"That ended earlier than expected," Gio comnted as he turned the steering wheel of the car they were in.
Arianne glanced at him before turning her attention back to the renewal proposal Mr. Ward had handed her.
"It was never ant to last longer," she replied, pausing, "You don’t have to drive around from now on. The company already arranged my security team."
Even if she was just an Interim CEO, she was still Franz’s legal wife and now a mber of the Rochefort family.
Gio nodded and didn’t argue.
"By the way, Ms. Mildred sent an email this morning, asking for a video call eting. The news of your prolonged stay and marriage has reached the board. They are asking questions," he said instead.
Arianne nodded. She’d been away for over three months. It was expected that her people were looking for her.
When they arrived ho, they were greeted with workers moving in and out of the place, and several voices drifted from the western wing of the estate. Franz ca down the stairs as soon as he spotted them.
"You’re early. Did sothing happen?" he asked.
Arianne shook her head. "No, everything is fine. It went according to our expectations. We will consider the alternatives."
Franz sighed. Although they already expected the outco of this eting, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
"I might not be able to pick up the twins from school later. Would you mind covering for today? I’ll pick them up on Thursday and Friday," he asked.
Arianne glanced around their new ho. It didn’t seem like they would be done anyti soon.
"That’s fine. I’ll go take them once my eting is over. I’ll be in my study if you need anything."
Franz thanked her before Arianne disappeared to her study for an hour.
When she erged, she picked up her car keys from her coat and went downstairs, seeing the sa chaos she’d seen earlier.
Franz had given her the details of the school the twins were attending. Using the GPS map on her car, Arianne drove at a steady pace. Montclair might have changed over the five years since her departure, but there were still familiar establishnts she recognized along the way.
She arrived at school earlier than scheduled. She looked around the school premises. Arianne noticed security was quite strict. Caras were strategically positioned at points where intruders might take advantage.
When she reached the gates, she was asked to show a pass, which Franz had thankfully given her earlier. She presented it and was given a parking space number tag to leave her car while waiting for the children.
Stepping inside the school building, Arianne was asked for her identification once again. She gave her na, and the security personnel checked it in the student records database. Her na flashed as a newly added legal guardian of the Rochefort twins.
The guard asked for their horoom teacher to co.
Arianne waited patiently until a woman in her early fifties arrived. She greeted Arianne politely and led her inside.
"Ms. Sumrs, Mr. Rochefort told about the sudden changes in their living situation. I am Gloria Ruiz, the twins’ horoom teacher," the woman said.
"I’m Arianne Sumrs. I’m the twins’ new legal guardian. Mr. Rochefort asked to pick up the children because of the sudden change in his schedule," she replied.
Teacher Gloria nodded before gesturing Arianne to follow her in the hallway.
"Truthfully, I haven’t t Mr. Rochefort in person," she told Arianne. "Our communications were strictly over the phone and with his assistant. There were things I wish I could discuss with him in person, but since you’re here, would you mind giving a mont of your ti, Ms. Sumrs?"
Arianne nodded. "Please, Ms. Ruiz. Anything for the children."
The horoom teacher looked pleased with her answer. They arrived in a small office where they could talk in private. The teacher gestured for Arianne to take a seat on the leather couch while she rounded her desk and pulled out the folders related to the Rochefort twins.
"I understand that the twins are struggling to adjust to their new normal now. Mrs. Rochefort used to co and pick them up after school hours. She even volunteered to help whenever there were school events. But since their passing, the twins have beco unusually quiet and barely participate in our activities."
Her tone sounded concerned, which made Arianne wonder about the severity of the situation.
Layla was a present mother to her children. Her sudden passing with Alex had turned the twins’ world upside down.
At ho, the twins act normally and behave. Arianne never heard them complain nor saw them act recklessly and cause trouble. She never thought the problem would manifest in a different form and place.
"Have you inford Mr. Rochefort about these issues?" Arianne asked.
Teacher Gloria shook her head.
"These are things that should be discussed in person, Ms. Sumrs. Parents of other children talk. We didn’t want to add more speculations to the problem. Lily refuses to eat unless her brother is next to her, while Leo always keeps himself alone, seated in the corner. We aren’t sure if these problems are present at ho, but we wanted them to be addressed as soon as possible."
"Mr. Rochefort has already sought professional help. Lily and Leo attend therapies twice a week, though I have yet to hear the prognosis or progress of their conditions." Arianne admitted. She made a ntal note to have a serious talk with Franz later regarding the twins’ conditions.
"I’m sure the Rochefort family wouldn’t neglect their needs," Teacher Gloria hesitated for a mont, "But Ms. Sumrs, if you don’t mind my overstepping, the children need stability in their lives right now."
She then handed Arianne a few forms that needed the guardian’s approval.
"Ms. Sumrs, since Mr. Rochefort is quite busy, would you be taking over as the primary contact for the twins?" The horoom teacher asked.
Arianne didn’t answer imdiately. Instead, she considered Franz and her recent schedules and availability.
She nodded.
"Yes," she replied before pulling out a calling card from her coat. "This is my contact information. Please don’t hesitate to contact if sothing is the matter with the twins."
Teacher Gloria smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Ms. Sumrs."
The school bell rang. The horoom teacher stood up and brought Arianne to the classroom where the kids were waiting.
Lily was the first one to see Arianne. Her eyes widened in surprise, but quickly turned into confusion. Still, she didn’t say a word, but picked up her bag with Leo following her lead.
The young boy was startled upon seeing Arianne outside. He looked around, and when he saw other kids running toward them, Leo took her hand and hid behind her.
Arianne glanced at the boy and at Lily, who chose to look away, clutching the strap of her bag tightly.
It seed there were things she and Franz had failed to notice earlier.
A long talk about them was long overdue.
She morized the details without comnt.
She didn’t reach for her phone.
So things, she decided, were better handled after the children were ho.
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