[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-433":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},433,85,"Chapter 85: \"You Were Hiding in the Kitchen?\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Honestly,\" Gemma Bennett said, analyzing the situation with a serious look, \"he clearly likes you. Why else would he accept your flowers? And actually go to the restaurant you picked? He hasn't turned down a single thing you've asked for.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna Stone fell silent for a few seconds. \"Is there a possibility, maybe, that since we're married, he just feels too awkward to say no?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Besides,\" Arianna added, \"he’s a naturally kind person with high social intelligence. He wouldn’t want to embarrass me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma looked stumped. \"Fair enough. That does make sense.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right?\" Arianna quipped, though a strange, hollow sense of disappointment settled in her chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they chatted, Gemma suddenly remembered something. \"Oh, by the way... has Cameron Hughes been bothering you lately?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Arianna replied instinctively.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few seconds later, she realized her mistake. She lifted her gaze to lock eyes with her friend. \"He’s been bothering you, hasn't he?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, not at all,\" Gemma said, flashing a gentle, unconvincing smile. \"Do you really think he would? Why would he bother me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her eyes darted away, refusing to meet Arianna’s steady stare. She busied herself with the grill tongs, frantically flipping the food as if her life depended on it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna knew the truth immediately.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Gemma, the tongs are going to char at this rate.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\" Gemma sighed. \"Fine. Honestly, he didn't say much. He just kept asking where you were. I didn't tell him, and he wouldn't stop pestering me to put him in touch with you. Eventually, I just told him off.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She said it lightly, as if it were nothing. But Arianna knew better; things were rarely that simple when it came to him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the worry on her friend's face, Gemma quickly shifted to comfort her. \"Don't worry, it's over now. I promise. If he tries to corner me again, I’ll just call the police—or at least threaten to.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded in agreement. \"That should work. He’s incredibly obsessed with his reputation. The moment he hears the word 'police,' he’ll scurry away.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma fell silent for a beat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Obsessed with his reputation, right?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The old Cameron Hughes had treated his social standing like a religion. But lately?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">An image of him from that day flashed in her mind: dark, heavy circles under his eyes, his chin covered in thick stubble, looking completely disheveled and hollowed out. He looked as if he’d aged five years overnight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maybe the current Cameron Hughes didn't care about his image anymore.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Anyway, let’s stop talking about him,\" Gemma said, smoothly changing the subject. \"Let’s talk about something fun. How’s work going? You won’t believe the bizarre antics my boss pulled today...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two of them spent the afternoon wandering through the shops and grabbing bites to eat. Around nine o'clock, Arianna sent her location to Maxwell King, just as they had agreed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she left the house, Maxwell had insisted that if she was out late, she had to message him so he could pick her up. When she’d asked him what counted as \"late,\" he’d thought about it seriously and decided that anything after seven o'clock qualified.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna and Gemma were sitting at a tea shop on the corner. The humid summer night air clung to them, but the chilled milk tea—packed with chewy boba and coconut jelly—made the heat bearable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They were idly watching the street when a black Bentley pulled up to the curb. Its sharp, aggressive lines were impossible to miss, commanding attention instantly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nudged Gemma. \"What are you staring at? Let’s go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma gazed at the high-end luxury vehicle, her jaw slightly unhinged. \"Is... is that the husband you were talking about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna smiled. \"That's the one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma took a massive gulp of her milk tea, chewing frantically, before giving her a thumbs-up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She’d known Arianna was married to some big-shot businessman—she’d caught glimpses of their home’s opulent decor in the background of Arianna’s selfies—but seeing the disparity in their worlds hit her like a physical blow. When she caught a glimpse of the man behind the wheel, she couldn't help but gasp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Maxwell made a brief phone call, Gemma pulled Arianna aside, whispering urgently, \"You’re not pulling my leg, are you? That’s really your husband? You didn't just hire some male model to play the part, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't help but laugh. \"Why would I do that? What would be the point?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't know,\" Gemma blurted out. \"Maybe your husband is just an introvert and hates being seen in public, so you grabbed a model to fill in for him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna knew she was joking. \"…How could that possibly be?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna pulled her back over to introduce them, handing Maxwell the extra cup of tea she’d ordered. He took it, a faint smirk playing on his lips. \"Is this for me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*What else would it be for?* Arianna nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell brushed the back of his hand against the condensation on her cup. He frowned, his tone laced with gentle frustration. \"You're drinking cold tea again?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna countered, \"Why shouldn't I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You had two popsicles before you even left the house. How much cold stuff do you think your body can handle in a single day?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at him, stunned. \"How did you know about the popsicles?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't break character, his expression perfectly calm. \"I was in the kitchen when you were sneaking them out. I didn't want to startle you, so I didn't say anything.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Awkward.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ever since her last period had left her writhing in agony, Maxwell had made her promise to limit herself to one frozen treat a day and cut back on iced coffee and ice cream. She had agreed, thinking she was being discreet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Caught red-handed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s not that I want to stop you from having treats, but too much cold is bad for your digestion,\" he murmured.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know,\" Arianna said, deciding to bargain with him now that she’d been exposed. \"I’ll try to be more careful, but I really have to finish this milk tea. It would be a waste if I didn't.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her transparent attempt at negotiation was written all over her face. Maxwell let out a soft chuckle, choosing not to call her out. His eyes, however, betrayed the depths of his affection. \"Fine. See that you keep your word.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma stood by, completely dumbfounded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Who on earth is in love with whom?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This wasn't just him being \"too polite to refuse.\" This was blatant, undeniable adoration! And the dense blockhead in front of her still didn't realize it?!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But then again, was Maxwell always this easy to bribe?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As someone who had devoured hundreds of romance novels, Gemma felt a twinge of \"get-it-together\" frustration. *Where are your boundaries, man? Can’t you stick to the rules you set? If she doesn't listen, just kiss her! A real, earth-shattering, toe-curling kiss!*\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909041]