[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-408":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},408,60,"Chapter 60: Three Minutes of Listening","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis Morgan had been by Cameron Hughes' side for so long, yet she had never seen him like this.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Whenever Arianna Stone’s name came up, he would smile. During their boys' nights, he’d drop his pool cue and leave without a second thought. At the time, Alexis convinced herself this was just a man’s need for conquest—that once the chase was over and the novelty wore off, he would snap out of it. After all, Cameron had never kept a girlfriend for longer than three months.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, after he \"conquered\" Arianna, they had been dating for over six months, and he was still head over heels.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis began to sense that something was wrong. She urged him to bring his girlfriend to meet the group, but Cameron shot the idea down, claiming Arianna was too busy with her internship and thesis. It wasn’t until later that Alexis realized he didn't dare tell Arianna that women were present at his social gatherings. Every time they met up, he came in secret.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis felt a creeping sense of panic. She began to annoy Cameron at every opportunity, specifically choosing the moments when she knew he was with Arianna, including birthdays and major holidays. Cameron was, by nature, a reliable friend; if a friend was truly in trouble, he would show up. Alexis relied on this, and it worked every single time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The first time she met Arianna, Alexis was predisposed to dislike her. Arianna was undeniably beautiful, with a personality that most people found magnetic. Alexis often thought that, had Arianna not been dating Cameron, they might have actually been friends. But, as it turned out, life had other plans.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But now, Alexis didn't care about any of that. Last night, Cameron had finally accepted her confession and agreed to be with her. That was enough. Everything else was irrelevant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her mind raced, buzzing with nervous energy. It wasn't until the first gray light of dawn that she finally curled up under her duvet and drifted into a shallow sleep.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was jolted awake less than two hours later by her phone ringing. When she saw the caller ID, her heart leaped into her throat. She pressed a hand to her chest, took a few deep breaths, and answered. \"Hello?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This was a fresh start. A brand new beginning for her and Cameron.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the other end, Cameron’s voice was raspy from sleep. \"Alexis... I’m sorry.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The apology hit her like a physical blow, leaving her stunned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I woke up, and with a clear head, I realized what happened last night. The way you looked then... it was so much like Arianna’s.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The day she agreed to date me, she was just as flushed, just as shy. So... forget everything I said last night. Don’t take it to heart.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alexis sat stiffly on her bed, her eyes losing their focus.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cameron’s final words hung in the air: \"I’ve always seen you as a friend, through all these years. I never imagined you felt this way.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It seems Arianna was right. She always had a problem with you being around, and it wasn’t without cause.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s stop seeing each other. I don’t want Arianna to get jealous.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The life had drained from Alexis' eyes. She stared at the phone screen, her voice trembling. \"Cameron, what do you mean by that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m going to win Arianna back.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as Maxwell King had predicted, the day Arianna arrived in Riverside, a steady drizzle began to fall, and the temperature plummeted. Arianna was relieved she had brought a coat, grateful that her work didn't require her to spend much time outdoors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Still, the days were miserable. The relentless rain drumming against her umbrella, paired with the slow progress at the office, left Arianna feeling frayed. For days, there hadn't been a glimpse of sunlight. The weather was as gloomy as her mood. She felt like she had drained every ounce of her energy, yet she forced herself to keep pushing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She spent her days navigating between the R&D and marketing departments. While she didn't have access to top-tier management, she did her best to compile a thorough risk assessment based on what she could gather—analyzing company history, patent leaks, and past market crashes that had forced them to pivot to their current business model. She even cross-referenced their weekly management training and monthly off-site workshops.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda Green flipped through the final report, unable to hide the look of surprise in her eyes. \"This is good. Really good.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I knew I hadn't misjudged you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she reached the last page, she looked up at Arianna. The comment she was about to make died on her lips. Instead, she pivoted, \"Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna lifted her porcelain-white face. \"I'm fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You’re deathly pale,\" Miranda mused, concerned. \"Have you been overworking yourself? Not getting enough sleep?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded. \"Maybe.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda checked her watch and made a split-second decision. \"It’s getting late anyway. Pack up and go back to the hotel. You’ve finished your tasks for today. Get some rest.