With the deliberate intensity of a man who had built an empire by reading between the lines, Adrian said, "Mrs. Chen-Stones," leaning forward, "let's discuss what this meeting is really about."
Aria kept her calm while yet feeling her pulse accelerating. "I'm not sure I understand your meaning."
"You want me to keep it from your husband and enter a business partnership that would directly undermine his company." Adrian's gray eyes were sharp, evaluating. "This transcends mere discerning. You want me to actively challenge Stones Enterprises while keeping your husband ignorant of your participation."
'She's either quite desperate or quite foolish', Adrian thought, looking for tells on her face. 'And nothing about her presentation points to foolishness.'
Just like two smart people circling each other like chess masters assessing their opponent's next action, the mood in the room had changed from business courtesy to strategic assessment.
"Perhaps we should talk about the present state of my marriage before proceeding with business matters," Aria said gently.
Adrian became more focused. From his experience, the situation was either extremely simple or extremely dangerous when personal relationships crossed with business proposals.
"I'm not usually engaged in my clients' personal relationships," he said.
Adrian watched her for a long time. He had developed his reputation on basing wise decisions on all the facts. He had to know the rules for whatever game was being played here.
"Before we proceed," he said slowly, "I should mention that Stones Enterprises has come to my attention for several reasons beyond normal business competition."
Though Aria's well-calibrated surprise was nearly invisible, Adrian sensed it. 'She knows something,' he thought.
"What sort of reasons?" she asked.
"My company has been looking at dubious business practices in our sector," Adrian said, observing her closely. "Your husband's company operations have begged some... concerns."
'He's already looking into Marcus.' Aria thought as she felt her pulse quickening with enthusiasm. 'This is exactly perfect.'
"What kind of concerns?" she leaned slightly forward.
Adrian stopped. He was about to veer from professional suspicion into active disclosure of a current inquiry. But Aria Chen-Stones's response seemed to point to her perhaps having solutions to questions he had been posing.
"Financial irregularities," he said, speaking deliberately. "Uncertain alliances. transactions unrelated to accepted corporate policies."
'If only you knew how much worse it gets,' Aria thought.
"Are these allegations you are making, or documented concerns?" she asked.
"Let us say there are trends that call for more investigation."
Aria asked with purpose. "What if I told you your doubts could be more accurate than you would think?"
Adrian's whole manner changed to great focus. 'She knows something specific', he thought. 'She has information; thus, this isn't fishing.'
"What kind of information do you have?"
"The kind that might validate your most negative views on Marcus Stones."
Now the room was tense, both sides aware the discussion had gone much beyond business proposals into something far more perilous.
"Are you prepared to offer proof contradicting your own husband?" Adrian asked straightforwardly.
Aria stopped to consider her words. "I'm offering to offer truth about business practices that damage respectable companies just like yours."
'She is definitely providing evidence', Adrian considered, 'but she is phrasing it carefully. Why?'
"Mrs. Chen-Stones," Adrian remarked with real concern, "if you're in a situation that requires you to investigate your own husband..."
Aria was taken aback by his tone of protection. Unlike Marcus's unfounded concern, Adrian's seemed real—more on her safety than on his own needs.
"I'm rather suited to manage my own circumstances," she said.
"That doesn't mean safe," Adrian said firmly. "Exposing Marcus if he is involved in the activities I suspect could be dangerous."
"Exactly what do you suspect him of?" she asked.
Once more, Adrian hesitated. Although his instincts told him this woman was either a valuable asset or in great danger—possibly both—sharing specifics of an ongoing investigation broke policy.
"At least financial fraud," he said. "Probably more serious crimes depending on how far his operations extend."
Aria considered, 'If only you knew how much more serious.'
"What would you say if I told you I have been compiling proof?"
Adrian's face changed to one of urgency. "I would suggest you need professional protection rather than a business partnership."
Now clearly in his voice was the sincere concern. Though Adrian Blackwood was not a man who displayed sensitivity readily, his protective instincts were clearly triggered by the idea of Marcus Stones' wife compiling proof against him.
Aria thought. 'Interesting, he does really worry about my safety.'
"If you're serious about exposing financial crimes," Adrian said, "there are appropriate channels and safety protocols. You do this, not by yourself."
"How long have you known about your husband's dubious business practices?" He asked, his sharp mind clearly working through the ramifications.
"Let's say recent events have let me see differences I previously missed," Aria said gently.
Adrian started testing her knowledge with challenging questions on evidence needs, legal consequences, and financial structures. Aria's answers showed a sophisticated knowledge much above what he would have expected.
'She has been rather underappreciated. This is someone with actual intelligence who has been purposefully hiding her talents, not a trophy wife playing at business,' he thought.
"If you have been collecting evidence," he asked, "how comprehensive is your documentation?"
With a tiny smile, Aria said, "More comprehensive than you might expect from someone you assumed was just a trophy wife."
Adrian started to grin back at her. "I'm starting to see I assumed wrongly about your... engagement in business matters."
"Systemically and deliberately underestimated," Aria said. "It's proved quite helpful for compiling material."
'Smart,' Adrian thought with mounting respect. 'She has been operating against people's presumptions.'
"You've been underestimated, haven't you?" he said.
"Methodically and consciously. It's turned out rather helpful for information gathering."
Adrian felt he was actually impressed. The woman seated across from him was obviously far more formidable than anyone, including her husband.
"This situation is rather more complicated than a basic business partnership," he noted.
"Exactly why I need an ally who can grasp difficult circumstances."
Adrian studied her face, seeing the intelligence and will she had developed to create her own empire. He was starting to trust Aria Chen-Stones against better sense.
"If we're going to proceed," he said at last, "I need to understand the whole scope of what you're proposing."
With quiet intensity, Aria said, "I'm suggesting that we mix our resources to expose systematic financial crimes."
"Also the business partnership?"
"Generates reasonable profit while covering research operations. Your legal knowledge and contacts, along with my insider access, really complement each other."
Adrian thought through the suggestion. It was dangerous, difficult, and possibly explosive. It was also rather excellent.
"Mrs. Chen-Stones," he said deliberately, "if we're going to work together, I need complete honesty about any immediate dangers."
Aria stopped to think about how much to say about Marcus's growing schedule and the doctor meeting.
"Our timeline may have some... urgency," she said.
"What level of urgency?"
"The kind that suggests Marcus's activities are already escalating outside financial crimes."
Adrian's face grew sharp with panic. "What exactly are you saying?"
Her phone buzzed before Aria could reply. Her gut dropped when she looked at the caller ID.
Sarah, the investigator working for her. Calling with what was clearly news about the enigmatic doctor.
"Is everything alright?" Seeing her posture, Adrian inquired.
Looking at Adrian, Aria realized she was about to walk across a line she couldn't undo. Should she respond to this call in front of him, he would learn more about her circumstances than she intended to divulge.
She answered, "Sarah?" almost automatically setting the phone on speaker.
"Mrs. Chen-Stones, we have to meet right away," Sarah's voice carried through the phone with professional urgency. "I know who the doctor your husband visited...."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up, his keen mind instantly analyzing the ramifications of someone phoning about a doctor his company competitor was seeing covertly.
"Mrs. Chen-Stones," Adrian said softly, his voice now expressing a fresh degree of anxiety, "I think we should have a much longer conversation about your husband's activities."