Felix followed Larry, his eyes cold with disapproval."Larry, do you really understand what you're doing?"Larry snickered, "It's not like this is my first time. You just don't know because you've been overseas."Hearing this, Felix completely gave up trying to stop him.He watched as Larry led the nightclub woman to get a room, then stood silently at the street corner lighting a cigarette.He smoked two cigarettes but never saw Larry emerge with any sign of regret.He sent Aria a message.[Felix]: Get the divorce....The hotel curtains hadn't been drawn the night before. Larry, drunk and agitated by the situation with Aria, had been somewhat wild, pressing the woman against the cold floor-to-ceiling windows.She was also quite adventurous, submitting to his demands with enthusiasm. Larry was quite satisfied.Early in the morning, he woke up still basking in pleasure, not wanting to get up.Sunlight was already streaming through the windows.He clicked his tongue in annoy
"Good morning, Mr. Duncan."Still drowsy from being awakened by the call, Aria sounded slightly confused. Archer paused, sensing that she had just woken up. Her voice carried a softness and sweetness that she couldn't detect herself—completely different from her usual public image.Apparently because she wasn't fully awake yet.Aria shook her head, her mind blank for a moment before her eyes suddenly widened as she realized she was on the phone with Archer.She checked the time—it was nine o'clock, certainly not early by any standard.She felt unusually embarrassed.If she had made plans with her friend Christina in the morning, she wouldn't have thought twice about keeping her waiting until noon.But Archer was different.Her future second husband... and one who had witnessed her embarrassment last night. This somehow felt even more humiliating.She couldn't keep him waiting any longer, lest he think she was lazy by nature."Are you already downstairs, Mr. Duncan?"She unco
The breakfast Archer had brought was exactly the right portion size for Aria—not too much, not too little, but just right.As the small table and partition were cleared away, Aria glanced outside at the traffic. They must be nearing Harbour Hospital.When the car stopped in the special parking area at the hospital, Aria noticed the paper bag Archer handed her. The tan-colored bag with printed lettering looked very familiar. As she caught the rich scent of milk and chestnut, her eyes brightened."Is this... the Mont Blanc cake from that shop near my high school?"Aria recognized the packaging immediately.It had the same packaging during her high school years—slightly vintage yet understated. It was just Mont Blanc cake, but the shop owner had always appreciated these little touches of ceremony."It's from that shop," Archer casually mentioned. "I passed by this morning. Those who studied in that area all have strong memories of this place, so I brought one."The driver nearly lo
Aria lowered her eyelashes slightly, only taking a brief glance to see Lucy cradled in his arms. The mockery in her eyes was completely undisguised."Is there something you need?""You're asking if I need something?"Larry was so angered by her casual attitude that he laughed bitterly. His rage prompted him to set Lucy down, and his secretary immediately stepped forward to support her. No one noticed Lucy's eyelashes flutter slightly.Larry's gaze turned cold and hostile as he looked over at Archer.The man wore a custom-tailored suit that fit perfectly against his strong frame. He appeared to be nearly 6'3" tall, with broad shoulders and long legs. His features were sculpted and deep, and those dark, deep eyes seemed to carry an unmistakable significance. The aristocratic aura he exuded was too obvious to ignore. Even his casual glance made Larry feel a sense of danger.He seemed like... someone from high society.A powerhouse in financial circles.But Aria had always stayed a
Aria had deliberately said those words to Larry.She knew his personality too well.Seeing Larry's face darken, Aria merely let her eyes flash briefly."It seems your 'senior' has quite the connections. But being transferred to Harbour Hospital doesn't mean just any medical team can cure your mother and brother."Larry had barely finished his sarcastic remark when Dr. Alexander appeared, strolling casually toward them in his white coat. Several medical staff followed behind him. Dr. Alexander gave some brief instructions, and his secretary distributed thick stacks of documents among the staff.Catching sight of Archer and Aria from the corner of his eye, Dr. Alexander raised an eyebrow. As he approached, he overheard Larry's mocking challenge.Seriously?Did this man not know who Archer was?What an idiot.Dr. Alexander clicked his tongue lightly, his voice filled with mockery as he approached."Miss Jackson's mother and brother are my patients. Do you have any other question
Aria spoke each word distinctly, every sentence like a sharp, cold arrow piercing Larry's heart."Now you bring up our wedding anniversary. Tell me, does it even matter? An anniversary without love means nothing."Suddenly, Larry was engulfed by immense sadness.The words "without love" seemed to hold him captive, freezing him in place.Was there no love between them?There used to be love.He looked at his beautiful wife standing not far away. They were physically close, but he knew that years of emotional distance separated them.During their early romance, he had learned to cook just to please her. He even learned to make pasta from scratch, and though his creations were clumsy, she had eaten every bite with a smile.During holiday dinners, he would secretly mark the fortune cookies so she would get the special message he'd written.He had sung love songs to her at their high school Valentine's dance, letting the entire school know that Aria was his girlfriend. Even when th
