[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-364":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},364,16,"Chapter 16: \"Marriage, Today. Can You?\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell King was in the middle of a meeting when his phone buzzed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the ringtone cut through the silence, the entire conference room fell deathly quiet. Maxwell glanced at the screen, signaled for the subordinate to continue their report, and stood up, stepping into the stairwell to take the call.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had a vague intuition about what she was going to say.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Because of that, his heart hammered against his ribs with every step he took. His muscles were coiled tight, and a faint sheen of sweat slicked his palms where he gripped the phone. After all, the difference between a pleasant surprise and a devastating shock hinged entirely on this moment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He pressed the answer button with agonizing caution. \"Hello? Arianna?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That thing you mentioned last time... is it still on the table?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s breath hitched. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. \"Yes. It’s always been on the table.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her voice came through the line—soft, yet laced with a startling resolve. \"Maxwell, let’s get married.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His heart skipped a beat, then another, frantic and rhythmically broken. The air around him seemed to freeze, her words echoing in a constant, 360-degree loop inside his head. It took him a long, drawn-out moment to find his voice again. \"Yes. I’m ready.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was so shaken he could barely string a coherent sentence together. \"Where are you? I’m coming to get you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna sounded a bit stunned. \"Right now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes. We can head to the registry office today. Is that alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna went blank. She hadn't expected to move this quickly. It felt as if Maxwell hadn't wanted to waste a single second, impatient to seal their fate. But, having already made up her mind, there was nothing left to hesitate about.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the words left her lips, Maxwell pivoted and marched back toward his office. Under the bewildered gaze of his assistant, he snatched his car keys off the desk and strode out, barking at the person on the other end of the line, \"Do you have your household registration papers with you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I do,\" Arianna replied. \"I’ve been carrying them, just in case.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Stay put. I’m on my way.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, usually the obedient, quiet one, felt like she was doing something truly rebellious for the first time. From the moment she dialed his number to the moment she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs, her hands wouldn't stop trembling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't fear. It was a cocktail of adrenaline, nerves, and raw anticipation. She had to force herself to draw several deep breaths just to keep her heart from leaping right out of her chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Twenty minutes later, Maxwell’s car pulled up to the curb.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They hadn't discussed it over the phone, but by some strange, silent synchronicity, they were both wearing white button-down shirts. Arianna had paired hers with a knee-length skirt; Maxwell wore his with charcoal trousers. It looked like a carefully curated couple’s outfit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell eyed her shirt and offered a slow smile. \"I thought you might not have time to change, so I picked something up for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna looked back at the passenger seat. A white shopping bag sat there—a brand she didn't recognize, marked only by elegant English lettering. A neatly packaged blouse peeked out from the top.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"When did you even have time for that?\" she asked, stunned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"On the way here. It was on my route.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as she was about to ask if it was returnable, he cut in. \"You can't take it back. Their policy is final sale. Consider it a gift. Is that alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ari,\" Maxwell murmured, using her childhood nickname.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked, coming back to earth a second too late. \"Hm? What is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We’re going to be husband and wife,\" Maxwell said, his eyes focused on the road, his tone maddeningly calm. \"Husband and wife don't need to be so polite with each other.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The phrasing felt disturbingly familiar. Last night, at the amusement park, when she’d accidentally bumped into his chest and he’d carefully tended to her forehead, he’d said something very similar: *“Arianna, we’re friends. Friends don't need to be so polite.”*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the span of just a few hours, the tectonic plates of their relationship were shifting. From friends to spouses—the speed of it all made her wonder if she had finally lost her mind.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But then, she looked over at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was tall, his long legs taking up an intrusive amount of space in the narrow confines of the car. Sunlight bled through the window, catching his profile, carving his features into sharp, deep shadows. She could see the faint trace of veins along his forearms, lending a raw, dangerous edge to his composure. His pale knuckles gripped the steering wheel, a stark, forbidden contrast of black and white.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For an aesthetic-obsessed soul like Arianna, this was a win by any metric.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As for his character, she’d had a year in college to learn exactly who he was: steady, calm, a true gentleman. He was poised, reserved, and held women in high regard—he never engaged in those petty, degrading jokes so common in his circles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And as for his wealth, since taking the helm of King Enterprises, he had become the new darling of the business world, worth billions. Even a \"young master\" like Cameron Hughes didn't amount to a percent of what Maxwell was, let alone what he offered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This marriage, no matter how she looked at it, was entirely to her advantage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That thought prompted a sudden realization. \"Maxwell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't we need a prenuptial agreement?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Maxwell replied, effortlessly spinning the wheel to take a right turn. \"Who told you that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I looked it up online,\" Arianna said, pulling her phone from her bag, her expression serious. \"I even downloaded a template. You should take a look and see if it works for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell chuckled, waving it off. \"We really don't need that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He looked completely sincere. \"Money is just an external object. It’s not worth mentioning.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She couldn't help but be amused, a soft smile tugging at her lips, but she remained stubborn. \"The wealth gap between us is massive. If we were to divorce, I’d end up walking away with half of your assets. That’s not fair to you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fairness has nothing to do with it,\" Maxwell said. \"Marriage isn't a business transaction. We’re in this for the long haul.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish, Maxwell interrupted, his voice gentle. \"If we ever reach the point of divorce, it’ll be because I failed. If that happens, you’re entitled to that half. It’s the compensation you deserve for my shortcomings.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna opened her mouth to argue, but the car slid to a stop in front of the civil registry office. Maxwell didn't give her a chance to speak.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Besides,\" he added, his tone teasing, \"Miss Stone, we aren't even married yet. Isn't it a bit early to be discussing the divorce settlement?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wisely shut her mouth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A moment passed before she whispered, \"Fine. I get it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She looked ethereal in her white shirt—her skin glowed, a stark, blinding porcelain. The collar sat slightly open, revealing the delicate, elegant line of her collarbones. Her dark skirt hit just above the knee, showcasing legs that were straight and flawlessly smooth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she looked down to unbuckle her seatbelt, a stray lock of hair slipped over her ear, catching the gold of the afternoon sun. Her nose was slender, her profile serene.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched her in silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only when the *click* of the buckle echoed and she turned to look at him did he finally draw his gaze away. He thought to himself: to marry the woman he had spent years dreaming of—he had absolutely struck gold.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Arianna reached to open the door, Maxwell stopped her. \"Ari, wait.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He used her nickname with such natural ease, as if he were back in college calling her Arianna. It was ironic that she was the one still feeling a bit unaccustomed to it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She paused, turning back. \"What is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Did you bring the registry papers?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I did.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"ID card?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at him, bewildered. \"Brought that, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell smiled, his voice dropping into a low, intimate register. \"One last question. Are you sure? Are you going to regret this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maxwell,\" Arianna chuckled. \"That’s clearly two questions.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then... will you regret it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna didn't know why he was so fixated on that particular outcome, but she answered both anyway.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m sure. And I won't regret it.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272904820]