[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-370":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},370,22,"Chapter 22: \"Can You Be More Lenient, Mrs. King?\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A sudden wave of raw, masculine scent crashed over her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna pressed her back against the wall, finding herself effortlessly caged within his reach, with nowhere to run. Maxwell pinned her in that narrow space, his dark eyes locked onto hers, burning with a deep, inscrutable intensity that Arianna couldn't quite decipher.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She met his gaze, seeing her own reflection mirrored back in those dark depths.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before he got too close, Maxwell stopped, maintaining a perfectly respectful distance. He lowered his gaze, observing her with a slow, deliberate focus.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before Arianna could find her voice, he spoke, his tone lightening. \"Alright, I'm done teasing you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked, caught completely off guard.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I was just joking.\" Seeing her dazed expression, Maxwell’s lips quirked into a faint smile. He reached out to ruffle her soft hair, his voice dropping to a smooth, gentle register. \"This bedroom is yours.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then where are you sleeping?\" Arianna asked, the question slipping out before she could catch it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell raised an eyebrow with a languid, casual charm and gestured toward the room next door. \"In the guest room right next to yours. If you need anything at all tonight, just call for me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What could she possibly need in the middle of the night? Surely, nothing would happen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s mind raced with panicked, disjointed thoughts. \"I can't take this. This is your house—you should be in the master bedroom.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Arianna,\" Maxwell said, his expression hardening into sudden, earnest gravity. \"I told you, this isn't just my house anymore. It’s your home, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You are the lady of this house. You can sleep in any room you choose, and you can do whatever you want.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had noticed it. Arianna was a woman who could remain calm and collected in the face of indifference, cold shoulderings, or even subtle malice. But the moment someone showed her genuine kindness, she was like a child who had never been given a treat—panicked, disoriented, and completely at a loss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She even possessed a subtle, defensive resistance to it. A resistance to that \"treat\" of unknown origin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt a swell of warmth at his words, yet her instinctual guard remained up. \"But...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish her protest, Maxwell cut her off. \"I’ve been sleeping in that guest room for years. I’m used to it. You don't expect me to be the one who feels slighted and kicks myself out of my own master bedroom just because you moved in, do you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna gave a soft, quiet rebuttal, \"Then I can sleep in one of the other rooms.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s logic short-circuited; he completely glossed over the obvious loophole in her suggestion. He considered it with exaggerated seriousness. \"The other rooms won't work. No beds, haven't been cleaned in forever—they're not fit for guests.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really?\" Arianna looked confused, gesturing toward another door down the hall. \"But when I came up earlier, I saw...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hadn't finished the sentence when Maxwell interrupted her again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Besides—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He leaned in, his eyelashes dipping low as he bore into her eyes. His tall frame loomed over her, effectively enveloping her in his shadow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A faint, playful smile played on his lips, his expression one of roguish indulgence. \"Arianna, it’s one thing that we can’t share a room, but now you’re telling me I can’t even stay in the next room over to be closer to my own wife?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice dropped, sounding particularly aggrieved. \"Mrs. King, can’t you try being a little more lenient with me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lenient?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was completely stunned. Was he implying she was some kind of heartless tyrant? \"How am I being—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Living so far apart, we’ll eventually grow distant,\" Maxwell argued.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How could it possibly be \"far\"? They were in the same villa. Even if she picked the room at the very end of the hall, it wouldn't take more than thirty seconds to reach him. Arianna couldn't wrap her head around his logic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But looking at Maxwell now—his dark eyes seemed to shimmer with a misty, wounded look, like he was genuinely wronged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna finally caved, forcing herself to accept his \"reasonable\" request. \"Fine, I’ll take the master bedroom. Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the words left her lips, the wounded look vanished from Maxwell’s face instantly. He straightened his posture, the gloominess wiped away as if it had never existed. His eyes danced with amusement, and he returned to his usual, effortless, and composed self.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for letting me be a little closer to you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only then did it hit her: she’d been played.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maxwell!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had been toyed with twice in the span of a few minutes. Arianna felt a flash of irritation—mostly at herself for being so dim-witted, falling for his act so easily and letting him dictate her every emotion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But as she took in the details of the room, her annoyance began to fade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was clear that long before she arrived, Maxwell had painstakingly prepared this space. The bedsheets, the linens, the curtains—everything was done in soft, warm tones, a stark departure from his preferred stark black-and-white aesthetic. The walk-in closet was carpeted with plush, soft rugs patterned with playful little animals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Rows of clothing hung in the cabinets—dresses, tees, shorts, and skirts, all neatly categorized, all the latest season from her favorite brands. On the European-style cream vanity sat a collection of cosmetics.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna recognized the brand. It was the one she used most frequently. How could he have possibly known?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Perhaps it was just a coincidence?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In any case, he had transformed this entire space into a cozy, welcoming retreat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing her linger on the vanity with a look of lingering confusion, Maxwell hesitated before deciding to be honest. \"I happened to scroll past your social media feed one day. I clicked on it, so I saw that you used those products.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s eyes widened in realization. \"Oh, no wonder...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah,\" Maxwell swept his gaze around the room. \"Everything was bought on short notice. There are bound to be things I missed. If you need anything else, just tell me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Truthfully, he had been more than thorough. Even the bathroom vanity was stocked with her preferred face wash and body lotion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"There's nothing else,\" Arianna looked up at him, her sincerity evident. \"Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had been planning to head out. At her words, he paused, turning back to face her with an expression that was half-helpless and half-amused. \"Arianna.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He paused, then deliberately chose a different title. \"Mrs. King, we’re married. Please, stop being so polite with me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He placed a heavy emphasis on the name \"Mrs. King,\" as if he were trying to remind her of something specific.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s heart hammered against her ribs. A burning, crimson heat crept up her neck and settled into her earlobes. She murmured a quiet, \"I understand.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Goodnight, Arianna.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She truly didn't know how he managed to say her name with such effortless intimacy. \"Goodnight, Maxwell.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272905696]