"Aria, I think you've gone mad."Larry felt his chest tighten as he looked at Aria, the corners of his eyes tinged red.He could see that the light in Aria's eyes was still beautiful, but those sparkles had shattered, mixed with coldness."Who's really the one going mad here?"Aria stepped closer to Larry.Larry wanted to back away, feeling somewhat guilty, but his pride kept him frozen in place until Aria was right in front of him.Her gaze swept over his neck, and her hand gently came to rest on his chest. Larry hesitated but didn't resist. Aria adjusted his tie, her voice filled with iciness."You come before me covered in love bites, showing off your mistress without any attempt to hide it, and yet you say I'm the one making a scene."Aria grabbed his tie, and Larry followed her pull, bending down with widened eyes.Their faces were nearly touching, close enough that he could smell the faint milky scent on Aria.He knew Aria loved drinking milk, and her body wash had the
"If you won't divorce me, do you think I'll help you again this time?"Aria spoke with clear logic, "If you agree to a clean break, you can announce that we've already signed divorce papers and are about to separate. That way, no matter how wild your private life gets, no one will care."She suddenly smiled, "Or would you rather wait until Spencer Corp's stock crashes before coming to beg me?"Larry's eyes reddened at her words."Aria, you took photos, didn't you? After everything we've been through as husband and wife, do you really want to destroy me and Spencer Corp?"She hadn't taken any photos. The only picture she had was sent by Dr. Alexander."Your sex scandal was just suppressed. Why would you think the paparazzi would stop following you?"Larry's expression grew even worse. At that moment, he could barely hear what Aria was saying—his mind was filled only with the word "divorce."Dr. Alexander stood beside Archer with folded arms, turning his head to whisper, "You're
"Today you officially became my wife, so I'm finding it hard to hold back." He leaned forward slightly, brushing the corner of her lips, gently grazing them. "So, Mrs. Duncan, may I kiss you?"His lips were already touching hers, yet he still asked this question—wasn't that question a little redundant?Aria felt her first impression of Archer hadn't been wrong."Wolf in sheep's clothing" or "gentleman on the outside, beast on the inside" would definitely describe him accurately.Her face grew even redder, her breathing uneven, her eyes closed as she dared not look at the man before her."So may I kiss you, Mrs. Duncan?"He was still asking.As if waiting for her answer before truly kissing her."We're married..." Her voice was soft, but this was clearly an answer.He smiled. "So that's a yes?"A barely audible "mm" escaped her throat, and the man smiled as he moved closer, finally kissing her.At last his lips met hers. Aria was stunned for a moment, then slowly relaxed.H
He wore only a white shirt, perhaps because of the summer heat. His tie was loosened slightly, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone and attractive Adam's apple.His sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows, his hands gripping the steering wheel, making his forearms look even more solid.When he turned the wheel, his arms moved, causing the shirt to stretch across his upper arms. The fabric clung tightly to his muscles, revealing his elegant, powerful contours.Her gaze moved upward to his handsome, refined profile. This was the first time she had observed him so carefully and from such close proximity. She realized his features were truly exceptional.His eyes were as beautiful as expensive obsidian, his nose as perfectly sculpted as a work of art. She had often heard people mention how handsome Larry was, but now she saw that compared to Archer, Larry's appearance seemed rather ordinary.Archer was mature and dignified, with
He was very clear about certain things and never gave these women any reason to think they were special....In the car, Aria sat in the passenger seat, still looking somewhat dazed at the ring on her finger.She had been married to Larry for three years and naturally had a wedding ring.But Larry never wore his wedding ring in public, so she hadn't worn hers either. Her ring finger didn't even have that circular mark from wearing a ring. Now, though, things seemed different."What are you thinking about?"Suddenly, she felt warmth at her ear as hot breath caressed her earlobe and neck, carrying the man's cool, fresh scent.Aria quickly turned her head, surprised and stunned.Archer's face was just inches away. When she had turned, his lips had nearly brushed her cheek and the corner of her mouth.Now his warm breath fell on her face, making her ears burn and her entire face flush.They were so close that for the first time, she looked directly into his eyes through his glasse
