[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-376":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},376,28,"Chapter 28: \"Your Business Is My Business\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few minutes later, the property management shuttle pulled up and stopped precisely in front of them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. King?\" the attendant asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You ordered a bouquet of flowers via our delivery service this afternoon. The courier just dropped them off with us.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell took the flowers from his hands. \"Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're very welcome. Have a wonderful day, and goodbye!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before the words had even finished echoing, the shuttle zoomed off, carrying its cargo of packages and groceries, and vanished from sight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stood there, blinking, still trying to process the scene. Why did he order flowers? Was there some special occasion she had missed?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell turned, offering her the bouquet. His voice was low and gentle. \"Arianna, for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was a bundle of sunflowers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The golden petals were vibrant and stunning, stretching out like they were waking up from a nap, revealing the dark, immature seeds nestled in the center. The stems were thick and sturdy, and the bundle felt heavy and substantial in her arms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna took them, bewildered. \"Why flowers?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell reached out, tucking a few loose petals back into the vintage brown paper wrap. \"To celebrate you getting your promotion.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna paused, completely caught off guard.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A smile touched Maxwell's lips as he reached out to take her hand, pulling her toward their home. \"Back inside. Remind me, exactly when did you get the news?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yesterday.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s pace faltered, and he shot her a sideways glance. \"Then why didn't you tell me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice dropped, feigning a hint of wounded vulnerability. There was no actual malice in it, but it made Arianna’s conscience prickle uncomfortably.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She scrambled to find a way to explain herself, but Maxwell beat her to it. \"Oh, right. You didn't tell me at all. I had to ask to find out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had thrown two invisible daggers, and both struck her right in the heart. Arianna felt like she’d been metaphorically skewered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If I hadn't asked,\" Maxwell pressed, his tone turning firm, almost cornering her, \"how long were you planning on keeping it to yourself?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes remained soft, however, as he gently massaged her fingertips. It felt as intimate as kneading soft dough.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna finally caved, surrendering to the truth. \"I just thought... it’s just a promotion. It’s not really a big deal.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Maxwell corrected her, seeing right through her facade. \"You just thought that because it’s a promotion, it wouldn't be a big deal *to me*.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hadn't expected him to nail her internal monologue so accurately. Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him, startled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stopped walking, his long fingers resting on her shoulders as he leaned in to meet her gaze. \"Is that right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes were deep and luminous, as if he could catalog every one of her insecurities. Arianna had nowhere to hide. She bit her lip nervously. \"I was just worried you’d think I was making a big fuss over nothing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I would never.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell held her stare, his gaze unblinking. Arianna held the sunflowers to her chest; the scent of the blooms drifted between them, perfuming the air. His eyes were burning, his voice low and unwavering.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Arianna, your business is my business.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His dark eyes mirrored her own slender frame. He held his head tilted so he was level with her, and she didn't need to look up; she just had to lift her chin slightly to drown in that inky, bottomless gaze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She wanted to ask him why. Why say that? Why treat her like this? But she already knew the likely answer—because they were married, and this was what married couples did. It was a standard, rehearsed response. But beyond that, Arianna couldn't fathom another reason.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had to admit, Maxwell was an exemplary man, an exemplary husband. They had absolutely no emotional foundation, yet he navigated this marriage with such precision. If he actually had someone he truly loved, she couldn't help but wonder, that person would probably be pampered beyond belief.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s long, articulate fingers were still resting on her shoulders. He hooked his arm around her, steering her forward with a relaxed, lazy confidence. \"Let’s go. Inside.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Until now, they had never shared such an intimate, ambiguous proximity. The most they’d ever done was hold hands. Now, pulled half-into his embrace, her arm occasionally brushed against his side. She could feel the taut, firm muscles beneath his clothes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was like a walking pulse of energy. He was the kind of guy who looked slim in a suit but was likely made of pure, high-density muscle underneath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The walk was only a few steps, but it felt like a lifetime. Her palms began to sweat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they stepped onto the porch, the smell of a home-cooked meal hit them, effectively shattering her train of thought. She realized then that Maxwell had actually cooked, and it smelled incredible.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you cook often?\" she asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell considered this. \"Occasionally. We usually have a housekeeper for that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then why today...?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She already had the answer, especially when she walked into the dining room and saw the table groaning under the weight of a full feast. Sticky BBQ ribs, pan-seared sea bass with herbs, butter-garlic shrimp, and a rich beef and potato pot roast.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s mouth fell open. \"Did—did you make all of this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was the picture of nonchalance, or at least he played the part well. He nodded, pulling her chair out for her. \"Mrs. King, please, have a taste. Feel free to give me your feedback so I can improve next time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at the spread, at a loss for words. After a long moment, she slowly sat down and placed her sunflowers to the side. Maxwell took his seat opposite her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She finally couldn't help but ask, \"Why did you suddenly decide to cook and make so much food today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell picked up a wine glass and poured her a glass of orange juice before pouring himself one. \"To celebrate you getting your promotion, of course,\" he said, a faint, idle smile playing on his lips. \"What else would it be for?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was stumped. He was right. Why would a man who rarely stepped into the kitchen bother with a full-course feast today if not for her?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Myria clears out a lot of new hires every year,\" Maxwell said, using a serving spoon to drop a rib onto her plate. \"The benefits are great, so there's little turnover. Most positions are saturated. In that kind of environment, landing a permanent spot is a real achievement.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He looked at her, his eyes crinkling with amusement. \"Especially doing it a month early. That’s definitely something worth celebrating.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272905785]