Everyone knew that Aria Jackson had loved Larry Spencer for years. The usually obedient Aria got tattoos for him, broke rules for him, and even moved to a foreign city for him. But when she fell into the lake and he rescued her rival instead, leaving her soaking and miserable, her heart finally shattered completely. The man who came after Larry held her protectively in his arms and suggested with a gentle laugh, "Miss Jackson, have you considered teaching your ex-husband a lesson?" She promptly filed for divorce and married Archer Duncan, the heir to the Duncan empire and the powerful CEO of Duncan Industries. That evening, their marriage certificate was posted on social media. The typically aloof Larry finally showed his desperation, begging her not to marry Archer and then turning to threaten him, "You think she loves you? She's just using the Duncan family's wealth and connections!" Archer simply tightened his arm around her waist and replied calmly, "So what? Fortunately, I have both in abundance." What no one knew was that Aria had been Archer's carefully laid plan all along. He had deeply loved this rose from the beginning—he admired her ambition and was eager to support her boldness and independence.
View More"Why a production base?"As they entered a subject Aria was familiar with, she noticed some blank paper on Archer's desk and glanced at him. Before she could ask, he had already handed her his pen.Aria smiled and began sketching and writing on the paper."Harbor City doesn't have its own film and television production base. Building one would first boost the local economy and enhance the city's cultural influence."Archer didn't interrupt her, so she continued, "A production base would attract large numbers of tourists, promoting related industries like restaurants, hotels, and tourism. At the same time, the filmmaking process requires numerous props, sets, and costumes, which would create business opportunities for local companies, thus stimulating the local economy."The production base could showcase local cultural characteristics. Through the spread of film and television works, it would increase the visibility and influence of local culture, enhancing our cultural soft power
Aria watched the man's tall, imposing figure and unconsciously rubbed her fingertips. She walked step by step into the kitchen, her gaze falling on his long, elegant hands.His palms were broad yet slender, with prominent knuckles. The veins on the back of his hands appeared and disappeared with his movements.They were hands with a powerful presence—full of strength and beauty."Mr. Duncan's hands are too beautiful for washing dishes as well."Archer looked down at her, "You make a good point, which is why there's a dishwasher." He pointed to the dishwasher on the other side.Why didn't he say so earlier...Aria's cheeks puffed up slightly, looking exactly like an angry chipmunk.Archer couldn't help but smile, but then heard Aria say dryly, with her head lowered. "The rain has stopped. I should go home."It was still early, but she felt awkward and didn't want to stay any longer.The man dried his hands, his gaze slowly settling on Aria's face. "Weren't you interested in the
The pasta sauce was rich and flavorful, the fettuccine had the soft texture she preferred, the egg was silky smooth, and the asparagus carried a hint of red pepper flakes. Though these were simple home-cooked dishes, she felt an indescribable sense of happiness while eating them.Suddenly, her phone chimed.She took out her phone and looked at it. It was a message from her troublemaker brother, James.She wondered what outrageous things he might say this time.[James]: Aria, I've been thinking about this for a while, and something still doesn't feel right.[James]: Although my sister is beautiful enough to be a Hollywood A-lister, this Mr. Duncan is equally good-looking! He has the physique, the looks, the family fortune—everything! If he's being so accommodating to you, there must be a catch![James]: He must have issues![James]: He must have some physical condition which is why he's being so careful. That's why he chose you—you're beautiful but previously married, so he think
"I'm not picky, anything is fine," Aria hesitated before shaking her head in response.Archer nodded and went into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator to take out some vegetables, moving with apparent skill—clearly a man who had lived abroad.Aria walked over somewhat awkwardly to ask, "Do you need any help?"It was her first visit to Archer's home, and he was already cooking for her. Since they weren't very familiar yet, she genuinely felt embarrassed.Archer was already washing the vegetables."Perhaps you could help me tie the apron strings."Aria, who had been waiting to eat, approached with flushed cheeks. Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the strings, but this action nearly required her to embrace the man's firm waist, causing both her ears and face to redden.Her mind flashed back to Archer's mention of six-pack abs that day in the car, making her face grow even hotter.She couldn't help taking a deep breath as her fingertips trembled while tying the strin
