[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-440":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},440,92,"Chapter 92: Caught Mid-Stride","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't understand why he had locked the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Facing her bewildered gaze, Maxwell remained perfectly calm. \"So no one else can come in,\" he explained. \"I need some peace and quiet to let my leg heal properly.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was obvious to anyone looking at the lounge from the outside whether it was occupied. If people saw someone was already in here, who would be so clueless as to barge in? Still, she didn't overthink it. Maxwell had always preferred his solitude; that was understandable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She helped him over to the sofa. \"Do you want some water? I can go pour you a glass.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No need,\" Maxwell replied, shifting his 'injured' leg with a deliberate, agonizing wince toward the right. \"Just sit here and keep me company for a bit, okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna did as she was told.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few moments later, Maxwell noticed her gaze fixed on his bandaged leg, her mind clearly elsewhere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After all, he was the one harboring a guilty secret.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell felt a prickle of nerves. \"What's wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Your leg...\" Arianna murmured.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His heart leaped into his throat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maybe you should go to the hospital and have it checked out properly?\" Her brow was furrowed, her expression filled with a genuine concern that cut straight to his core. \"You should ask a doctor what to do. You can't just let it drag on like this.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell chuckled softly. \"It's fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you sure?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell ruffled her hair, his voice softening. \"I'm sure. Sitting for a while is all it needs. It’s already feeling much better.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Is it?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was surprised. *Recovering this fast?* Was there some kind of magic in this sofa? One sit and he’s practically cured.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The lounge featured a massive floor-to-ceiling window. It was bright and spacious, offering a panoramic view of the entire first floor, including the grand ballroom below. The sofa was pressed right against the glass.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna looked down at the bustling scene. The crowd moved in a sea of silks and suits, clutching cocktails and wearing practiced, snake-like smiles. The power-players moved with effortless ease, while those lower on the ladder scurried about, watching every eye movement. It was the perfect illustration of how money and status dictated the rhythm of the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had almost forgotten that she was sitting next to a man who stood at the absolute pinnacle of that very food chain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Amidst the crowd, Arianna spotted a familiar figure. She pointed him out to Maxwell. \"Look, isn't that your friend?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer Miller was standing near the fountain, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a phone, scanning the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell gave a cursory glance and hummed in agreement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is he looking for you?\" Arianna asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell instinctively reached for his own phone. It was black. He pressed the power button, but the screen remained dark.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna watched him. \"Is your battery dead?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Considering Maxwell had twisted his ankle and his mobility was limited, Arianna stood up from the sofa, volunteering, \"I'll go get him for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could reach the door, Maxwell lunged out, snagging her sleeve. \"Wait, don't. You don't have to.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He couldn't have her leaving the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna turned back, confused. \"Hm?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell licked his lips, trying to negotiate. \"Could I borrow your phone? I need to give him a call.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna didn't hesitate. She pulled her phone from her bag and handed it to him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Drawing from his memory, Maxwell dialed the number. He watched from above as Spencer picked up the phone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell spoke without a hint of politeness. \"What do you want?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the other end, Spencer sounded stunned. \"Maxwell? Did you change your number?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell brushed it off. \"Why are you calling me constantly? If you have something to say, spit it out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Spencer was baffled. \"How did you know I was calling your sister?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't have anything to add, I just wanted to ask if she’s coming to the party.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where the hell are you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damn, how are you seeing—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While he was on the phone, Arianna had fetched two bottles of water. She had noticed his dry lips earlier, unsure if it was from pain or something else. She twisted off the cap and handed him a bottle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell, still caught in an awkward silence, took it naturally. \"Thanks.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna paused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For no reason, a memory flashed in her mind—something he had said earlier:\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*\"If you say 'thank you,' you have to kiss me.\"*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*\"And what if you say it?\"*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*\"Then I'll kiss you.\"*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt like she’d been burned. She hurriedly pulled her hand back. \"You're... you're welcome.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell processed what had happened a second too late. \"Wait, did I just say 'thank you'?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah,\" Arianna said, twisting open her own bottle and taking a long, desperate gulp, hoping to douse the heat rising in her chest. \"It’s fine, don't worry about it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell disagreed. \"We established the rules, and we have to stick to them.\" He sounded incredibly committed to the contract. \"I can't be a rule-breaker.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Actually, you really don't have to.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And, she couldn't help but point out, \"I don't think I ever actually agreed to that rule, so there's nothing to break.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell looked up, staring directly into her eyes with a glint of playful mischief. \"You didn't agree?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Exactly.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But you didn't say anything at the time,\" Maxwell said, looking at her with a feigned, pitiful expression. \"I thought your silence meant you agreed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt a headache brewing. *What is he doing now?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She knew she couldn't handle that vulnerable, puppy-dog look. Maxwell seemed to know exactly which buttons to press.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He lowered his gaze, his voice barely a whisper. \"So you didn't agree. I guess I misunderstood you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing him look so dejected, Arianna couldn't find it in her heart to be firm. Her rebuttal faltered, softening into, \"...It's not that I disagree.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So that means you agree?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wanted to say that didn't mean she agreed, either.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But under his expectant, glowing gaze, she hesitated and eventually, reluctantly, gave a tiny nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s eyes brightened instantly. They looked like stars in the night, or the reflection of the moon shimmering on a lake—dazzling enough to make someone lose their way.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But Arianna quickly gave herself an out. \"But not now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She gestured toward his foot. \"You twisted your ankle. We can save the kiss for when you're better.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...No, that wasn't right. Just, whenever he's better.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna had tripped over her own words again. Now, she felt even less capable of facing him and started wishing she could just make a run for it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Fortunately, Maxwell remained nonchalant. \"Fine, then I'll just keep it as an I.O.U. We'll do it later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was the one who was supposedly injured, so why was she the one who couldn't look him in the eye? Arianna wondered, genuinely confused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They stayed in the lounge for a long time. So long, in fact, that she thought they might end up spending the entire night there.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Afraid she was bored, she asked if there was anything he wanted to eat, offering to go down and get it or have the staff bring it up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell refused every suggestion. He wouldn't let her leave his side for even a second. It wasn't through any forceful display; whenever Arianna moved—especially when she looked like she was heading for the door—he would just look at her with that abandoned, lost-puppy expression. \"Where are you going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna sighed, shaking her cup. \"Just getting some hot water. Do you want some?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell took the cup from her and stood up from the sofa, his movement entirely fluid, and said in his usual gentle tone, \"You just sit and rest. I'll go get it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He walked a few steps before the realization hit him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room fell into a dead silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He turned his head to find Arianna staring at his feet, her eyes wide with total shock. \"Are you better already?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't know why, but you seem to be walking faster than you were before!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909513]