Chapter 51: Counter the Sabotage
Ariana was leaning over her desk, heavy burdens of day's activities resting on her shoulders. The boardroom conflict had played at a higher level than expected. The nervous reaction of Greene had revealed his guilt and now the board members were suspicious about him. However, Ariana understood that all of that was just the beginning. The real test was yet to be done and she had to be prepared for anything Rachel and her allies were going to throw at her.
Her mind went back to the knowledge she had back in her past life, knowledge that now was her biggest weapon. In her previous life, she had observed everything that Rachel did, how she manipulated people, how she twisted situations to suit her. Ariana had been there and seen it all: the low key threats, the undercover bribes, the back room shakedowns. She had failed to prevent Rachel from doing something last time, but this time round, this would be different. She would never make herself a pawn again.
With a deep breath, Ariana bent forward; her fingertips touched the papers on her desk. She had already made some headway in collecting evidence against Greene, though she knew Rachel was not going to be that much of a pushover. Rachel would only work harder if anything. Ariana had to outflank her by think through it carefully, as she had in her previous life.
Ariana got up and walked to the window and observed the city skyline down below. The Camelo Corporation was not just a company but also power, control, and legacy of her father. Ariana had inherited everything and it was evident that all was not good with it. Antony's supporters such as Greene were bent on destroying her leadership while Rachel with her never ending desire would not go to bed until she stole everything that mattered to Ariana.
However, Ariana was not the same person anymore as she used to be. In this life, she would be more intelligent. She would play the game differently, she would use every advantage she had especially the information on how things were done from her past life. She had previously made mistakes, but now, she had an opportunity to rewrite the story.
As her head went through options, Ariana remembered how Rachel had functioned earlier. In her previous life, she discovered that Rachel's strongest point was her ability to manipulate the information. Rachel was an expert in the art of making up bogus narratives and manipulating facts to her advantage. It was one of the reasons why Ariana failed before, she had underestimated Rachel's power of controlling public perception.
However, this time, Ariana would not allow her ex-husband to do that. This was a step that she had already taken by daring to confront Greene in the fold of the boardroom. Now, she had to keep the pressure. She could not allow Rachel to dictate what the narrative was. Ariana needed to take control of the situation before Rachel could turn it around to her advantage.
And her thoughts turned to her proposal that one which had made such a fuss in the boardroom. The plan to modernize the company's operation was a daring and a revolutionary move, nonetheless, it was a risky venture. It was the sort of move that would place people on one side or the other. It was apparent that some of the members of the board, especially those in Antony's corner, would attempt to sabotage it. However, Ariana had learned her previous mistakes. This time, she was not going to let petty politics damn the proposal.
A strategy started building in her mind one that would use her previous knowledge in order to take the tables against Rachel and her supporters.
There was a buzz on Ariana's phone, distracting her. She took it up and saw the name of Lincoln on the screen. She answered quickly.
"Ariana, I have got some updates," Lincoln's voice crackled through the phone. "I have succeeded to delve a bit into greater detail of Greene's finances". It's not decided so far but there are some doubtful transactions. I believe Rachel has been able to run some money through some offshore accounts in order to bribe him.
Ariana's heart skipped a beat. This provided the break that she wanted. "That's good news, Lincoln. Keep digging. I want to know everything. I have to be in a position to expose Rachel's scheme in full.
"I'll keep working on it. But, Ariana" Lincoln hesitated, "there's another thing, you got to know. Some of the board members begin to become nervous. If Greene's not backing off, they may try to change the subject back to your proposal find some other way to derail it".
Ariana thought for a moment. This was what she had expected and exactly. Even the board members were already getting signs of doubt. She could not afford to wait any more. She had to act quickly.
"Thank you, Lincoln;" she said, her voice firm. "Keep me updated. I'll handle the rest."
As she hung up, the ideas were already spinning up in Ariana's mind. She really needed to ascertain that her proposal was strong, no-one could challenge its validity. She had to ensure that the manipulation of Rachel could not gain roots in the company.
And then it struck her a thing from the past life, something she almost forgot. The biggest weakness of Rachel was the need to control and hide the secrets. But Ariana had learned how to rip those secrets out, to open everything up so that it could be seen and Rachel couldn't hide.
Ariana brought a file out from her desk drawer, a file that she had been toiling over in secrecy for weeks. It included financial documents, board minutes, as well as private correspondence. It was a fine balance it could attract the unwanted attention, or just the right amount could change the tide favorably.
She got down to the task at hand and examined the documents carefully. She already had some plan in her mind: she would make sure that Rachel would be exposed for all her back door connections with the board members who had been compromised, using their own words and actions against them. But she also understood the fact that it was impossible to make this in a hurry. She had to be careful though, she would have to let the pressure mount before she sprang her trap.
The hours flew by, and Ariana worked, her mind being fresh and sharp. She was unable to afford any mistakes. She was aware that Rachel would be watching and looking for any form of weakness. Ariana had to think one step ahead.
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The next day, Ariana came to the headquarters of the Camelo Corporation a little earlier than normal. Her plan was materializing and she was set to put it in force. She headed her way to the boardroom where there was an already booked meeting. There were some board members that were already there, murmuring in hushed whisper as they awaited the start of the meeting.
Ariana sat down at the head of the table, her back straight. With the room becoming silent, she spoke to the group.
"I've been informed about certain issues that have to be sorted," she said in a calm yet rigid voice. "Namely, here some illegal activities were committed in this company: bribery and manipulation are just some of examples. And I am pretty sure that I can prove it".
She could tell that the tension was in the room. Some of the board members nervously looked at each other and some of them were uncomfortable with their postures. However, it was Greene's face she concentrated on. He was already sweating, his hands shaking a little.
Ariana smiled inwardly. This was just the beginning. "I think it's time we get everything on the table," she went on. I am well aware of the bribes, the off-the-book payments, and the undermining of my proposal. And I'm ready to take each and every one of you responsible for the action."
The room had gone quiet, her words like a weight to be carried on the silence. Ariana's mind started spinning when she saw first glimmer of doubt in the eyes of her antagonists. They did not expect her to have the upper hand.
However, Ariana had learned from her previous life. She had watched how the game went, and this time, she wasn't going to lose herself. She had the evidence, plan, as well as information to shift the tide in her favor. And this time Rachel would not be able to prevent her.
During the course of the meeting, Ariana came to appreciate the fact that the actual fight was still ahead. But she was ready. Ready to use each grain of knowledge, each advantage which she had in order to seize her future.