The driver pulled up to a high-end jewelry boutique nestled near the city’s premier shopping district.

The hour was still early, and they were greeted by a new sales associate. She was clearly green, fumbling over her words, yet her eyes remained glued to Maxwell.

It wasn't hard to see why. The man was a walking masterpiece—broad-shouldered with a trim, athletic waist, his silhouette cutting a striking figure even from across the street. His features were razor-sharp: a strong, straight nose, perfectly defined lips, and a jawline that could slice through glass. He moved with that signature air of careless wealth, an aloof, cool magnetism that made it impossible to look away.

Arianna noticed the girl’s lingering gaze. She felt a flicker of annoyance, but she kept quiet. Maxwell was, by all accounts, exceptionally handsome. While the associate’s blatant ogling was… uncomfortable, it wasn't as if she could hide him away from the rest of the world.

She blinked, momentarily stunned by her own train of thought. Where had that sudden, possessive urge come from?

They picked out a set of matching rings, simple and understated, designed for daily wear rather than for show. Once the decision was made, Maxwell took her hand and steered her toward a different glass display case.

"Let's look at necklaces," he said, gesturing to a piece behind the velvet lining. "What do you think? Do you like this one?"

He had spotted it the moment they walked in, his intuition telling him it would match her style perfectly. Sure enough, Arianna’s eyes lit up. She stared at it, transfixed. "It’s beautiful."

Maxwell’s lips curled into a smirk. He turned to the associate. "Could you take that out? We’d like to see it."

His tone was laced with a warmth and indulgence that sat in direct contradiction to his cold, sophisticated exterior. The associate stared at him for several seconds, completely dazed, before she finally found her voice. "Oh, yes, right away, sir. You have excellent taste. This is one of our flagship pieces..."

Maxwell interrupted her with a polite, razor-thin smile. "May she try it on?"

"Of course, please."

The associate scrambled to bring over a mirror. Arianna sat in one of the velvet chairs, the glass reflecting the image of Maxwell standing behind her, his long, elegant fingers carefully fastening the chain around her neck.

The metal felt icy against her skin. He kept his palm cupped near her throat until she adjusted to the chill, then let his hand drop away. The pendant was a crescent moon cradling a cluster of tiny, brilliant-cut stars. They caught the light, sparkling with the same chaotic, beautiful intensity as a clear night sky.

Maxwell watched her reflection, his expression softening as he leaned in. "Do you like it?"

Arianna nodded.

Satisfied, Maxwell took the remaining jewelry she’d looked at and placed it into a velvet box for safekeeping.

The associate, eager to make a sale, leaned over and pulled out another piece. "And this one, sir? I think it would suit her perfectly. Her skin is so fair, and this design really accentuates the current fashion trends."

Maxwell cast a cursory glance at the jewelry before turning back to Arianna. "What do you think?"

"Hmm... it’s alright."

That was code for 'no.' Maxwell chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze. "Want to keep looking?"

Without waiting for Arianna’s input, the associate pressed on, pulling out a jade bangle. "Sir, you really should consider this. The lady has such slender wrists—this would look absolutely stunning on her."

Arianna stepped closer, curious. "What kind of jade is this?"

"Hetian jade," the associate rattled off, barely acknowledging Arianna. She turned back to Maxwell, her smile widening. "Sir, or perhaps you’d like to see this full set? It’s truly a classic..."

Arianna felt like an invisible prop. The associate was putting all her effort into selling to Maxwell, occasionally throwing in a hollow compliment about her skin or her neck, but every word was directed solely at him. She was being treated as a mannequin, not a customer.

Arianna offered a cool, faint smile and turned toward a different display case.

Maxwell caught her hand, pulling her back.

The associate continued her pitch, oblivious. "This is our new summer collection, sir. If you look here—"

"Excuse me," Maxwell said, his voice dropping into a tone of quiet, impenetrable finality. "Please direct your questions to my wife. I don't make the decisions here."

He looked at Arianna with absolute devotion. "Mrs. King gets the final word."

The smile on the associate’s face withered. She stammered, finally realizing she had misread the entire room. "Right. Of course. Ma’am, what do you think of this collection? Do you like it?"

In the end, Arianna didn't buy the associate's suggestions. She stuck to the couple rings and the star-studded necklace.

When it came time to pay, the associate watched, jaw dropped, as Arianna pulled a black card from her clutch and handed it to the clerk. She didn't even blink, her expression utterly composed.

The associate couldn't hold back her surprise. "Oh, you’re the one paying?"

Arianna paused, looking back. "Is there a problem?"

"N-no, nothing."

The associate forced a strained laugh, her mind racing. *If she was the one with the money, why did I waste all that time pitching to the guy?* She snuck a look at Maxwell. He certainly looked the part of a high-status gentleman, but beneath her breath, she couldn't help but sneer: *Fancy suit, handsome face, and living off his wife's money. A total trophy husband.*

***

Back in the car, Arianna recalled the look on the saleswoman’s face. "That associate was looking at you very... strangely."

"Doesn't matter," Maxwell replied, unbothered. He leaned over and ruffled her hair. "Let her think whatever she wants. As long as Mrs. King is happy, that’s all that counts."

Before they had left today, Maxwell had personally supervised as she tucked that very card into her bag, strictly forbidding her from using her own.

As he’d put it: "Buying our rings is my job. It was my oversight that I only got you the diamond ring before, and I forgot you needed pieces for everyday wear. Give me the chance to make it up to you, Mrs. King."