[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-434":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},434,86,"Chapter 86: Bragging About My Wife","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna turned her head only to see Gemma Bennett, her face flushed with excitement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna paused, blinked, and asked, \"What are you doing?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma bit her lip, frantically trying to suppress whatever wild fantasy was playing out in her head. \"N-nothing. Nothing at all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let's go. I'll drop you off.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, no,\" Gemma refused, waving her hands dismissively. \"There’s a subway station right there. I’ll just take the train; it stops right by my front door.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wouldn't have it. \"I can drive you straight to your front door, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\" Fearing she would derail the couple's progress, Gemma bolted toward the subway entrance. \"I’m serious, I’m fine! We’ll catch up later—and remember, you owe me a full report! Don't you dare forget!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stood there, speechless.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Watching Gemma disappear down the subway stairs, Arianna turned back and pulled the car door open. \"I guess we’re heading back, then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A warm, velvety voice dropped from above her. \"Reporting what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s hand froze on the door handle. Her heart gave a violent, heavy thud.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell King leaned one hand against the car frame, effectively caging her in against his chest. He lowered his gaze to meet hers. \"Hmm? Mrs. King, what exactly are you reporting to her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The street was quiet, save for the hum of the shops still open for business, casting a glow that turned the sidewalk as bright as day. Trapped in that narrow, quiet corner, Arianna felt engulfed by his crisp, clean scent. Her heart was racing like a drum.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell looked down at her, his expression lazy and unbothered, his gaze drifting slowly from her eyes down to her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s eyelids twitched. Afraid he might actually try to kiss her right there, she pushed lightly against his chest and whispered, \"Let's... let's get in the car first.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched her for a moment longer, then let out a low chuckle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stepped back, pulled the passenger door open for her, and handed her his bubble tea.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna reached for it, but he pulled back at the last second, his eyes crinkling as he teased, \"You aren’t allowed to drink this. You bought it for me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In reality, he was just worried about her drinking too much cold liquid.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was both stunned and amused. \"Maxwell, are you being serious right now? That’s so childish.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Doesn't matter. That cup is mine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're a child!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they were in the car, Maxwell didn't pull away immediately. His pale, lean wrists rested lazily on the steering wheel, the black-and-white contrast creating an aura of restrained desire. He leaned back, tilting his head to look at her with an amused, watchful gaze. He hadn't let it go. \"Arianna, what are you reporting?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How was he still hung up on that? Was he actually going to make a scene out of this?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She chewed on a tapioca pearl, fumbling for a lie. \"We... we have an agreement to share updates on our work.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't even work at the same company.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna kept her expression perfectly blank. \"True, but we can still strive for collective progress.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell turned his head to hide a smile, pretending he didn't see through her pathetic excuse. \"You know, you’re allowed to share our daily life with your friends, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna whipped her head around to look at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s expression was earnest, as if he were genuinely offering a suggestion, without a hint of irony. He even added, \"I share our daily life with my friends all the time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh?\" Arianna looked surprised. \"Our stuff? Like what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Things like when we went to the Wildlife Kingdom, our trip to Wonder Gardens, the flowers and cake you got for me, or the restaurants you booked.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna found herself at a loss for words. Was he sure that was \"sharing\" and not \"showing off\"?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And your friends... what do they say?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He’s very happy for me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna remained skeptical. \"Is that so?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell said it with total confidence. \"He probably feels happy just seeing how happy we are.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Was that really it? Why did something feel so off about that?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Midway home, Maxwell took a call. After a brief conversation, he turned to Arianna. \"Are you free tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Tomorrow was Sunday. Arianna had originally planned to spend the entire day rotting in bed at home. Hearing the question, she instinctively answered, \"I’m free. Why?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell asked in a measured, calm tone, \"Would you like to accompany me to a gala tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A gala?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes,\" Maxwell said patiently. \"Would you be willing?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell smiled, then turned back to the phone. \"Alright, see you tomorrow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">From the other end of the line, Spencer Miller’s shocked voice echoed through the car. \"You actually had to ask your wife before you decided to go to a gala?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I didn't 'have' to ask,\" Maxwell corrected, his mood visibly brightened. \"I invited my wife to accompany me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer was beyond baffled. \"It’s just a gala. If she doesn't go, does that mean you aren't going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell sounded even more reasonable. \"If my wife isn't going, what’s the point of me going alone?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That made sense. It made perfect sense!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Being single in the middle of the night clearly made you an easier target for emotional collateral damage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The call was hung up without a shred of mercy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna realized too late that she might have agreed a little too quickly. She wasn't at all prepared for a gala. She had just wanted to spend more time with Maxwell and had agreed in a daze. Hearing him refer to her as \"my wife\"—it was impossible to deny how happy it made her. It felt like a stone being dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading in every direction.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt the corners of her lips lift. She turned to look out the window, pretending to be nonchalant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A moment later, she remembered something. \"The gala tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell, busy navigating the traffic, replied, \"Yes, what about it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I haven't picked out an outfit yet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s fine,\" Maxwell said, looking cheerful. His lips were curved upward, and his tone remained gentle. \"Do you have anything in mind that you want to wear?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If not, we can do the same as last time. Leave it to me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they had first started seeing each other, they attended a gala together for the first time. The outfit and shoes he had prepared for her had been flawless. She trusted him, but...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna hesitated. \"I have a gown, but I'm not sure if it’s appropriate for that kind of event.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It doesn't matter. Just be comfortable.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They hit a red light, and the car came to a stop. Maxwell’s slender wrists rested on the wheel as he tilted his head to look at her. The neon lights outside the window carved his features into a sharp, deep-set silhouette.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He wore a languid, satisfied smile. \"Arianna, you’re so beautiful that you don't need to pick an outfit. You could wear anything, and you’d still look stunning.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In that instant, looking into his serious eyes, Arianna felt her pulse spiral completely out of control.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909053]