Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 59: dreams stay dreams .James’s back is turned when she enters the main lounge connected to all the luxury suites. It’s a spacious waiting area, offering seats, a row of vending machines up front, and a well-stocked bookshelf located in the corner.“You look great.” Ariana comments, to which James whirls around at. He’s roughly patched up, swollen jaw unshaven and littered with bruises.James narrows his eyes. “I want to see my uncle.”“Sorry, but no can do. Liam banned you from visiting him. And based on what Walter’s heard about you, I doubt he wants to see you either.”He snorts and paces in front of the seat Ariana’s taken. “Well, I’m not surprised, considering how fucking dramatic Liam is. The kid always makes sure I have a bad reputation.”Ariana raises a brow, unimpressed. “Or maybe you did that to yourself without any help needed.”She must’ve hit a nerve, because James’s face immediately cloudens. “Uncle raised me more than my own fa
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 60: a snort, a sigh and love .Dinner was great.It consisted of delicious food, light banter, a shit ton of lame puns and finished off with Warren’s latest piece which he performed on the keyboard he brought along.It’s a quarter past ten when Walter tells everyone to head home early. Antonio and Quincy usually assist their father till evening, but Ariana and Williams had been lingering around them lately until the clock struck eleven.Williams expresses the need for a shower as soon as they get home. He drops a kiss on Ariana’s forehead on his way to the ensuite while Ariana makes herself comfortable on the couch before turning the television on.Due to the previous lack of cable in her house, she quickly grew fond of the luxury since moving in with Liam—and practically conquering his room like her own, which according to her husband, is cute, if not a little weird.Speaking of which, Williams steps out of the bathroom in white pajamas half
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 61: the right way .Williams licks his lips nervously, pupils dilated and breathing heavy. He struggles to meet Ariana’s eyes when he croaks, “T-thought I was the one punishing you—not the other way around.”“All part of the plan, baby.”Yeah, a plan to get the prince to capture the damsel in distress and ravish the fuck out of them.Williams groans at her response with a shake of his head, pulling her off the desk and onto his lap. Ariana yelps from the lack of balance, but Williams’s got her trapped against his thighs, strong arms coiled around her waist as he leans into his chair.“You’re such a troublemaker, you know that? A pretty little bundle of mischief that’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.”Ariana scoffs and settles down comfortably into the younger’s lap nonetheless, legs dangling over the armrest. “A year is not the rest of your life.”“It will be if I die in the process.” He points out, eyes bright and teasing. “Which will prob
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 61: refined, critiquing antique way. Lance steps back with a smile. “You look wonderful in this refined, antique way.”“So, a History professor from hell.”“You look fine, Ariana.” Sarah sighs, gesturing towards the double-breasted suit she put her in. “Like, sure, you look like an honorary prick from the Board, I’ll give you that. But at the same time, you’ve got your signature twist that screams your name.”To be fair, she does give off a sophisticated vibe with her ridiculously expensive tie, fitted windowpane blazer over her white dress shirt, exclusively from Versace and Saint Laurent, respectively. The ensemble—along with her hideous Berlutis—met the required dress code, but at least she’s able to keep her favorite pendant, rings, and threader earrings on, even if it seems controversial. Not that it’d stop her in the first place.The three of them planned the details beforehand and spent the last week making minor adjustments. Although
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 62: tight porcelain . “Oh, hello there.” Nigel greets. He looks rather young as if his delicate face structure and porcelain skin were any indications. Dressed in a crisp, white tuxedo, he would’ve come off as an angelic beauty if it weren't for the discrimination glazing his eyes as he surveys Ariana’s appearance.What, do I not look boring enough? Or is it because they still see me as the grubby diner kid even with the new name and getup?“A pleasure to have you here, Miss Ariana,” Nigel continues for the crowd. “We were wondering whether you’d make it considering we started about an hour ago.”Ariana glances at her watch with a frown. “The invitation said six p.m, and it’s currently five-fifty. I’m perfectly on time.”There’s something in the way Nigel quirks an angled brow that warns Ariana how nasty one can truly be. “The ceremony was scheduled for five. I mean, it must’ve been correct if everyone else showed up then. Although, I’m sure
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 63: Condescending Tyrants . Once Ariana is sure she’s steered clear of the hotel, her straightened shoulders slump and she feels the excitement instantly deflate out of her.Although she stands true to her words back at the banquet, she’s lost more than what she’s gained by blowing this opportunity. It stings worse when she figures she was never given a fair chance, to begin with. Ariana knows she should’ve expected an ambush after searching up gossip on their past havoc beforehand, but she believed otherwise. And now all she can do is admit that the blows not only wound her pride but also gave her a taste of the Board’'s true colors. Despite the generous motives behind the organization, the members themselves were arrogant, misogynistic assholes. And although she was very well aware of this, Ariana’s tendency to dismiss even the crudest of people got the best of her.The only problem with giving these ignorant dickheads a chance is that th
