[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-443":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},443,95,"Chapter 95: Not So Much the Gentleman","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Why?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't even explain it herself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She glared at him fiercely, acting the part of the unreasonable tyrant. \"No reason. Just stop smiling.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine,\" Maxwell replied, perfectly compliant. \"No more smiling.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Despite his words, the smirk on his lips didn't vanish. If anything, the amusement in his eyes only deepened.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She pressed her fingertip against the corner of his mouth, a faint flush creeping up her fair cheeks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're still doing it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell caught her hand, kneading her fingers in his palm with a placating tone. \"How about you show some mercy, Mrs. King, and let me off the hook just this once?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He added, \"Only for tonight, alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna puffed out her cheeks, exhaling a frustrated breath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I just kissed the wrong spot, is that really so funny?\" she muttered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell froze for a split second. \"That's not why I'm laughing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then... why?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because Mrs. King just confessed to me,\" he said, the look in his eyes softening into something deeply affectionate. \"I never dared to dream of this day—you actually saying you like me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Was it really that hard to imagine?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Plenty of people liked him; she was hardly the only one.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Still, it was a relief to know he wasn't laughing at her clumsy slip-up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So that's what you were laughing about,\" Arianna said, deciding to be magnanimous. She tugged at his finger and tilted her chin, gesturing toward the road. \"Alright, let go. The light is turning green in ten seconds.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"No rush. Give it five more seconds.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they pulled into the garage, Arianna glanced out the window, a sudden, vivid memory of that near-loss of control in the private booth flashing through her mind. That hadn't been the \"real\" Maxwell she thought she knew.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Or, perhaps, that *was* the real Maxwell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna retracted her foot from the car door and turned to face him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell raised an eyebrow. \"Hmm?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna finally voiced the question that had been eating at her all evening: \"Maxwell, have you always... played the 'good guy' around me? Is that it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s gaze flickered, though he quickly regained his composure. He tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, his response smooth and effortless. \"Why call it 'playing'? Why couldn't I just be a naturally well-behaved person?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wasn't buying it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"In any case, there was an element of performance, wasn't there?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing there was no escaping the truth, Maxwell hummed in agreement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why?\" Arianna asked, baffled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A tender, knowing smile played in his eyes. \"Because I knew that’s what you would like.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna went silent for a long moment, taking a deep breath and studying him closely before finally popping the car door open and heading inside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She left him with nothing but a cool, detached view of her back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell, however, read exactly what her expression meant: *Oh, very clever. You were hiding it so well, and yet I still managed to sniff it out.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A low, pleased chuckle echoed through the quiet interior of the car.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna barely slept that night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as she finished her shower and slipped into her pajamas, she couldn't wait to jump on her phone and fill her friend in on the latest developments.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: [Oh my god! Gemma! I confessed to Maxwell!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma Bennett: [AHHHHH! Tell me everything! Don't leave out a single detail!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna typed out a quick recap of the evening's events.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even through the screen, she could feel Gemma’s excitement vibrating.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma Bennett: [Oh my god! This is literally a top-tier romance novel! That means he likes you back, right?!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before Arianna could finish typing her reply, another message popped up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[Girl, don't even doubt it! He is absolutely, 100% into you! His ex-boyfriend shows up to knock on the door and he basically has a nervous breakdown? That man is a walking vat of vinegar right now!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[Did you notice any signs before this? Come on, spill!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna thought back to their recent interactions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth: [I don't think so. He was so obvious tonight—the fake twisted ankle, not letting me leave—that was the only reason I figured it out.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[He’s just a naturally kind person, and he’s always treated me well. I really couldn't tell when it shifted into actual feelings.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma was practically cooing with maternal pride, clutching her chest. [My heavens, what a divine stroke of fate.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[When is the universe going to grant me a high-quality man, too?]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: [Sending you flowers.jpg]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma turned the chat window into a wishing well: [I don't even have high standards. Just 6'0\"+, an eight-pack, V-lines, good-looking, long legs, boss-level energy, and someone who would just pin me to the bed if I don't listen to him.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: […And what exactly would he be doing if you \"don't listen to him\"?]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma Bennett: [Like when he tries to buy me luxury bags and I refuse to spend his money.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: [Why are you being so greedy and grabbing stuff at the same time…]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma Bennett: [So, what kind of 'boss' are you into?]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A moment later, Gemma followed up: [Wait, never mind, I forgot you have a living, breathing example right there. You like the 'refined gentleman' types, right? Otherwise, you would've never fallen for Maxwell.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She followed up with a \"Total Fangirl\" sticker.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Staring at those words, Arianna couldn't help but recall the kiss in the private booth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had pinned her hands against the door, leaning down to press his body against hers, his tongue tracing her lips before forcing them apart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The knocking on the door had been relentless, and his kiss had only grown deeper and more demanding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her tongue had been numb, his lips grinding against hers—he’d been so crazed, it was as if he wanted to consume her whole.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There hadn't been a single trace of a \"refined gentleman\" in that moment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt a pang of guilt and left the message unread for a while.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Gemma sensed the hesitation through the silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[No way, sister, I think I just stumbled upon a massive secret! Is Maxwell not the 'refined gentleman' type after all?]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[Is he actually a 'black-hearted wolf' hidden behind a 'pure puppy' exterior? The kind with insane possessiveness who would break the bed frame in a heartbeat?!]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s eyelids twitched, and she slammed the chat window closed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Can’t see it… didn’t see it.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had seen absolutely nothing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day at the office, during lunch, Arianna heard Diana James gossiping. \"Hey, did you hear? Jenna Lawson quit.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked in surprise. \"Why?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diana leaned in, whispering, \"I only heard rumors, but apparently, ever since she got assigned to the new project, the senior staff in the group haven't been happy with her. How did they put it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, right. 'Useless at everything, first in line to take credit.'\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It finally blew up and reached Miranda's desk. Miranda tried to give her the benefit of the doubt since she’s a rookie, so she just let it slide.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But word just got out—she plagiarized someone else's project proposal. It was only discovered because two department heads were discussing their upcoming offline events and realized the locations and marketing strategies were identical. They looked into it, and boom, they found out Jenna had lifted the entire thing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Before that, everything was handled through internal messaging, and since they were in different groups, nobody noticed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna pondered this for a few seconds. \"Did Miranda force her to resign?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Probably. But it’s better than being outright fired. If it goes on her permanent record, she's never going to find another job.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After lunch, Arianna found a quiet moment to pull Diana aside and tell her the news about being married.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diana’s reaction was just as dramatic as Gemma's. \"Oh my god! Are you serious? You're actually married?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded with a smile. \"I am.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait,\" Diana paused, her face falling as a thought occurred to her. \"Don't tell me it’s that guy who kept pestering you at that street-food spot the other day.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909606]