Transmigrated: Stealing the CEO husband-Chapter 58: You are mine

"No," David replied. "Some things are better left unsaid. Ms. Grey should decide for herself whether or not it’s wise to tell him."

Ariana silently agreed.

Family conflicts were dangerous waters to tread. One misstep, and you could find yourself drowning.

Who knew when they might all turn against her?

’’’’

The next day, Ariana stood outside President Luiss’s office, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. She had requested a personal meeting with him, and now, standing before his heavy oak door, she felt the weight of the confrontation ahead.

This is for David, she reminded herself. He doesn’t deserve to suffer for something I did.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and knocked.

"Come in," Luiss’s voice called from inside.

Ariana stepped in, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Luiss sat at his sleek, modern desk, engrossed in paperwork. The room exuded authority, from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline to the dark mahogany bookshelves lined with business journals.

He glanced up as she entered. "Ms. Grey, what is it?"

Ariana hesitated for only a moment before speaking. "President Luiss, I wanted to ask a favor from you."

Luiss set his pen down and leaned back slightly in his chair. "A favor?" His tone was neutral, unreadable. "Go on."

"It’s about David..."

The moment she uttered his name, the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

Luiss’s jaw tightened. His eyes, previously calm, darkened with an emotion Ariana couldn’t quite place.

"Yes," he said, his voice crisp. "What about David?"

Ariana swallowed. Why does he look so... dangerous? She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

She gathered her courage, inhaling deeply before speaking in one breath, "What happened was my fault. I took the initiative. David had no part in it. Suspending him is unfair—especially when he has been such a pivotal part of the Groups and has always been loyal to the bone."

Luiss didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he rose from his chair with deliberate slowness and walked around the desk. Ariana instinctively tensed as he stopped in front of her, his towering presence overwhelming.

Before she could react, he reached out and grasped her chin gently, tilting her face upward so she was forced to look into his eyes.

Ariana’s breath hitched, but she refused to back down.

"Why are you so concerned about whether or not Mr. Steverson is reinstated?" His voice was low, edged with something unreadable—possessiveness, perhaps? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Ariana met his gaze head-on, refusing to waver. "Because he was suspended unjustly. I just can’t stand by and watch when someone is suffering for my mistake."

"Is that the only reason?" Luiss narrowed his eyes, searching her face as if trying to read something more beneath the surface.

"Yes," Ariana said firmly, her voice unwavering.

For a moment, the tension was suffocating. Then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed her, Luiss released her chin and took a step back.

"I understand your difficulty," he said, his voice composed once more. "But I have my own rules, Ms. Grey." He turned his back to her, walking toward the window and gazing out at the city skyline. "David touched something that belongs to me—whether intentionally or not. I cannot let him back in."

Ariana clenched her fists. Something that belongs to him? The arrogance in that statement made her want to stomp her foot in frustration.

"President Luiss!" she protested.

His expression remained indifferent as he turned to face her again. "That’s my final decision."

Ariana felt a rush of helplessness. Damn it. This isn’t working. She needed another approach.

Her heart pounded as she made a split-second decision. It’s time to use the reward.

In her mind, she clicked on [Alter Memory]. A strange sensation coursed through her, a pulse of energy that sent a shiver down her spine.

I’ve never used this before... I don’t even know what the side effects will be.

But there was no turning back now.

She locked eyes with Luiss, gathering all the confidence she could muster. "I didn’t kiss David," she said slowly, deliberately.

Luiss’s eyes flickered. "What?"

Ariana kept her voice steady. "When you entered the bedroom that night, you saw David and me standing close. But we didn’t kiss."

Luiss’s brow furrowed as if trying to recall the event. His posture tensed, but after a moment, his expression shifted slightly—uncertainty flickering in his sharp gaze.

He shook his head slowly. "You’re right... That’s what happened."

Ariana felt her pulse spike. It worked!

She pressed on. "So, David didn’t touch anything that belonged to President Luiss," she stated, watching him carefully.

Luiss’s lips parted slightly, then closed as he blinked a few times. It was as though his mind was processing the new reality she had fed him.

"Yes," he finally murmured, his voice softer now. "That’s it."

Ariana fought to maintain a calm expression. One more push...

"If David never crossed the line, then his suspension was based on a misunderstanding," she said. "Which means you can reinstate him. His supposed ’crime’ is forgivable."

Luiss remained silent for a long moment. Then, finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Yes," he admitted. "He didn’t touch you. If he had, I would have fired him immediately."

Ariana forced herself to remain still as she waited for his next words.

"Based on his merit, I can reinstate him," Luiss said at last.

Relief flooded Ariana’s chest. I did it.

She had successfully altered the course of events.

Luiss sat back down in his chair, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and something else she couldn’t quite place.

"You’re quite persistent, Ms. Grey," he remarked.

Ariana offered a small, victorious smile. "I simply believe in fairness, President Luiss."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming. "Is that so?"

Ariana’s stomach twisted slightly. There was something unsettling about the way he was looking at her now—like a puzzle he was determined to solve.

But she didn’t let her unease show. Instead, she nodded.

"Then it’s settled," Luiss said, shifting his focus back to his work. "David will be reinstated. You may leave now."

Ariana gave a polite nod before turning to exit the office.

As she reached the door, Luiss’s voice stopped her.

"Ms. Grey."

She turned slightly, glancing at him over her shoulder.

"I don’t forget things easily," he said, his tone almost casual. "Not even misunderstandings."

Ariana’s fingers curled slightly around the doorknob.

She forced a smile. "I’ll keep that in mind, President Luiss."

And with that, she walked out of the office, her heart pounding.