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 64: a disastrous evening . The front desk phone rings and Ariana watches him take the call almost nervously.“Yes, Mr Malik” he answers into the receiver. “Yes. I understand. My apologies, I didn’t—yes, okay. Alright, bye.”Malik’s voice returns after the call and informs, “You’re all clear, Ariana. Again, I’m sorry if he gave you a hard time. I’m filling the staff in with your info so you won’t have to go through that again.”“Nah, it’s cool. Don’t sweat it. He was only doing his job, but I’m heading in now. See you in a bit, thanks.” Ariana hangs up and beams at Derrick. “I’m glad we got that over with. Sorry for being annoying. It’s just that I couldn’t think of anything else.”“I should be the one apologizing, Montenegro, ma,” comes the awkward reply. “I, um.”“It’s Ariana, and relax! You’re fine. I won’t get you in trouble.”“Thank you.” Derrick sighs in relief and redirects her towards the open turnstiles. “By the way, do you need help
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 65: and a date it was . He twists to the side and surveys the shoes confusedly, turning back to Ariana and asking, “Did you, uh, wear sneakers to the banquet?”The mood sours at the mention of the disastrous evening.Ariana lowers her gaze. “No, I went shopping afterward.”“Shopping.” Williams echoes, brightening up again. “What else did you get? Please don’t tell me you have a whole stash of shoes hidden somewhere.”“What? No. This is it.”And apparently, that’s a tough case to believe, because Williams’s eyes widen comically. “You seriously went on a shopping spree for sneakers? That’s it? You’ve got money to splurge and that’s all you got?”“What else was I supposed to spend it on, crack?”The only reaction she receives is endless snickers, much to her displeasure. “You’re killing me here, Ariana .”“Don’t tempt me,” She snaps.“Hey, come on now. Don’t be like that,” Liam coos. “I never thought I’d say this but I really dig your fashion. I
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 84: all good things come to an end . In the morning, Ariana found herself seated in the back of her chauffeur-driven car, heading toward her father-in-law's residence. The weight of guilt hung heavily on her, and she had made up her mind to come clean, to reveal the truth about her and Williams's marriage, and their evolving love, despite the contract that had initially bound them.Upon her arrival, the bodyguards directed her to the expansive garden within the Montenegro residence. As she stepped into the lush, well-manicured garden, her heart raced with anticipation. The beauty of the surroundings was starkly contrasted by the heavy burden of truth she was about to reveal.In the garden, Ariana's eyes fell upon two figures who had been waiting for her—Kingston and Walter. The bodyguards made her presence known, and both men turned to look at her. Ariana could feel the intensity of Kingston's gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. It was a kn
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 83: truth is surfacing. In the dining room of the Montenegro mansion, a grand family dinner was in progress. The room was adorned with exquisite chandeliers, fine china, and polished woodwork, exuding an air of sophistication and prestige.Seated around the long, ornate table were the members of the Montenegro family. Walter, the patriarch and head of the family, occupied the prominent position at the head of the table. Antonio, Quincy, and Warren, the siblings, were seated beside him, and Ariana at the ending presumably on Williams’s designated chair. As the meal progressed and the family enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, Antonio decided to share some significant news with the rest of the family. With a sense of resolution, he cleared his throat, gaining the attention of his family members. The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted, all eyes turning to him.Antonio spoke, "I wanted to let you all know that I've cut all ties with Maguire Pari
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 82: behind the scenes . The luxurious office of Sean Ericsson was bathed in soft, ambient light as he dialed Nigel's number. Nigel, one of the individuals involved in the charity organization, had caused quite a stir during a previous meeting when he attempted to disgrace Ariana, Williams's wife. Sean was determined to prevent a similar incident from happening again.Nigel answered the call, and Sean got straight to the point. "Nigel, I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming charity board meeting. Ariana is coming back, and I don't want a repeat of what happened last time. I won't tolerate any attempts to discredit her."Nigel, while trying to sound accommodating, acknowledged Sean's concern. "Of course, Sean. I understand. We'll ensure that the meeting proceeds smoothly."As the call ended, Nigel immediately turned to his cousin, Kingston, who was sitting nearby. Kingston had his own grievances with Ariana, stemming from the belief that
