CHAPTER 281
Arianna had only just fallen into a peaceful sleep in Xander’s embrace when the first light of dawn began to seep into the sky.
When she finally woke, her eyes felt heavy, like she’d slept a hundred years.
The events of the previous night drifted into her mind, and she couldn’t help but think that she'd never look at the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in quite the same way.
After a few moments spent clearing the fog of sleep, she picked up her phone to check the time. It was nearly three in the afternoon, and notifications were stacked up on her lock screen—dozens of messages and a few missed calls.
Curious about what could have happened, she wrapped herself in the blanket, propped herself up comfortably, and tapped on her social media app.
The notifications were everywhere: 999+ unread private messages and an endless stream of alerts.
Entering the trending page, Arianna wasn’t too surprised to see her name attached to the top topics.
#WilliamSchmitApology
# StarlightNetworkUpdate
#AriannaisRightfulWinner
#TheReporterWhoSavedtheChildIsArianna
She clicked on the first tag, where William’s latest video was pinned at the top.
In the video, William looked worn down and visibly exhausted, as though he hadn’t slept all night. His stubble was showing, and his eyes seemed heavy with regret.
His voice was soft, almost apologetic, as he spoke slowly, looking down as if searching for words.
"To start, I owe an apology to everyone who believed in me and supported my work. I made errors in my professional judgment, and some personal matters clouded my decisions. The choice to keep certain details from the public was mine alone, and I take full responsibility. No one else is at fault here. I let down the network that once supported and nurtured me, and most of all, I let down Mrs King. To her, and all of you, I am truly sorry."
Then, with sincerity, he stood and gave a deep bow to the camera.
William then looked directly into the camera, his voice steady yet full of regret.
"I accept full responsibility for this situation and will be resigning from my position. This experience has shown me the importance of honesty and integrity in all actions. Thank you to everyone for your understanding."
The video ended abruptly.
Curious, Arianna tapped over to Starlight Network's official account. There, a statement clarified the situation, placing the full responsibility on William.
The day before, both William and Harmony had faced heavy criticism online. However, public outrage seemed to have focused solely on William now, while Harmony had managed to slip out of the spotlight.
Reading through the posts, Arianna couldn’t help but feel conflicted. William seemed to be shouldering the blame entirely, while Harmony had walked away relatively unscathed. He didn’t strike her as the self-sacrificing type, and Harmony certainly didn’t seem to have any influential connections.
Was someone else protecting her?
Exiting the app, she checked her missed calls and noticed an unfamiliar number had tried to reach her multiple times.
She decided to return the call.
It barely rang twice before the call connected. Arianna spoke politely,
“Hello, this is Arianna. I saw a few missed calls from this number. May I know who’s calling?”
“Hello, Arianna! This is the general manager of Starlight Network. Do you remember me?”
Arianna had met the general manager once before, so she was a bit surprised to be receiving a call from him.
Quickly, she responded, “Yes, I remember. Hello, Sir. Is there something you’d like to discuss?”
“I’d like to meet in person if you’re available. Could you stop by the station?”
Assuming he might want to clarify recent events, Arianna replied, “Of course, I can be there shortly.”
After the call ended, she freshened up and headed over to the Starlight Network building, where the general manager’s assistant met her in the lobby and escorted her to his office.
The general manager welcomed her warmly, standing with a friendly smile.
“Arianna, thank you for coming.”
Arianna returned his smile. “Thank you for inviting me, Sir.”
“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea? I just got a new blend I think you’ll enjoy.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
They both settled on the sofa, and he poured her a cup, carefully setting it down in front of her.
“Try it, but watch out—it’s quite hot.”
“Thank you.” Arianna took a gentle sip, savouring the tea's rich aroma and smooth taste.
“It’s excellent.”
The general manager chuckled, clearly pleased.
“Then please, enjoy as much as you like.”
Once they exchanged pleasantries, he straightened up, shifting to a more serious tone.
“Arianna, I want you to know that what happened was entirely William’s doing. No one else at Starlight Network was aware of his decisions. Our organization is committed to maintaining a strong ethical reputation.”
Had this happened years earlier, Arianna might have accepted his assurances without question. But experience had taught her to be cautious.
She found it hard to believe that William could have acted alone, especially considering how many staff members had kept silent. He likely had approval from somewhere up the chain, though she doubted the general manager himself was involved; he had been visibly shocked and upset when the incident came to light.
It was clear that the general manager’s goal was to ensure the matter ended with William’s resignation, preserving Starlight Network’s image.
Given his respectful approach and the fact that he hadn’t been involved in the wrongdoing, Arianna felt it only fair to honour his goodwill. After all, she was someone who valued integrity and appreciated genuine gestures.
Arianna picked up her teacup once more, finishing it in a single sip. She nodded and replied,
“I understand, Sir.”
Seeing her response, the general manager gave a pleased smile.
Her gesture of drinking the tea was a subtle sign that she was open to mending relations. He appreciated her maturity and understanding of the bigger picture.
Refilling her cup, he continued,
“Harmony’s win in this competition doesn’t reflect the true results. We’ve decided to disqualify her and award you as the rightful winner. If you’re willing to accept, we’ll re-present the award to you. Additionally, we’d like to extend a formal offer for you to join Starlight Network as part of our team.
“What do you say?”
Though Arianna had been disheartened by William’s actions, the general manager’s approach gave her a sense of relief.
One bad experience didn’t mean the entire organization shared in those faults. The general manager’s handling of the issue assured her that the network’s values remained intact.
Starlight Network had built a solid reputation over the years, becoming an industry leader. It was the place she had long hoped to work for, and she wasn’t going to let one person’s actions keep her from pursuing her dream.
Moreover, the victory and recognition were hers to begin with, and this chance was a testament to her dedication.
With a smile, Arianna said, “Thank you. I’d be honoured to accept.”
“Wonderful! Welcome to Starlight Network!”
The general manager stood and offered his hand, which Arianna took warmly, sealing her decision with a handshake.
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