[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-368":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},368,20,"Chapter 20: The Six-Mile Logic","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, Arianna Stone headed into the office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Following a three-day paid break, everyone was still lingering in holiday mode, moving with a sluggish, uninspired lethargy. After lunch, the department head, Miranda Green, called an emergency meeting. The agenda was mostly fluff—corporate pep talks and promises of another five-day paid vacation if they met their targets. Essentially, it was just painting a pretty picture of the future.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But, to give credit where it was due, the tactic worked. Especially for a green rookie like Arianna, who spent the rest of the afternoon working with a feverish intensity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the clock ticked toward the end of the day, Miranda called her into the office to drop some unexpected news: management had decided to fast-track her probationary period.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After signing the employment contract and stumbling back out, Arianna felt like she was floating. Her feet barely touched the carpet. It was a genuine stroke of luck. Just days ago, she had been spiraling over whether she’d even be kept on; now, she was officially a permanent member of the Myria team, a month ahead of schedule.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She couldn't wait to share the news with Rosemary Stone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she walked down the corridor, she crossed paths with Jenna Lawson, another new hire who had joined the same time she did. Jenna caught a glimpse of the contract in Arianna’s hand, froze, and blinked in surprise. \"Arianna? Is that... an official offer?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, still on the phone with Rosemary and wearing a wide, radiant smile, simply nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jenna stared at that glowing face for a few seconds, then forced a bright, cheery smile of her own. \"That’s amazing! Huge congratulations!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thanks,\" Arianna beamed back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as Arianna rounded the corner, Jenna’s expression collapsed. The mask of friendliness dropped instantly, replaced by a cold, sharp bitterness. She muttered under her breath, \"It's just a promotion. What exactly is there to be so smug about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Around six in the evening, Arianna received a text from Maxwell King.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: Are you almost off work?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, currently hunched over her desk finishing a proposal, typed back: I’ve still got a bit to do. Why?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: I’m downstairs, by the northwest exit. Just head down when you're done.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: Oh? You’re already here?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: Yes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: I’ll need at least thirty minutes, I’m sorry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: No rush. Take your time. I haven't been in this area much, I’ll just walk around for a bit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s emotional regulation always seemed impenetrable—never hurried, never annoyed, always steady. Arianna bit her lip. \"Okay, I'll be as quick as I can.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With someone waiting for her, she naturally kicked her pace into high gear. Half an hour later, she emerged from the northwest side entrance dragging a suitcase—she and Maxwell had agreed she would move into his place tonight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The side entrance was quiet, traffic thin. She spotted Maxwell’s black Bentley instantly; it was as bold and attention-grabbing as he was. He was scanning the crowd, and the moment he saw her, he was out of the car. He walked over and took the suitcase from her. \"Everything packed?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The suitcase was large, packed with her clothes and toiletries. Arianna didn’t plan to cancel the lease on her old apartment just yet; the contract had a few months left, and she wanted a safety net.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes,\" she nodded. \"Everything's in there.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell loaded the bag into the trunk, then walked to the passenger side and opened the door for her. \"Alright then. Let's go home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once she was settled inside, Maxwell leaned in to gently shut the door before walking around to the driver’s side. Arianna leaned back in the seat, biting her lip. His over-the-top chivalry always left her feeling like she was walking on eggshells—she never knew how to act. Should she thank him again? Since they’d reconnected, she’d lost count of how many times she’d said \"thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s villa sat on the outskirts of the city, tucked away in a quiet, secluded pocket of greenery. Lush bamboo masked the perimeter, and the trees lining the driveway were a deep, vibrant green.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The house was sleek and modern. A massive, curved brown sofa dominated the living room, accented by an intricate, glittering crystal chandelier and floor-to-ceiling windows that made the space feel both grand and airy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they were inside, Maxwell gave her a tour—the living area, the kitchen, the dining room, and the home theater. His voice was warm and smooth. \"This is your home now, too. Shall I show you the bedroom upstairs?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, please.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna followed him up. The ornate, carved wooden railing felt cool and smooth under her palm. That was when a practical worry surfaced. \"If I live out here, my commute to work is going to be brutal. I’ll have to leave at the crack of dawn.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She’d checked the map on the way over; there were no subway stations nearby, and the closest bus stop was miles away. Still, she reminded herself that Maxwell taking her in was already a massive favor. She shouldn't complain—at least she wouldn't have to dodge Cameron Hughes every night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But it's fine,\" she added quickly, trying to sound positive. \"I’ll figure it out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell, who had been about to say something, stopped and looked at her, his expression unreadable. \"Figure it out? Like how?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hadn't actually thought of a solution; it was just a polite, reflexive excuse. But Maxwell wasn’t letting it go. He had that look in his eye—the kind that suggested he wouldn't stop until he got a real answer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cornered, she offered the most basic plan she could think of. \"I'll just get up earlier.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell leaned against the wall, his posture languid and tall. \"The nearest subway station is 3.7 miles away. The closest bus stop is 1.2 miles away, and you'd have to transfer twice to get to your office. So—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He raised an eyebrow, a faint, dangerous smile playing on his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So—how early do you plan on waking up to ensure you don't end up late every single day?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The math left her speechless. She opened her mouth, met his piercing, challenging gaze, and whispered, \"I’ll just wake up earlier. It’ll be fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How early?\" Maxwell pressed. \"Four a.m.? Three? Or do you just plan on not sleeping at all?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna had no answer. She didn't even know what she was supposed to say.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched her struggle for a moment, let out a silent sigh, and turned to head back downstairs. Arianna stood where she was, staring at his retreating back, a sudden wave of indignation washing over her. He was annoyed. She didn't even know what she’d done wrong. If the subway was far, she’d just wake up earlier. What was the problem?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as she was trying to process it, Maxwell returned. He was holding something.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared, confused. Why was he holding their marriage certificate?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He opened the red booklet right in front of her, pointing at the text with his finger just like he had in the car. His voice was deadly serious. \"Arianna, we are married, aren't we?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had no idea where he was going with this. She nodded slowly. \"Yes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"At the registry office, we filled out the forms. We signed our names on the lines for husband and wife,\" Maxwell continued. \"Arianna, we are a married couple. Legally, officially, a married couple.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't need to 'figure things out' on your own. I am your husband. And a husband is supposed to take care of his wife.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272905626]