[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-445":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},445,97,"Chapter 97: How to Dig Your Own Grave in Five Seconds","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna Stone had barely walked through the door after work when she was greeted by a massive bag of snacks, iced boba tea complete with pearls and coconut jelly, and a fresh bouquet of flowers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The snack pantry was stocked to the brim, and the dining table held a steaming, gourmet spread. The aroma of a home-cooked feast filled the living room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna cradled the gardenias in her arms, her eyes crinkling as she looked at Maxwell King. \"What’s the occasion for the flowers?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She asked, even though she knew the answer. \"Is it some kind of special day?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell curved his lips into a smile, playing along perfectly. \"It’s the grand opening of our home theater. And the day we’re finally going to watch our first movie together.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but they had been married for quite a while without ever actually sitting down for a movie night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where did you get these?\" Arianna asked, looking up at him. \"Did you have to go far out of your way?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Not at all. Right outside the office, next to that boba shop you like. A new flower boutique just opened up.\" He added with a grin, \"If you ever want specific flowers, just text me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Got it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell had left the office early today, bringing some of his work home to finish up. After dinner, Arianna headed upstairs, showered, and changed into comfortable pajamas before wandering toward the study.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The door was left ajar. One gentle push was all it took.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was leaning back in his office chair, his sharp features illuminated by the desk lamp. He wore a familiar pair of gold-rimmed glasses, the delicate chain dangling by his ear, swaying slightly as he looked up. His hair was still damp from his own shower, and tiny droplets caught the light like scattered diamonds.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Give me a second. I just need to clear these few emails, and then we’re off to the movies.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s eyes softened. \"No rush. Take your time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There were two identical desks in the study, one of which was Arianna’s, though she had never actually used it. She usually preferred the spacious, bright living room, curling up in the deep, plush sofa.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she sat down, she realized she had been missing out. The desk faced a massive floor-to-ceiling window, offering a view of the garden below, where flowers bloomed in vibrant, chaotic colors along the winding paths. It was a visual feast.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Maxwell’s long, defined fingers flying across the keyboard, the tendons on the back of his hands shifting with every motion. The room carried a faint, calming scent of printer ink. Her restlessness began to settle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A while later, feeling bored, she went to her room to grab her laptop, deciding to keep him company. Earlier that afternoon, she had asked Miranda Green for movie recommendations. A long, scrolling list had just arrived in her inbox.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was notoriously indecisive. After staring at the titles for ages, she couldn't pick one. She typed back: *Out of all these, which one is your absolute favorite?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda didn't hesitate: *Numbers 2, 3, and 11 are non-negotiable!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">To avoid any awkward surprises, Arianna quickly looked them up. The blurbs revealed they were all films featuring the same lead actor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna understood: *Found a new celebrity crush, have we?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda sent back a shy emoji: *Hehe! He’s just so incredibly handsome! And his acting? Phenomenal. He pulls off every character effortlessly. Especially that romance film—he brought the character of Julian to life so perfectly!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*I’m not even kidding, after watching that movie, I felt like I was actually going through a breakup. I’ve been surviving on his photos alone.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna chuckled: *You’re being dramatic.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda: *Am not! It’s his fault for being that perfect. Half our team is obsessed with him now. I’m sending you some photos—I guarantee you’ll be head-over-heels in a second.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A wave of fan-service photos hit her screen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Midway through, Maxwell stood up to pour some water, placing a glass on her desk. His gaze flicked toward her screen—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the chat window, there was a photo of a man in a high-neck autumn sweater, leaning against a white railing and smiling faintly at the lens, his jawline sculpted and smooth. He looked like the quintessential gentle, boy-next-door crush.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell raised an eyebrow, not paying much mind, and turned back to his work.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Five seconds later, stretching his arms, he leaned back and caught another glimpse of her screen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The chat window was still popping up with new photos. One showed the actor striking a cold, aloof pose; another was a candid shot with a stuffed animal; and a third had him holding a camera on a Parisian street. There were airport shots, magazine covers, and even period-drama stills of him in an ornate palace costume.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, the screen flashed. A new image appeared.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man was pulling up the hem of his shirt, wearing black drawstring joggers, his powerful, defined abs shimmering under the lights. The photo had a moody, desaturated filter that made the visual impact even more jarring.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s eyelid twitched.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s heart skipped a beat, too. She guiltily looked up at Maxwell, only to find him staring unblinkingly at her screen, though it was impossible to tell how long he had been watching.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Caught red-handed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell cleared his throat, looking away with forced nonchalance as he pretended to focus on an email he’d already read. \"Is that... some kind of actor?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell clicked his mouse, his tone laced with a hint of acidity. \"Oh. He’s... handsome, I guess.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You think so too?\" Arianna asked, surprised. She had never heard him compliment another man before. A thought occurred to her, and she broke into a smile. \"He’s a celebrity my coworker is obsessed with. She’s been aggressively selling me on his filmography.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly, his tone turning breezy. \"Oh, I see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you like him, do you want me to forward these to you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s mouse-clicking froze. He couldn't very well admit he was jealous, let alone that he’d been sneakily spying on her screen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure. Send them over.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A flood of images appeared in their chat window. Maxwell opened one, acting as if he were studying a business report while his mind was elsewhere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna, remembering Miranda’s words, kept pitching the actor. \"Apparently, he’s a great actor, and a really nice person off-camera. He’s great to his fans—treats them like friends. He’s even bought them boba and snacks before. A girl on my team even took time off just to follow his tour.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And his fans are so respectful. They're genuinely sweet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stared blankly at the screen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Great. Now she’s impressed by his fan base, too.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't speak, his eyes locked on the laptop monitor. On the screen was a still from one of the actor's films. Seeing how fixated he was, Arianna decided to scrap her original choice and give him what he wanted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You like this one, don't you? Let's just watch this movie then?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"...No need.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna assumed he was just being modest. After all, in all this time, Maxwell had never shown a preference for anything. Now that he finally had an actor he clearly liked, she wasn't about to let it go.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s totally fine,\" Arianna insisted, trying to be considerate. \"Let’s just watch this one. We can save the other movie for later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell: \"............\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909712]