His fingers showed no ring marks, indicating he had never worn rings before.The platinum band fit perfectly on his long, elegant fingers, looking especially graceful.For the first time, Aria felt that a man wearing a ring could be incredibly attractive.His hands were fair and well-defined, slender yet elegant, with veins faintly visible beneath the skin. Now, with a ring on his finger, it was as if she had claimed him.Aria paused, unable to resist touching his refined fingers. They were long and slender, the skin wrapped smoothly around each slightly protruding knuckle, giving his hands a lean, graceful appearance.At this moment, she suddenly realized that this man now belonged to her.Ethan went to pay for the necklace and ring for his companion. As she waited, she turned around and witnessed this scene, her eyes darkening.Seeing how dismissive Ethan was toward her compared to this moment, her face paled slightly.She glared at Aria with hostility, then suddenly stepped t
"I've got no wedding on the horizon, not even close." Ethan showed no concern for his female companion's paling face.When they first got together, he had made it clear—he would provide money and gifts, and she would only need to offer emotional support. Any deeper feelings were off the table.Theirs wasn't a physical transaction but an emotional one. The two of them were simply in a business arrangement.So she was a companion, not a girlfriend, and there was certainly no "wedding bells" in their future.Archer noticed that Ethan's companion seemed upset, but he just nodded slightly."Feel free to look around. I'll help Aria pick out rings."Ethan clicked his tongue softly as Archer led Aria to the counter displaying matching rings. The styles were relatively simple. Aria didn't like anything too flashy, and she sensed Archer probably didn't either. Simple, understated rings would be perfect."I know it's not a good time for you to wear a wedding ring right now, so let's start w
Only getting married once in a lifetime…Aria froze for a moment, her eyes slightly dazed.Only once—what did that mean?It meant he had chosen her. It meant there wouldn’t be anyone else. No betrayal. She would be his one and only wife.Was this Archer’s way of making her a promise?She wasn’t a naïve girl anymore, easily swept away by pretty words. But still… she couldn’t help letting herself imagine what it would be like, just for a second.Kent didn’t get in the car this time. Archer was the one driving.Eventually, the car pulled up in front of a high-end jewelry flagship store.“Let’s go,” Archer said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out first.Aria was a little confused—why were they stopping here? But as soon as she got out, Archer took her hand and gently led her toward the store.“Wait,” she said, tugging at his hand just as they reached the entrance.He looked down at her.She stared at his handsome face, suddenly second-guessing herself. What if she misun
This can’t be real.It has to be a coincidence. Maybe he was just helping her walk in.The clerk at the marriage office was secretly stunned—but still managed to keep a polite, professional smile on her face.“Miss Jackson, did you forget something?” she asked pleasantly.Aria paused in surprise.She hadn’t expected the same clerk from this morning to be the one handling their marriage license too.Her gaze shifted to Archer.Archer looked completely calm. “We’re here to get our marriage license,” he said. “We need the application form.”The clerk froze.Wait… what?Miss Jackson really did get divorced this morning… and now she’s back to get married?Her eyes widened in disbelief, but she kept smiling and professionally handed them the paperwork.Wow. Miss Jackson, you're bold.Of course, the clerk wasn’t clueless—she’d heard all about Larry Spencer and his scandals. The guy had mistresses all over the place. A complete jerk.If he could mess around however he wanted, why
Aria barely had time to react to his last joking comment—because as soon as Archer said he was taking her to meet his family, her nerves kicked in.She hadn’t expected that when he said he was bringing her home, he meant straight to his grandparents. Meeting the head of the Duncan family right away? That felt like… a lot.She was starting to panic.Even before her family fell apart—and even when she had never been married—she never dared dream of being introduced directly to the elder of a family like the Duncans. And now, after having gone through a marriage and divorce?“Mr. Duncan… I’ve never asked you this before, but… does your family really approve of you marrying me?”The Duncans weren’t just any family—they were old money, a real high-society dynasty. Archer, as the direct heir, could have had his pick of society’s most eligible women. And yet… he chose her.But why?“At the very least, my grandparents definitely approve,” Archer replied with a soft laugh. “Two years ago,
A flicker of emotion passed through Archer’s eyes, but he replied calmly, “I just got here.”He placed a dish in front of her—black pepper steak, her favorite.Aria smiled, her eyes curving slightly. This time, she didn’t say thank you. Instead, she picked up the tongs and placed a shrimp onto his plate, then happily dug into the steak on her own.The chef at this restaurant really knew their craft. The steak was tender and fresh, and even as she ate, Aria still remembered to maintain perfect table manners.Archer, seated across from her, simply watched in silence. Just watching her brought a quiet sense of peace.The meal didn’t take long. Aria had never been a big eater, and she finished off the lunch with a glass of sweet fruit juice.As they neared the end of the meal, Archer set down his utensils and asked, “Did anything upset you today? Did Larry or Lucy give you a hard time?”His tone was calm as always, but there was a trace of concern hidden beneath it.Aria gave a soft