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 81: Ariana Montenegro . The Montenegro family house was a true testament to opulence and grandeur. Its lavish interior exuded wealth and elegance, from the magnificent chandeliers that adorned the ceilings to the intricate artwork that graced the walls. Ariana had stepped into a world where luxury was a way of life, a stark contrast to her own humble beginnings.In the heart of this extravagant setting, she found Warren, the talented musician of the family, testing his skills on the grand piano in the spacious sitting room. The rich, melodious notes filled the room, and the expression of concentration on his face showed that he took his music seriously.As Ariana announced her presence, Warren paused his performance and turned to greet her. He wore a warm, welcoming smile and, with genuine affection, embraced her in a heartfelt hug. His embrace radiated the bond that had developed between them since her marriage to Williams.Warren's affectio
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 80: show of who’s bigger? . Ariana, sitting in the upscale store for the wealthy, glanced at the message on her phone from her stylist, Hana. The message revealed that Hana had relocated with her boyfriend to another state. Ariana couldn't help but smile at the news. She knew how long Hana had been dreaming of this change. With a sense of happiness for her friend's new journey, Ariana replied with a congratulatory message, expressing her best wishes for the exciting change ahead.Turning her attention back to the present, Ariana looked at her friend Jared, who was about to embark on a long-awaited date. She held Jared's 6-year-old son, Alexander, in her arms, a role that made her chuckle at the complexity of their shopping expedition.Jared appeared visibly frustrated as he browsed through the clothing racks, continuously dropping clothes with an exasperated expression. Alexander, sensing his father's irritation, went to hug him, seeking t
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 79: back to the beginnings . Ariana entered the familiar surroundings of Roswell Diner, the clinking of dishes and the murmur of patrons filling the air. She had come to meet her former boss, Sal, a man who had played a significant role in her life. As they settled in his private office for a candid conversation, Ariana couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude.With a heartfelt smile, she began, "Sal, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You've been there when I needed it the most, and I want to show my appreciation."Sal, a warm and fatherly figure in her life, was taken aback but replied, "Ariana, you don't owe me anything. I was happy to help."Ariana was persistent, a hint of emotion in her voice as she insisted, "No, Sal, I really want to write you a cheque. You've been there for me since my days as a waitress here, and I've come so far thanks to your support."Sal paused, his eyes filled with genuine aff
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 78: the perfect plan . Ariana embarked on a solitary journey through the city's bustling streets in the comfort of her chauffeur-driven car. The city at night was a breathtaking spectacle of wealth and power. Tall, modern skyscrapers stood like giants, their shimmering lights forming constellations in the urban sky, testaments to the opulence that defined this metropolis.As the car glided through the city's vibrant arteries, Ariana's thoughts meandered through a labyrinth of emotions. Loneliness weighed heavily on her heart, its presence magnified by the extravagant life she led. Williams Montenegro, her billionaire husband, had left the country on a business venture three days ago. His departure had left a void in her life that no amount of luxury or privilege could fill. Despite the grand parties, glittering galas, and lavish gatherings she attended, they seemed nothing more than a facade, unable to dispel the desolation that had take
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 77: fair amount . The skin on her husband’s back is smooth and taut, hinting at the exceptional physical condition of his body. And what a condition. He has somehow managed to make Ariana, a average height woman with a fair amount of muscles around, feel small. Ariana dwells on that perception. She likes it. She fucking loves it.Is she horny? Ariana resist the urge to slap herself out of this thirsting bubble she’s been sucked in. It’s William’s fault for sure. She’s here trying to keep her anger up but being married to such an attractive creature has Ariana fighting her own demons instead of her husband.Although her own body doesn’t agree, she is truly sulking over the energy that Williams lacks to ask her what's wrong. It bothers her. Call her spoiled, but Williams should be panicking if Ariana ever frowns. So, she walks in her nightshirt towards the other sitting on the kitchen island. She can see Williams cutting the dry meat and mu
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 75:.A gentle silence lingers in the tranquillity of the elegantly embellished lounge room. The luxurious space feels isolated and vast, with high ceilings decorated with minimalistic chandeliers summoning a weak, golden light upon the elegant interior. The vast space’s sleek, modern design meshes seamlessly with the kitchen and bar next to it, resulting in a harmonious blend of modern setting with a bolder elegance. The neutral tones of the walls serve as a canvas for the vibrant colours of the furniture. A plush, velvet modular sofa of a deep hue occupies the centre of the room. The coffee table, made from a piece of polished marble, rests gracefully on top of a patterned rug.The place is decked out with fine art pieces sorted around the room. She, who is now a dot in the room, has chosen most of them. Ariana lets out a yawn. The fabric of her husband's oversized t-shirt drapes loosely around her shoulders. She takes a look at the clock