Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 20: greed and arrogance.“Good afternoon, madame.” Jasmine, the boutique’s manager, drawls in an accented falsetto. Her poor attempt at French only worsens her overall image as she meets them in the waiting room, dressed dramatically in a fiery red and black ensemble.All it took was one minute for Ariana to dislike Jasmine. Her personality is a compressed force of impishly girlish—and obviously fake—features, a sweet voice dripping in venom, and dark lips curling haughtily at every word.Her disgust was more than evident when they were first introduced. In fact, she sent Ariana daggers the second she immediately noticed her flipping through a designer’s lookbook while Lance was discussing something with the suite’s assistants. Throwing her one more dirty glare, she turned to Lance and babbled how honored she felt working for the future Montenegro.Lance simply blinked at her, perplexed by the undivided attention, before returning to Jasmine a
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 21: A Montenegro never .Knowing very well what she’d be getting into, she casts a glance at a concerned Keith accompanying Lance. “However, I want Keith to continue working for me since he’s a talented artist who doesn’t treat me like garbage. As long as you’re nowhere near our appointments. If not, I’m taking my business elsewhere and will get him hired somewhere else so that you won’t get anything out of it.”It’s a large hand at stake, but Ariana is willing to make it if it means she won’t have to work with Jasmine anymore. Hell, she’ll pay the price herself with the one million Williams’s giving her. It doesn’t matter as long as this bitch of a woman is no longer on her team. The criticism is something she can stomach. Mishandling a child like Alexander, on the other hand, is intolerable in her book.She just hopes the whole ordeal won't cost her more than a million dollars.Jasmine angrily brushes her hair out of the way, nostrils flari
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 22: business transactions not love .Ariana reaches upwards to peck the younger man’s cheek, breaking away when Alexander yells his disapproval and snorting at the child’s horrified expression.Williams hrugs off his blazer, frees his tie, and rolls his sleeves up to his elbows. “Okay, back to work. What should I do?”As Alexander watches Pororo on the TV, they both loiter around the kitchen, making simple designs on the cookies and letting them dry on the cooling rack. Williams slips into the living room to check up on the child before walking back in.“Did you ever happen to find a red shirt?” He leans over the counter and snatches a washcloth to dry the bowls with.“Yeah, Sandy got me this whole outfit based on red.”“Pity.” Williams wickedly grins. “Here I was hoping I’d strip you down and dress you in red myself.”Ariana flicks his wrist, sending droplets flying into his face. “Keep the fantasies to yourself. There’s a kid in the next roo
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 23: this can’t be love .When they finally make it back to Ariana’s apartment for the third time that day, Williams escorts Ariana to the bathroom, quickly pecking her cheek and informing that he’ll wait for her in the living room. Apparently his driver had already supplied him with a new set of clothes for the dinner, and all that’s left is for Ariana to shower and get ready herself.Weirded out by the fact that Williams is paying her more attention than necessary, Ariana succumbs to the warm shower after such a tiring day. The hot water does a much better job at loosening her tense muscles than the masseuse did.As her skin soaks, she tries to figure their odd relationship out and why Williams is devoting so much of his time when he could be anywhere else but tagging along with his so-called burdensome fiancée. As much as Ariana’s tempted to confront him about it, she figures she’d rather stay oblivious.At least it’s way better than them
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 24: beautiful beautiful angels .“How do I look? Good? Okay? Tolerable?” Ariana asks for the nth time this evening as she whirls around to face her prep team consisting of Lance, Sandy, Hana, and Keith. They hover around her like bees, adding the final touches for tonight’s appearance.Hana clicks her tongue and gives her a final squirt of setting spray. “Good is an understatement, girl. Your beauty will leave everyone snatched, trust me. Right, guys?”“Definitely,” Sandy cooes. The two men nod in agreement.In her defense, no amount of reassurance can calm her down in time for the big day. All Ariana did was blink and suddenly she’s being steered around and around through errands and then carted into her house for a grand makeover.Despite it being just the engagement party and not the wedding itself, it’s still nerve-wracking as it’s the first officially public event she’d be attending with Williams prior to their big announcement. They’v
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 25: the engagement party .“Okay, okay, truce. Drink up.”Ariana smiles up at him apologetically.Realization flickers across Williams’s face and he nods. “Ah. Hey, you—excuse me, my good man.” The server curiously turns around, returning to them upon Williams’s gesture. “My fiancée would like something non-alcoholic. Can you make sure the bar’s supplied with whatever she wants?”“Yes, of course. What would you like, ma’am?”It’s weird to see how much of a trembling impact the billionaire leaves on the poor guy, so she gently says, “A lemonade, please. Thank you,” and sends him off.“I should’ve remembered that you aren’t a drinker.” Williams shakes his head. “Honestly, you make me feel like a sinner with all your virtues."“It’s a choice, not a virtue.” Ariana laughs. “Besides, you don’t need me to prove how much of a sinner you are.”“I beg to differ.” And there he goes again, lowering his voice to a husky, saccharine tone. His captivating e
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 26: snitches everywhere .“What the hell Liam, you never told me your brother’s a romantic. This is perfect!” Ariana can’t help but exclaim. She uses the corner of her sleeve to wipe the sudden tears that had welled up in her eyes during the performance.“Uh huh. A nosy little romantic,” Williams mutters under his breath, earning her a questioning look.They make no further comment and listen to the rest of the cover, which moves the audience with its cleverly altered lyrics. Even Ariana has to admit the song doesn’t sound as solemn as it normally would’ve been.Without further ado, the roar of applauds fill the entire venue when Warren voices the ending and takes another polite bow. Walter returns afterwards to finish off the program.Despite Williams being as charming and attentive as ever during dinner, Ariana detects annoyance somewhere beneath those layers. Before she can confront him about it, though, Williams excuses himself to catch
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 26: snitches everywhere .“What the hell Liam, you never told me your brother’s a romantic. This is perfect!” Ariana can’t help but exclaim. She uses the corner of her sleeve to wipe the sudden tears that had welled up in her eyes during the performance.“Uh huh. A nosy little romantic,” Williams mutters under his breath, earning her a questioning look.They make no further comment and listen to the rest of the cover, which moves the audience with its cleverly altered lyrics. Even Ariana has to admit the song doesn’t sound as solemn as it normally would’ve been.Without further ado, the roar of applauds fill the entire venue when Warren voices the ending and takes another polite bow. Walter returns afterwards to finish off the program.Despite Williams being as charming and attentive as ever during dinner, Ariana detects annoyance somewhere beneath those layers. Before she can confront him about it, though, Williams excuses himself to catch
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