Archer's eyes suddenly darkened.But at least, she would soon leave the prison that the Spencer family built around her.In the future, she would be his wife....When Aria opened her eyes, she heard a "pitter-patter" sound, like raindrops hitting the window—the kind of sound that makes one feel lazy and want to take a nap.She made a soft sound, finding her position uncomfortable, and simply changed her posture.And so Archer watched as Aria nuzzled against him and lay down on his lap, using his thigh as a comfortable pillow."Aria."Archer called her name with what seemed like a hint of resignation.She made a small humming sound, ignoring him."You're just going to stay like this?"She indeed continued to stay put, paying him no attention."It seems you want me to carry you inside?" Archer said coolly. "That can be arranged."Aria, still half-asleep, suddenly shivered and woke up.Her eyes flew open, looking up to meet the man's dark eyes. His eyes were slightly upturn
After seeing James and knowing he wasn't depressed about his legs, Aria felt relieved.Mentally exhausted from the past few days, she fell into a deep sleep against the car window as soon as she got in. The driver wasn't going particularly slowly, and occasionally her head would hit the window with a "thud" sound."Drive more carefully," Archer frowned, reaching out to pull her closer, letting her head rest on his shoulder.The driver immediately slowed down.Seeing how deeply she was sleeping, Archer slightly narrowed his eyes. "Go to the apartment."The driver was surprised, "Mr. Duncan, weren't we supposed to take Miss Jackson home?""That can wait."The driver swallowed his words and silently raised the partition behind the front seats.The car changed direction, and Archer's gaze fell on her fair profile. His expression seemed to carry a hint of tenderness that was difficult to detect.His phone rang. Archer frowned, intending to hang up, but when he saw it was his grandm
"If your sister marries me, I won't restrict her personal freedom, work freedom, or social freedom. She can choose to join Duncan Industries, or she can start her own business."We will sign a prenuptial agreement. I will provide her with sufficient guarantees in all aspects."Archer's words made Aria turn to look at him, visibly moved.James fell unusually silent.He looked at Archer—nearly 6'3" tall, with long legs, broad powerful shoulders, and strikingly handsome features that would impress anyone at first glance.Moreover, he was the designated heir to the Duncan family. With his family background, looks, education, and character all evident, along with such promises, even James couldn't find fault.Because Archer's meaning was very clear.If something went wrong in the future, he would divorce Aria with compensation—property and financial security were all part of his guarantee.James wouldn't believe promises from others, but coming from Archer, he did.Still, he remain
James had grown up alongside Aria, always following in her footsteps since childhood. The siblings shared a deep bond—in other words, James was the ideal brother.Aria never bullied her brother, but James would challenge himself. Even as a small boy, before he could walk steadily, he would proudly save his allowance money in a Hallmark card each year, saying he would support his sister.When Aria was in her early teens, she was afraid of insects. James, at five or six years old, was afraid too, but he would still rush out with his small sand castle shovel to kill bugs, reassuring her, "Don't be scared, sis."As he grew older, he started cooking for Aria. He knew exactly what she liked and disliked. He would even fuss when she wore a slightly shorter skirt on a cool autumn day. Aria often joked that her brother was like a little grandfather, always nagging her.But James only acted this way with her. He was simply a brother protecting his sister.Back then, Aria was somewhat willfu
"Why can't you look for the reasons within yourself?"You're lucky that Larry was still willing to marry you back then. You should be grateful instead of blaming him.""Without Larry, who would pay for my treatment and your brother's? Even though he hates you because of Linda, he still cares about me and James. He's already a very good man."Don't keep making a fuss over small things and damage your marriage. If your relationship ends, who will take care of me and James?”Rachel spoke each word deliberately, every sentence like a blade cutting straight to Aria's core."Mom, I've explained about Linda. It had nothing to do with me. I was innocent."Before Aria could finish, Rachel cut in, "But it was your birthday dinner that day. If it weren't for your birthday, Linda wouldn't have died."She seemed to place all the blame squarely on Aria's shoulders.Aria was momentarily stunned, her eyes darkening.This was exactly why she hadn't wanted Archer to come in.Her mother surely
Late at night, Aria Jackson sat in the lounge, flipping through photos of Larry Spencer with another woman. The pictures were taken secretly, but from a clever angle.Through the car window, the two were clearly having an intense moment. Larry's distinctive mole and the snowflake tattoo on the woman's shoulder were unmistakable.Aria smiled coldly, tossing the photos into the trash can as exhaustion washed over her."Do I really have to get this tattoo?" she asked."Mrs. Spencer, this is your husband's instruction. The tattoo artist is already waiting. Only if you get the same tattoo as Miss Landon can we clear up yesterday's scandal. Of course, you can refuse—if you want your brother's medical payments to stop tomorrow."The secretary's tone was dismissive, her eyes showing no respect. It was as if Aria, the so-called Mrs. Spencer, was nothing more than a disposable joke.And that was exactly the case.Larry's affair with the tattooed woman had gone viral, causing such an uproa...
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