[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-405":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},405,57,"Chapter 57: I’m the One Who’s Clingy","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah Carter stared at him in stunned silence, his mouth agape, forgetting even to chew the slice of watermelon in his mouth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis Morgan was equally rattled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell King married to Arianna Stone? The very thought sounded like a fever dream.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In her mind, they were two people who moved in entirely different orbits. Putting aside their family backgrounds—where Maxwell was leagues above anyone in this room—how did a woman like Arianna even enter the picture?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, looking at the raw, agonizing frustration on Cameron Hughes’s face, she was forced to accept the reality:\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had indeed married Arianna.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And from the looks of it, they were sickeningly happy, with no sign of a divorce on the horizon.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Why?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How could a woman like Arianna land such a golden goose after dumping Cameron?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis took a long, steadying breath, suppressing the venom rising in her throat. She patted Cameron on the shoulder. \"Forget it, man. It’s just Arianna. You want me to set you up with someone else next week?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cameron was a storm cloud of misery, his expression dark enough to kill. He didn’t even register a word Alexis said. All he could hear was the way Maxwell had cooed \"Arianna\" into the phone moments ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That nickname. It used to belong to him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Out in the hallway, Maxwell held his phone to his ear, his voice softened to a whisper. \"Arianna?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh?\" Arianna blinked, pulling the phone away to double-check the caller ID. \"Sorry, wrong number. I was trying to call Miranda...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't care about the slip-up. \"Did you have dinner?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Not yet. I was just about to head out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Good.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Silence stretched between them until Arianna broke it. \"What about you? What are you up to?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell chuckled, giving her a play-by-play. \"I’m still out. I’m at Julian Adams’s restaurant—the food is incredible. We should come here together sometime.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ve finished up, though. Heading home now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna listened patiently. \"Drive safe, then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I will,\" Maxwell promised. \"It’s getting late. Go get something to eat.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">---\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hanging up, Maxwell strolled back into the ballroom with effortless grace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under the gaze of the entire room, he curled his lips into a faint, indulgent smile. \"Excuse me, everyone. My wife is demanding I come home. We’ll have to catch up another time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Someone in the crowd jeered playfully.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I didn’t realize Mrs. King was so clingy, Maxwell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She is,\" Maxwell replied, unbothered. \"But honestly? We’re both pretty clingy. If anything, I’m the one who’s worse.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room went dead silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mrs. King is truly blessed to have married a man as accomplished as you, Maxwell,\" a guest chimed in with a forced laugh. \"I was actually going to introduce my sister to you yesterday—she’s been a fan of yours for years. Seems she’s missed her chance.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s eyes warmed with a genuine, gentle light.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, it’s my blessing,\" he said softly. \"Marrying her is the honor of my life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The guest’s smile faltered, replaced by a series of frantic, sycophantic nods. \"Right, right. Of course. A fortunate man indeed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The curiosity in the room was now a physical weight. Who was this woman who had managed to tame the untouchable head of King Enterprises? How was she keeping him on such a short leash, to the point where he couldn't stand to hear a single word against her?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A bolder soul decided to push their luck. \"Maxwell, when are you going to bring your wife out? Let us all meet her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s response was immediate. \"She’s busy with work. She doesn't have time for social calls.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">---\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the ride back, Spencer Miller drummed his fingers against the seat armrest, unable to resist a jab. \"Was it really work, or are you just terrified of bringing her out around all these men?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s the matter? Scared someone’s going to snatch her up?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell leaned back, his eyes closed, his expression masked in exhaustion. He didn’t reply.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the span of a few seconds, Spencer’s imagination had already spiraled into a hundred different, sordid scenarios. \"Don’t tell me you’re actually planning to keep her hidden away like a trophy?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell draped his arm over his brow, his voice lazy and raspy. \"I’d like to. But she wouldn't have it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damn,\" Spencer hissed. \"Are you always this unhinged? Don't make me call your sister on you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Childish.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell couldn’t be bothered to trade barbs with such an amateur. It was a drain on his IQ.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He straightened up, his eyes cold and clear. \"I’m joking.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer looked at him and felt a chill. That didn't sound like a joke at all.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I just don't see the point in her being around those people,\" Maxwell added. \"It’s unnecessary.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer blinked. \"How is it unnecessary?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What is the point for her?\" Maxwell challenged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I bring her out just to stroke my own ego, or to satisfy the idle curiosity of people who want to see what kind of wife I picked out? It would just make her the main course of their dinner-party gossip.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"At the end of the day, what does she gain from it? Absolutely nothing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer stared at him, momentarily speechless. Finally, he gave a slow, begrudging thumbs-up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You win. Don’t ever ask me for relationship advice again. You’re the master here. I’m clearly the one who needs to take notes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">---\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back home, Maxwell went upstairs for a shower. Wrapped in a towel, he sent a text to Arianna. When he saw she was free, he initiated a video call.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He hadn't seen her all day.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He missed her.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272907609]