"Welcome home, Brother." Maverick frowned, displeased, when he found his sister in the living room right after getting home. He turned to look at the butler, who was taking his bag and coat. "Why is that little brat here, Shenan?" "Come on, don't blame Shenan too much. I came by myself. Why am I being treated like a stranger anyway?" Karina argued, defending the butler's lady while grumbling in protest at her brother's attitude. "I came here because I was hungry." "You think my house is a food warehouse?" Maverick said irritably as he stepped towards the sofa and sat down to join Karina. Despite his annoyance, he didn't shoo her away again. Maverick knew that Karina had come for a reason, so he settled the matter before going to bed and falling asleep without interruption. "Quickly tell me what you want." "I wanna know, could it be that you are interested in Victoria, Brother?" asked Karina with a severe tone and face. "Why do you ask?" Maverick threw back the question.
Though wondering, Victoria replied, "I don't care how my family's image is. All I want is for those two traitors to get what they deserve." "Don't worry, I won't back down just because of my family," she continued. Victoria pushed that ridiculous thought aside, trying to give herself a suggestion. Their relationship was nothing more than a contract that would end when their goals were achieved. Someone like Maverick Hurlington couldn't have such feelings. "You might think that, but your father would not. Instead, he will protect the Agriche name that he is proud of. Wouldn't he?" She was silent, not denying what Maverick said. It was true, especially since Emberly was his favorite daughter, even though there was no blood relationship between them. "At least the stigma will still be attached to them," Victoria replied quietly. Deep down, there was a long-held disappointment. However, Victoria again chose not to care about it but to focus on her goal. "So, what do yo
"Y-you figured it out already?" Karina asked, surprised. Victoria nodded as she removed her hands from Karina's. Through her words, she should not have doubted Karina anymore, even from the beginning. Her demeanor showed innocence, making it clear that Karina was just a cute and clumsy young woman. "Yes, I've known since Emberly's birthday party. I saw the two of them in the hotel room." Karina gasped at that. Victoria smiled a small smile, showing a calm demeanor. However, although it did not show any signs that her heart was hurt, it brought back painful memories that would never disappear. She just tried not to get too emotional, which made people pity her. "How did you hold it in all this time?" asked Karina with amazement. Victoria refrained from telling Karina about her revenge plan. Although she had reduced the distance between them, it didn't mean she trusted her completely. For now, Victoria is only removing her suspicion from Karina. But without realizing it,
"Mr. Hurlington, he is Mr. Alessandro, the director of Alessandro's company, that you must know. He is my business partner and my friend as well." Victoria immediately introduced Gustav, especially her relationship with him, to Maverick to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. "Forgive me for my impoliteness, Mr. Hurlington. I am Gustav Alessandro, owner of the GV brand and best friend of Tori." Gustav extended a hand and again emphasized their relationship, leaving Victoria speechless. "Maverick Hurlington." Maverick returned the handshake while introducing himself briefly. They shook hands for a long time without breaking eye contact, as if there was a conversation that only they heard. Victoria unconsciously felt the atmosphere become a little tense due to their hostility. What exactly was the matter that these two seemed to hate each other at their first meeting? "Victoria!" Another audible voice finally distracted the two. Victoria turned her head towards the directi
"Tori, you're not acting like someone who doesn't know anything. I've heard that that arrogant man helped you once, but are you both really that close?" Victoria, eating a piece of tart, stopped chewing and looked at Gustav, who was staring at her suspiciously. Maverick's attitude towards her seemed to indicate that there was something between them that made Gustav suspicious. Victoria had no intention of hiding it but would tell him. However, this place was not suitable to talk about it. "Am I supposed to keep my distance and act like I don't know the people who helped me, Gustav?" asked Victoria, stopping to watch her family, who were still with Maverick. "I'm sure you have something to hide, Tori." Gustav's stubbornness narrowed Victoria's eyes, signaling Gustav to stop talking about it now. Then she denied, "I don't feel close to him. It's just a friendly exchange." Fortunately, Gustav stopped there after understanding her sign. They continued chatting about other topi
"Dad, I need to go to the toilet for a minute." Emberly, who couldn't stand this conversation, looked for an excuse to leave when she saw where Alden was. "Go on," Petter said with permission as he glanced at her briefly. Emberly smiled politely at Maverick. "Then, excuse me." As soon as she got permission, Emberly left immediately, but she didn't go to the toilet. Instead approached Alden. As is customary, she signaled to him for them to meet outside. After being in the small room by herself, the smile and expression she had been maintaining finally crumbled. Emberly slammed her bag on the floor and screamed in frustration until she was out of breath. Her clothes and hair became a mess. Alden soon arrived and saw how the woman looked. "Hey, hey, what's wrong? What about your engagement plan? It fell through, right?" Alden gives her a few questions. "He didn't want to set me up but sold me to that arrogant man!" Emberly snapped out with emotion mixed with tears fil
