Arianna couldn't help but laugh. "It’s not him. That was just…"

She paused, then decided to be blunt. "That’s my ex-boyfriend. We have absolutely nothing to do with each other now."

Miranda Green patted her chest, letting out a small, audible sigh of relief. Thank goodness it wasn't him. Miranda prided herself on being a good judge of character, and that man just… he wasn't exactly husband material. He had the distinct vibe of someone who’d emotionally neglect his wife while keeping a mistress on the side.

Afterward, Miranda probed for details, eventually learning that Arianna’s husband was a high-powered CEO.

"Then your husband will be at the industry summit next week, right?"

"What?"

Miranda looked surprised. "Did Charlotte not tell you? The consumer goods industry summit this Saturday. Beyond the usual industry experts, they’re bringing in some major heavyweights from the finance world. Our director already put in an application; he says it’s a goldmine for networking."

Later that afternoon, Arianna confirmed the news. Charlotte Marshall had every intention of taking her along.

A colleague wailed, "Charlotte! Why aren't you taking me? I want to go too! You're being so cold, so cruel, so unreasonable!"

Charlotte shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Did I not take you to last year’s seminar and the forum? The list is limited this year. I’m taking our newcomer to broaden her horizons."

"If you’re that desperate to go, I’ll take you to the next one—provided you write me a ten-thousand-word report when we get back."

The colleague went silent.

"Ha! I was just kidding, Charlotte. Why are you being so serious?"

Charlotte just gave her a dismissive, "Hmph."

...

That afternoon, Arianna surreptitiously probed Maxwell for his schedule.

Arianna: [What are you doing? Are you busy?]

Maxwell replied instantly: [Not busy.]

Arianna asked with calculated nonchalance: [Do you have any time this Saturday?]

Maxwell: [Why?]

Arianna: [Nothing major, just asking.]

She waited for a few minutes. He was likely checking his calendar.

[There’s an industry summit on Saturday, but it’s optional. If you have plans, I can turn it down.]

Arianna’s heart skipped a beat. [Don't turn it down! You should go. I told you, it’s not a big deal.]

She couldn't exactly tell him that she planned on ambushing him there, could she?

Maxwell smiled, the corner of his lip curling as he typed slowly: [And what instructions does Mrs. King have for me then?]

Arianna scrambled to come up with a halfway-believable excuse. Finally, she settled on something appropriately regretful. [I was just hoping we could catch a movie together.]

[Since you have plans, never mind.]

She reread the message twice to make sure it sounded perfectly disappointed. She was still going to keep the summit a total surprise.

Arianna: [Let’s find another time to go.]

[That won't be necessary, Arianna. Whenever you want to watch a movie, we can.]

Arianna was confused: [What do you mean?]

A moment later, her phone buzzed against the desk. It was a call from Maxwell. She hit mute and ducked into the hallway by the window.

His low, resonant voice filled her ear. "Did Mrs. King forget that we have a private cinema in our home?"

Arianna: "..."

She had completely forgotten. The home theater was brand new and hadn't been used yet.

Arianna felt a spark of excitement. "Can we watch one tonight then?"

"Of course," Maxwell chuckled. "What kind of movie do you want?"

"I’ll pick the movie, you just have to sit there and watch it with me," she insisted.

"Deal."

Maxwell sat at his desk, staring at a stack of documents, a fountain pen held motionless in his fingers. He listened intently to Arianna’s voice. His fingers were long and lean, the faint veins standing out against his pale skin—a sight that, in the high-stakes atmosphere of his office, was inexplicably and dangerously seductive.

He smiled to himself, his expression softening. "If we're watching a movie tonight, what snacks do you want? Chips? Bread? Beef jerky? Dried fruit...?"

Spencer Miller walked in to pick up some files, stopping dead the moment he heard that list. He shot Maxwell a look of pure disbelief before leaning over to drape an arm around Cole Parker’s shoulders. "What is your boss doing? Is the peacock showing off his feathers again?"

Cole Parker let out a strained, dry laugh.

Spencer looked at him with profound sympathy. "Honestly, having to deal with a boss like this—not your fault, man. You’ve been through a lot, Assistant Parker."

Cole Parker pretended he couldn't hear a word, choosing to stare fixedly at the ceiling. His survival instinct was at an all-time high.

Arianna started rattling off a list of snacks, and she heard Maxwell ask, "You only want tomato and lime chips? How about the sea salt and black pepper or the eel-flavored ones we tried last time? Should I get those too?"

Arianna was stunned by his memory. "Sure, get two bags of each."

"Milk tea?"

Arianna’s eyes crinkled. "Yes, please!"

"Milk tea or fruit tea?"

"Hmm... let me think."

Maxwell took the decision out of her hands. "I'll get both. We can take our time drinking them. I'll head to the shop in a bit and send you a photo of the menu so you can pick."

"Okay."

—

King Enterprises.

Spencer Miller flipped through a file while asking, "What were you two doing in that private booth last night? Julian Adams said you came out with a grin so wide it looked like your face was going to crack."

The memory hit Maxwell instantly—the warmth of her in his arms, the shy kiss that had just barely grazed his cheek.

Maxwell’s lips tugged upward. "My wife confessed to me."

Cole Parker: ...That’s certainly one way to put it.

Spencer, a veteran of the dating scene, didn't even flinch. "I can tell. You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? Just spent the whole night glowing?"

Maxwell didn't answer.

Not answering was as good as a confession.

Spencer scoffed. "Pathetic."

Maxwell: "You’re so successful, then. Where’s your wife?"

Spencer shot up from his chair, pointing an accusatory finger. "Hey! No need to make it personal!"

Maxwell glanced at him coldly. "I haven't settled the score with you over the Cameron Hughes situation."

"That really wasn't my fault! I didn't invite him. He got the ticket from Julian Adams, and Julian didn't know the backstory, so he handed it over." Spencer shrank back, admitting, "Fine, I was negligent. I almost ruined your night."

Maxwell looked down, searching for something on his phone.

A moment later, Spencer asked casually, "So... what has Vivienne King been up to lately?"

Maxwell gave a knowing, mocking smirk. "So that’s the real reason you’re here." He knew Spencer wouldn't come by in person for a simple file.

"What is she doing? Is she busy? Why isn't she replying to my messages?"

"No idea." Maxwell grabbed his phone and car keys, heading for the door. "Go ask her yourself."

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"To buy my wife some milk tea."

Spencer: "............"

Cole Parker looked at him with an expression that clearly said, "You have my deepest sympathies, Mr. Miller."