Responses

He obviously loves his niece (actually evey person in that family love her).He doesn't like it when others are scheming to help him to take the company from sami. It's just that he's grieving too and he's coping that way. If he hates her he wouldn't even care about the rumors. It would actually be more beneficial to him if sami gets destroyed by the rumor and het literally ousted from the family.
all this fucker cares about is image, you're more worried about dispelling a rumor rather than take care of someone's well being that might directly be affected by the rumor.
and if she hears the rumor i think it would only encourage her self blaming thinking it really is her fault..... something like a confirmation.