"Alliance Proposition"

Aria sat in the quiet of her house, surrounded by the surveillance cameras she had installed just yesterday after hanging up the call. Every gadget was recording, every conversation caught, but Marcus was obviously running on a schedule she hadn't completely expected. 

She needed Adrian Blackwood's alliance right now as well. 

"Another hectic day, darling?" Over breakfast, Marcus asked casually the next morning.

Aria forced brightness into her voice as she looked up from her uneatable eggs Benedict. "I intended to investigate some investment prospects right now. Perhaps start showing more of an interest in business, as you have been advising. 

Marcus's face turned clearly toward approval. "Very good concept, darling. Still, keep in mind to stay with reasonable, safe investments. Nothing too difficult for someone learning business principles."

She answered politely, "Of course. I wouldn't want to get in over my head with complicated business matters." 

"That's my sensible girl." Marcus carefully examined his pricey watch. "I'll be in meetings most of the day; the Peterson acquisition calls for personal attention, and there's still that presentation to the Morrison Group." 

"You really do work so hard, sweetheart. I'm fortunate to have someone managing all the difficult corporate decisions."

Ignorant of his wife's already planned methodical destruction, Marcus kissed her forehead and then gathered his briefcase. 

Aria was moving the instant his car vanished down the driveway. 

___

Two hours later, she was examining the understated elegance that suggested real success rather than ostentatious display in Blackwood Industries' marble lobby. The building itself was a statement; Adrian Blackwood had created something significant and durable. 

She told the receptionist, a professional woman in her thirties whose keen eyes suggested she was more than a decorative piece, "Mrs. Chen-Stones to see Mr. Blackwood. I have a 2PM appointment." 

"Clearly. Mr. Blackwood is waiting for you. Kindly follow me."

Comprising floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city, the executive suite filled the complete top level. Rising from behind his desk, Adrian Blackwood was tall and strong, his sort of presence filling a room without effort. 

"Mrs. Chen-Stones," he replied, his voice carrying courteous professionalism with an undercurrent of questions. "Please, take a seat. I can see you would like to talk about a business cooperation."

Aria caught Adrian studying her with the kind of sharp attention that suggested he missed very little as she settled into the leather chair across from his desk. His gray eyes were intelligent, analytical, and utterly unlike Marcus's cold-blooded look. Marcus judged people for weakness; Adrian seemed to be evaluating for the potential. 

"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Blackwood," Aria started, opening the portfolio she had created. "Based on your company's amazing expansion path, I think there could be major strategic partnership prospects." 

Adrian slanted back in his chair, his expression still neutral but focused. "I find creative cooperation ideas to be always fascinating. What exactly were you thinking about?"

Aria said while distributing thorough financial projections across his desk, "A strategic alliance in the emerging markets sector. Your company's knowledge of moral business conduct combined with my family's well-known market presence could rule several important industries." 

As Adrian studied her analysis, his eyebrows slightly lifted. The files were thorough, professionally written, and displayed a degree of market knowledge that quite startled him. 

He thought to himself, looking over the thorough profit forecasts and risk analyses, 'She is not what I expected. These are not the creations of someone engaged in business play.'

"This is rather thorough," he said aloud. "Did you develop this analysis yourself?" 

"I have been closely researching the market," Aria said with quiet assurance. "Sometimes new ideas point out chances lost by more established players." 

'Like chances for retribution,' she said silently. 

Adrian discovered he was actually fascinated. He had expected either a naive dilettante or a deliberate manipulation when his assistant mentioned that Marcus Stones' wife wanted to talk about a business partnership. Neither of those was true. The woman seated across from him had obviously done a lot of serious study. 

Aria said, pointing to particular forecasts, "The partnership would leverage complementary strengths." "Your company's ethical standards and openness give market credibility; my family's resources and contacts give instant market access." 

Watching her face closely, Adrian asked, "And the competitive implications?" 

Aria looked right at him. "Among other things, this cooperation would greatly affect Stones Enterprises' market posture."

'There it is, the actual agenda,' Adrian thought.

"I'm sure your husband has views on your business ventures," he said gently. 

"Marcus motivates my independence, especially in areas where I have natural aptitude," Aria answered fluidly. "He's always said I should follow my own interests." 

Adrian watched her for a long time. The idea was brilliant, more than merely reasonable. Still, the fundamental ramifications were complicated. She was effectively asking him to engage in a commercial relationship that would directly challenge her own husband's company. 

"The timeline for market entry is critical," Aria said, sensing his reluctance. "While current conditions are ideal, that window may close rapidly." 

"Mrs. Chen-Stones," Adrian said gently, "this is a really outstanding idea. rather remarkably advanced." 

"I hope that's not because you undervalued my capacity." 

"Not undervalued," he said with great care, "but I have to ask—what's your husband's attitude on this partnership?" 

Aria paused to acknowledge this pivotal point. Her handling of this particular question determined everything. 

"Marcus doesn't know about this meeting," she said with deliberate honesty. "And frankly, I'd prefer to keep it that way until we decide whether there is real mutual benefit." 

Adrian's face grew sharp as he thought, 'She is asking me to keep business deals that directly conflict with her husband's interests secret from her husband.'

"Are you asking me to keep secret from your husband business deals that would directly compete with his interests?" 

Between them, the question hung in the air with ramifications far beyond straightforward corporate alliances. 

Aria came to see she was at a junction. She could present a basic business proposal or start exposing the truth about why she truly needed Adrian Blackwood as an ally. 

"Mr. Blackwood," she said gently, "I think we need to discuss what 'mutual benefit' really means in this context."