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Tomorrow is the last day. We’ll have one final meeting at the office, and then we’re heading home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked, surprised. \"I thought we were going to be delayed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This company is in much better shape than our initial assessment,\" Miranda said with a smile. \"We can discuss the follow-up collaborations back in London. Our work here is done.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Arianna walked out of Miranda’s office, she nearly collided with Ivy Mitchell, a young woman from the R&D department. She had a gentle, lovely name. The two of them had interacted frequently over the past few days.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy gasped when she saw her. \"Are you okay? You look terrible.\" She glanced back toward the office, lowering her voice. \"Did you get chewed out?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna managed a faint smile. \"No, nothing like that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then what is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna frowned. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, only that her whole body felt heavy and ached in places she didn't know could ache. \"I think I’m just exhausted.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really?\" Ivy watched her expression carefully, then whispered, \"Is it... that time of the month?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna froze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How had she forgotten? So much had happened this month that her cycle had completely slipped her mind. Now that she thought about it, she was right on schedule.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Coincidentally, Ivy was currently on her period as well. Seeing Arianna’s ghostly pallor, she said, \"I think that’s it. Go to the restroom and check. It’s fine, I have pads in my bag.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come on, I’ll walk with you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they reached the restroom, Ivy stopped at the door, handing the sanitary pad to Arianna. She took Arianna’s purse from her hands. \"I’ll hold your bag. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She caught a glimpse of Arianna’s phone, hesitated for a second, but swallowed the impulse to say anything. She didn't want to overstep.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, sensing her hesitation, offered, \"Could you hold my phone too? Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy smiled. \"Sure, go ahead.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the silence of the waiting area, the phone buzzed once. It was a text. Ivy, respecting Arianna’s privacy, looked away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few seconds later, the phone began to ring. Ivy walked into the restroom, where the stalls were open, and called out, \"Arianna, your phone is ringing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Should I bring it to you, or do you want to call back when you’re done?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna replied, \"I'll be out in a second, I’ll return the call then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a beat, she asked, \"Who is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy hesitated. \"Is it okay if I look? I don't want to intrude.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna laughed weakly. \"It's fine, go ahead. Tell me who it is.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maxwell King. That's who it’s saved as.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The restroom seemed to go quiet for a heartbeat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm coming out now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy stood there patiently, waiting. The phone finished its first ring cycle. It began to ring a second time, but after a few seconds, it stopped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The door opened, and Arianna stepped out, her face deathly pale, one hand pressed firmly against her abdomen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy nodded, understanding. \"Did it start?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded. \"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is the cramping bad?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna bit her bloodless lips. \"A little.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You call that a little?\" Ivy said, a mix of concern and admiration. \"You look like a ghost. Let me take you back to the hotel.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt bad about the trouble. \"It’s alright, I can just catch a cab. It’s only a few minutes away.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy didn't push. \"Fine, but let me at least walk you down to the lobby.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't mention it. We're friends, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Over the last few days, Ivy had grown to love Arianna’s character—never arrogant, always meticulous, composed, and unfailingly polite. She was nothing like the entitled men from the local companies who used their position to bully them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Ivy helped her toward the elevator, she asked, \"Does it hurt this much every time? Do you have any painkillers?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Arianna said. \"There’s a drugstore by the hotel. I’ll pick some up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, good.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy felt like she had forgotten something. As the elevator descended, it suddenly hit her. She pulled the phone from her pocket and handed it over. \"Here’s your phone. I put it in my pocket so I wouldn't lose it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she handed the device over, Ivy froze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The screen was still lit up, displaying an active call. Beneath the contact name *Maxwell King*, the timer read—three minutes and twenty seconds.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ivy: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272907678]