize their new routines and living arrangements.

Arianne had expected this day would come, and that their schedules would be constantly changing. Looking at the shared calendar on her phone, she was greeted by color-coded time blocks, each indicating their commitments and schedules, whether it was work-related or personal.

The colors had settled into a pattern she recognized. The twins’ school hours remained fixed; their checkups and therapies appeared in shorter, neutral blocks.

Arianne scrolled once, noting where buffers had been added and where they were missing. Some gaps were intentional, while others were simply left vacant.

The calendar did not explain itself. It only showed what had already been agreed upon and reflected decisions that no longer required deliberation.

Arianne locked the screen and set the phone face down on the desk. There was no need to adjust anything yet.

It took Gio and Monica two weeks before they finally synced Arianne and Franz’s schedules into one calendar.

A knock on her study door distracted Arianne from the documents she was reviewing.

The door pushed open, revealing Lily with Leo standing behind her.

"Auntie, the show is about to start."

Arianne nodded before placing the document into her drawer and locking it once.

"I’ll be there in a minute," she replied.

The twins rushed down the stairs while Arianne closed her study door behind her before following them. Their footsteps thudded down the stairs, quick and light.

By the time she reached the sitting room, the commercials were already playing.

Arianne sat on the couch while the twins played on the floor, their toys scattered around them. The television occupied the far wall, its light washing over the room.

The sitting room had been arranged for convenience rather than comfort. A low table sat between the couch and the rug, its surface cleared earlier that morning.

The twins’ toys had spread outward in loose clusters, abandoned halfway through whatever game they had been playing.

The volume remained low. Loud enough to follow, quiet enough to ignore if needed.

No one suggested turning it up.

Arianne pulled out her phone and saw several notifications for emails and messages. She ignored the ones regarding work meetings and schedules; instead, she opened her messaging app. Gilbert had left a message confirming their scheduled workout for the following weekend. He then asked if Franz had fully recovered from his shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, Samantha updated her on her audition progress and workshops.

"Tell Franz good luck on his first day at work for me~" Samantha said.

Franz was only scheduled to be a guest on a morning show. For this reason, Arianne had shifted her schedule and stayed with the twins, as agreed.

Her work as the Rochefort Group’s Interim CEO allowed her to bring non-confidential files and reports home.

Arianne had never been a fan of television or film, nor did she follow trends. Whenever she had free time, she spent it either working out at the gym or reading. The amount of media she consumed over the years was limited. Most of it had been forgotten.

The morning show’s opening music played, followed by its logo.

The twins dropped their toys and sat before the television.

Two hosts greeted their audience cheerfully, speaking in a friendly tone.

"Where’s Uncle Franz?" Lily asked impatiently.

"They should be introducing him soon," Arianne replied.

Arianne watched as Franz stepped onto the stage. He faced the audience and gave a practiced smile before joining the hosts.

Greetings were exchanged, and Franz let out a controlled laugh when one of the hosts teased him.

The hosts finished their opening exchange and gestured toward him. Franz acknowledged them with a slight nod before taking his seat.

A short caption appeared at the bottom of the screen, introducing him as a returning guest. The wording emphasized recovery, patience, and timing. Nothing about permanence. Nothing about what came next.

Arianne noticed that the twins had stopped playing entirely.

They sat close next to each other, their eyes fixed on the screen.

The hosts asked their first question. Franz answered evenly, his posture measured, his tone neutral. He expressed his eagerness to return to work and how he’d miss acting.

Arianne noted that his injured shoulder remained still and that he limited his movements.

The hosts guided the conversation carefully, never lingering too long.

The questions followed a predictable arc. Recovery first. Routine next. A brief nod to what had changed, followed by reassurance that nothing else had.

Franz answered within those boundaries. His responses were concise and professional. When the hosts tried to press him further with questions, he redirected the conversation to neutral ground with ease.

This was something not a seasonal actor could do. Years of working in the entertainment industry allowed Franz to steer the discussion in his favor.

He didn’t need to try to convince them; instead, he led them where they wanted to be.

The camera cut between angles with practiced efficiency. Close enough to read the expression. Far enough to avoid scrutiny.

Arianne knew these were intentional. She watched the pacing of the interview. How long did the hosts let him speak. Where he was interrupted. How quickly the conversation moved away from the injury and into safer territory.

"This is live," Lily said quietly.

"Yes," Arianne replied.

The acknowledgment was enough. No explanation followed.

On screen, Franz smiled briefly at something one of the hosts said. It was practiced; his answer was controlled.

The twins didn’t comment.

Arianne shifted her position slightly, angling herself so she could see both the television and the hallway beyond the sitting room.

The house remained still. Too still.

When the segment cut to a short commercial break, the twins waited.

They didn’t ask if it was over.

They didn’t move back to their toys.

The morning show resumed. This time, the hosts focused on entertaining the audience, drawing attention away from Franz. Franz played a game in which he guessed what was inside the boxes by touch.

Arianne didn’t reach for the remote.

She remained seated, hands folded loosely, eyes forward. The broadcast continued, uninterrupted.

This would not be the last time.