"When are you going to hold Emberly and Maverick's engagement ceremony?" asked Victoria amid their breakfast. "Should I help with the preparations?" The following day, right after the ceremony, word quickly spread overnight. The journalists cleverly seized the opportunity. All the major media companies in the country compactly published the news of Maverick and Emberly's matchmaking. Although there was no direct confirmation, they attributed it to the two conglomerates' seemingly close interactions. "No need. You focus on your thesis to get it done faster. Your and Alden's wedding will be held as soon as you graduate." Victoria is no longer against what Petter said. She glanced at Emberly, who seemed to be smiling haughtily. Though a few days ago, her now beautiful smiling face was so upset. She more than knew the reason behind her smile. 'Unfortunately, you won't get what you want, Emberly.' Victoria returned the smile, making Emberly's smile disappear in an instant. Vi
"Ah, I'm sorry." Victoria immediately apologized, realizing her mistake. She then asked, "What are you doing here, Maverick?" Instead of answering, that man wipes Victoria's tear-drenched cheeks. He then took off his coat and draped it over Victoria's shoulders. Victoria could not help but be embarrassed at being caught crying in public, especially in front of Maverick. She awkwardly and stammeringly thanked him. "I just finished a meeting at this hotel. And you, where are you going?" he asked back. "I'm going to watch the theatre in that building. I get the tickets from the owner himself. He's one of my father's colleagues, and he just opened it." Victoria explained as she pointed to the building directly across from the Philadelbia Hotel. Maverick stared at the building and then turned to look at his secretary. "Jaxton, I think I'd like to see that theatre too. Find me a ticket." Hearing that, Victoria immediately interrupted, "Wait, if you want to watch it, I got t
"Thank you for allowing your hotel to be the venue for my birthday party," she said after signing the documents Victoria brought. They shook hands warmly while exchanging friendly smiles. "No, it is I who should thank you for accepting my proposal." Victoria and the actress chatted intimately about a few things while eating the menu that had arrived. She tried her best to balance the topic of conversation with the knowledge her secretary had given her about the actress. "By the way, I have to leave now as I have another appointment. Sorry, Mrs. Hurlington. I will send invitations to both of you. Let's chat another time." She stood up after looking at her watch. Meanwhile, her manager quickly brought the actress' belongings. Victoria also stood up and nodded, "Of course, thank you for your time, Miss Angel." "It was nice spending time with you, but it's a shame it has to end." They hugged briefly in farewell. Angel put her glasses and mask back on before exiting the priva
"Verick, are you trying to get us into trouble?!" Victoria ignored her husband's question and turned to scold him for nearly hurting her head. Just like his wife, as if he didn't care about her anger, Maverick ignored her as well and kept demanding answers. "What are your plans for meeting him?!" "What's wrong with you? Just because I met him, what are you angry about?! We're only on contract, in case you forgot!" In a fit of rage, Victoria didn't think about her words and raised her tone of voice while pointing at Maverick. It was then that Maverick fell silent, no longer replying to her argument as if he had woken up. A few seconds of silence filled inside the car. Although they were quiet with each other, the atmosphere was still so intense due to the emotions of their respective egos. The eyes that stared intently at Victoria still hadn't changed. He then got out of the car without saying anything and slammed the door. After Maverick's departure, Victoria sighed deeply. She
"Victoria, who is he?" asked James, who was just watching while holding Maverick."Mr. Benedict." Maverick stared intently at the man in front of him as if he were ready to beat him up at any moment.Before Victoria could speak up to answer, Nadine spoke first. "Wait, wait, isn't he that very famous person? A shameless cheater? He's your ex-fiancé, right, Victoria?"Victoria nodded once in response, which made Nadine turn her attention to Alden. The woman also put her body in front of Victoria, just like Maverick, who was ready to hit him at any time."What business do you have with Victoria? As Verick said, you guys are no longer related to each other!""Babe..." James pulled his fiancée, making her shut up to let Victoria speak and end this situation."I have something to tell you, Victoria." Alden's words suddenly made Maverick look even more furious. He looked like he couldn't control himself and could have hit Alden anytime without Victoria holding him back. "There's no need to t
