Aria studied every public appearance, every interview, every business decision that had been reported in the financial press, delving further into Adrian Blackwood's business trends throughout the rest of the morning. The image that surfaced was of a man who had turned moral business practices from a constraint into a competitive advantage.
His businesses routinely outperformed rivals by means of exceptional efficiency, employee loyalty, and client confidence rather than by dubious strategies. He had created an empire functioning exactly opposite from what Marcus stood for.
Perfect, she thought. 'If someone would be interested in exposing a fraud like Marcus, it would be someone who has spent their career demonstrating that honest business really performs better.'
But getting to Adrian Blackwood presented special difficulties. She couldn't just ask to meet his office; that would bring issues she wasn't ready to address under question. Marcus would surely find out about any direct contact, and her cover would be exposed before she could do anything significant.
She needed a good reason to be in the same location as Adrian, ideally somewhere where natural communication would take place freely.
Two hours of investigating business events and networking prospects turned out to be Aria's solution: "The annual Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility luncheon" set for Thursday. One of the keynote speakers was Adrian Blackwood, and the event was open to city business leaders all around.
More importantly, the guest list included several women from well-known business families—exactly the type Aria could reasonably join without drawing attention.
She now only had to write her cover story.
The strategy must be precisely balanced. She needed to seem smart enough to be taken seriously. She had to avoid any hint suggesting she was looking into her own husband, yet she had to seem really eager in learning about moral business practices.
Aria had developed a whole plan by the time she got home. Learning about the business empire her father had left behind, she would present herself as a bereaved daughter at last ready to honor his legacy. Her attendance at the luncheon would be seen as the first step in her education about corporate responsibility—a logical development for someone who had earlier concentrated on charitable work.
Studying industry trends, financial reports, and business terminology consumed the rest of the afternoon. She had to show at least basic business knowledge if she were going to persuade Adrian Blackwood she was worth his time.
When Marcus arrived home that evening, Aria was all set to begin the next stage of her scheme.
She kissed him briefly, like tasting poison. "How was your day, sweetheart?"
Marcus said, "Productive," untying his tie. "Even though I'm tired. These worldwide deals call for much more coordination."
"I can picture it. Actually, I wanted to bring up something with you." Aria curled up on the sofa next to him and started to sound like someone looking for approval.
Marcus sat up right away. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, after looking at some business networking events, I came upon this luncheon on corporate responsibility that would be ideal for someone just beginning their business career. I considered it could be a decent approach to start comprehending the world Daddy ran in."
Marcus's demeanor was patronizingly approving. "That's a fantastic concept, Aria. It's time you began showing interest in constructive activities instead of just moping about the past."
'Yes, the productive activity of learning how to destroy you systematically.' Aria thought.
"The speaker list looks very educational," she went on. "Several corporate leaders are debating ethical behavior and corporate governance. I felt it would be a good basis for knowing how respectable companies run."
"Yes. Who's speaking?"
Aria carefully mentioned Adrian's name among the others, consulting the program she had printed. "Let's see Margaret Williams from the Chamber of Commerce, David Smith from Pacific Investments, Adrian Blackwood from Blackwood Industries..."
Marcus answered fast and softly, a little tightness around his eyes, almost obvious straightening of his posture. "Be wary of Blackwood should you run into him."
'Unlike you, who's exactly as dishonorable as you seem?' Aria thought.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I would not even talk to him," she said. "I will simply be listening and learning. Generally, the whole thing is probably far over my head anyway."
Her self-deprecating comment helped Marcus relax. "I doubt it, sweetheart. You are more competent than you would credit yourself for."
"That's exactly why I wish to learn from speakers stressing ethics and responsibility. I should learn the correct approach to do things if I am going to start grasping business."
Marcus agreed, "Very wise," drawing her nearer. "I'm glad you moved in this direction. Seeing you at last interacting with his legacy would make your father happy."
The rest of the evening they talked about Aria's "business education plans," Marcus giving patronizing guidance on professional growth and networking. Aria meticulously gathered information about his forthcoming schedule throughout the conversation so she would be free to attend the luncheon unhindered.
"I might have to travel next week," Marcus said as they got ready for bed. "There's a possible acquisition in Seattle that calls for personal attention."
"How long are you likely to be away?"
"Most likely three or four days. Will you be good by yourself?"
"Of course, maybe I'll use the time to investigate business fundamentals further. Really get ready for increasing involvement."
Later in the evening, Aria heard Marcus's phone ring while still going over her luncheon plan.
Examining the caller ID, he headed to the balcony right away and closed the door behind him for privacy.
She could see him across the glass. She missed much of the discussion, but parts flew through the half-open door when he spoke up.
"...the Blackwood problem requires immediate handling..."
Aria's blood grew chilly. She approached the door, straining to hear more.
"before he links our activities to the Chen assets..."
Chen's assets? Her pulse surged.
"...I'm not bothered about what it takes. Should he keep looking, everything we have created could fall apart..."
Marcus actively planned something against Adrian Blackwood to stop his inquiry from revealing his crimes.
Marcus's voice dropped lower, and she could no longer make out particular words, but his tone suggested whatever they were planning would happen soon.
His expression was precisely neutral when he at last cut off the call and came back inside, but Aria could sense the strain in his motions.
She asked, clearly worried, "Everything alright?"
Marcus said, "Just business," but his smile seemed forced. "Nothing for you to concern yourself about."
Aria's mind ran with the ramifications of what she had heard as she curled into bed. Her strategy to approach Adrian at the company luncheon had just gotten much more risk-bearing.
But it might also be her only opportunity to alert him before Marcus's "solution" to the Blackwood dilemma is carried out.