"For someone coming to a place like this for the first time, I think they will like it. Just like me. The aquarium is wonderful and interesting, James," Victoria commented while talking about her opinion.Victoria didn't mean to curry favor or anything. She just liked the aesthetics and the efficient and sophisticated system. After all, neither James nor Nadine would think so since they knew how much richer the Agriche and Hurlington families were compared to them."Thank you, Victoria. I heard that the name of the hotel you lead is also experiencing a lot of progress and development." Victoria smiled a little at the news already reaching their fellow businessmen."I added some buildings without changing the concept. It was my mother's hotel, and my father didn't want any changes.""That's a great achievement in such a short time that an A-lister like Angel would hold a party at your hotel. I heard a while ago that the hotel was going bankrupt." Nadine chimed in, only to be responded
"Come on, Tori," said Maverick, who had unknowingly opened the car door for Victoria, who was still silent.Her eyes took in the surroundings of the place where they were now. Victoria followed where Maverick took her and waited obediently like a puppy when her husband left her to buy two entrance tickets."Well, now, let's go in." Maverick showed the tickets and again took her by the hand to enter the building.From the outside, the building was bright blue. When the two entered the building, the blue color became natural due to the reflection of the large glass filled with seawater. Maverick was right. Victoria loved this place. She stared in amazement at this place she was visiting for the first time. It was a large aquarium and a museum displaying various sea creatures."Do you like it?" asked Maverick, quietly watching his wife.Victoria turned to him and nodded with a smile. "Thank you for bringing me here.""Thankfully, my intention to entertain you did not fail," he said.His
"Hey, by the way, isn't this where I proposed to you?" Maverick released their embrace and stared at the surroundings.Victoria blinked her eyes a few times while looking at Maverick with furrowed brows in confusion. She tried to dig into her memory to recall what her husband had said. However, no matter how much Victoria tried, she never felt that she was proposed to by the man other than having a conversation before they got married. Right after the plan to expose Alden and Emberly's affair succeeded."If you're talking about the day our first plan succeeded, I don't think it was a proposal," Victoria said with a chuckle.She stepped into the gazebo first, followed by her husband. He matched her slow pace until they sat on the same chair where they had chatted before they got married a few months ago. Time had unknowingly passed quite a while since the day they got married."You never proposed to me, but we'll talk about the same thing again in this place. So, is there a plan to expo
"How are you feeling, Victoria?" Victoria felt a cold sweat starting to break out on her back. Without answering, she only stared straight at the couple as they entered the car and drove away. She thought the question indicated Maverick's desire to know her true feelings for him. 'Does he already know?' She continued to question in her head in desperate fear. 'Then what will happen afterwards?' "Tori..." His soft voice broke the silence in the car. Maverick turned off the car engine that had been running. He pulled Victoria's face suddenly, making her put on a surprised expression so she couldn't resist. "Verick, I..." Her words only reached her throat. She could not express her feelings right now, which could break their contract. "Look at me and answer the question," he said in a commanding tone as if reluctant to be contradicted. "I don't know, Verick." Slowly, she said it without looking at the pair of eyes before her. A long silence followed again, and out of curiosity, V
After Victoria's departure, Gustav had not yet risen from his seat. He watched his best friend's husband sharply and cautiously as if he were very wary of him. Likewise, Maverick did not let Gustav go for a second, as if they were in a staring contest. No one wanted to give in first. "I warned you not to overreact, Hurlington! You're nothing more than a contract husband written on paper." Gustav attacked him first with his sharp words. "I know what I'm doing, Alessandro. We did it for both of our businesses. Instead of warning me, you should have supported her if you were her friend." Maverick replied indifferently to the warning. "I know your business, and that's more than enough!" he exclaimed. "Are you jealous of me and Victoria?" Maverick asked back while furrowing his eyebrows. "Ha!" Gustav snorted harshly and looked away. He looked back at Maverick with both hands, intent on grabbing his shirt collar. However, he decided against it. "I already think of her as my own
"So, may I dance with you, My lady?" Victoria smiled amusedly but couldn't resist accepting her husband's hand. Maverick pulled her hand until they joined the other couples on the dance floor. He swung around her waist and danced in time with the soft music. "You're gorgeous tonight," Maverick complimented, which inevitably caused a reaction on Victoria's cheeks. Luckily, her cheeks were covered with enough blush color to look natural. "Thank you for telling me, husband," she replied confidently. Victoria was again trying to control her heart rate, which had been going crazy since the dance started, with their bodies pressed together. She also had to keep reminding herself that his every gesture, compliment, and treatment of her was just an act. The feelings that shouldn't be there grew with each passing day due to this charade. No wonder Maverick's treatment seemed so natural, even when it was just the two. Until now, when they were attending Agriche's company birthday