Connor stood aside and chuckled dubiously.Spencer said nothing. He carefully lifted Ariana out of the car and placed her in the wheelchair.Just as he was about to push her, Joanne stepped forward. "Let me do it."Pushing the wheelchair, she said to Spencer, "I'll take Ari up. You can wait for me in the lobby, okay?"Too tired to mind the situation, Ariana remained silent.Joanne pushed her into the elevator.Once inside, Joanne wasted no time. "Ari, I hope you don't get any wrong ideas. Spence is just a righteous person. Him helping you doesn't mean he has feelings for you."Ariana scoffed. "You've really embraced the role of a mistress pridefully, haven't you?"Joanne's face flushed with anger, but she took a deep breath. "I will marry Spence. I'll wait for him."Ariana closed her eyes.Joanne continued, "He bought me a set of emerald jewelry at the auction the other day. Do you know how much it cost?"Ariana opened her eyes and saw the smugness in Joanne's gaze.She sai
Ariana had already made up her mind. If those people at the auction failed to recognize the true value of Sienna's dress, she would secretly bid on it herself.After all, Spencer had said that she could spend his money.If he could splurge on expensive emerald jewelry for a mistress, then it surely wasn't too much for her to buy a dress.She decided to bid as high as possible to secure Sienna's dress.Besides, she genuinely liked the dress.If not for her ankle injury, Sienna had even considered having her model it on stage.While Sienna was busy making final adjustments to the dress, Ariana decided to sneak off to the bathroom to tend to her wounds.Originally, they weren't staying together. But since Spencer hadn't returned, Sienna had Ariana stay over, so she could take care of her.Just as Ariana was about to move, there was a knock at the door.She went to open it and found Spencer standing there.Sienna asked, "Who is it?""It's Spencer," Ariana replied. "I'll step out
Spencer rescued her and even applied medicine for her.He lifted her leg to examine the plaster on her ankle. "I told you. Nothing happens 'naturally.' So, Mrs. Ulrich, have you thought about how you're going to repay me?""What?" Ariana was puzzled. "Repay you for what?""They say a life-saving debt can't be repaid… How does it go again?"Ariana responded, "A life-saving debt can't be repaid, but I'll be at your beck and call in the next life, okay?"Spencer tapped her lightly. "Ariana, are you doing this on purpose?"Ariana kicked her leg playfully. "You're such a pervert!"So, that was why Spencer was being so nice to her.He had ulterior motives all along."Desire is natural," Spencer said, holding her kicking foot and kissing her delicate sole. "Mrs. Ulrich, it's time for you to fulfill your duties."Ariana grew solemn. "Where have you been sleeping these past few nights?""Ariana," Spencer said, kissing her ankle and trailing upward. "You sound jealous.""I told you.
Sienna had previously pursued fashion design for fun.After all, her family had been wealthy. She did it as a hobby rather than as a livelihood.However, her talent in this field was undeniable.At 16 years old, she made a splash in the world of fashion design with an evening gown that blended historical and contemporary elements.Afterward, she faded from the fashion scene. Many unaware critics labeled her as past her prime without knowing the truth.In fact, Sienna had spent more time studying fashion.Her designs reflected a pure and clear-minded aesthetic that captivated observers with their inherent beauty and elegance.Her latest evening gown was the pinnacle of simplicity yet exuded nobility and grace through meticulous details.As the model stepped onto the auction stage, bidding paddles flew up nonstop.Typically, a garment without precious jewels would fetch tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions. It was considered a good price.If adorned with jewels,
The dress eventually sold for a sky-high price of two million dollars.After leaving the auction venue, Ariana headed to the restroom, waiting for Sienna to complete her paperwork.As soon as she stepped out of the cubicle, she spotted Joanne touching up her makeup outside."Ari." Noticing her, Joanne flashed her a sweet smile. "You're here, too. I'm sure you know Spence bought Ms. Jones' design as a gift for me, right?"Ariana replied faintly, "Congratulations.""Oh, it's nothing. I told him I didn't want it, but he insisted on buying it for me."Thinking of something, Ariana chuckled and asked, "Did Spence only buy emerald for you before this? Didn't you ask him for anything else?"Of course, Joanne had requested gifts from Spencer. But he didn't pay her any attention.She still didn't understand why Ariana kept bringing this up, but she sensed something was amiss.She would never allow herself to appear weak in front of Ariana. "Of course, he bought me other things, too. Sp
When Sienna came out, Spencer and Joanne had already left.She saw Ariana and immediately asked, "Ari, why did you increase the bid?"During the procedures, Sienna didn't know who the buyer was, nor did she recognize the voice of the bidder, which turned out to be Spencer's.Ariana smiled. "Because I like your dress, of course. I feel it's worth that price," she answered truthfully. She genuinely liked the dress and didn't want to see Joanne wearing it.But in the end, Spencer outbid everyone and secured the dress.Their overseas trip came to a close.Sienna didn't know about Ariana's terrifying experience outside the bar. She didn't get to watch The Gentlemen Show either. So, she was eager to go.She was very excited about it, and Ariana didn't want to dampen her mood. Hence, they headed straight there.However, Ariana didn't expect to encounter Gerald at the bar.Gerald looked surprised when he saw them. "Ari? Are you two here for the show, too?"Since Ariana made up he
Ariana then said, "Mr. Kirkland, I'm sure you haven't experienced the anguish of being pressured by your family into an arranged marriage.""Pressured? Anguish?" Gerald was greatly shocked. "If the person I'm supposed to marry is a goddess like you, I wouldn't feel anguish at all. It would be a huge stroke of luck. I'd wake up laughing in my dreams!"This time, Ariana genuinely laughed at his joke.Just then, Spencer entered and saw Ariana laughing cheerfully at Gerald.His last gathering here ended abruptly due to Ariana's accident.Since his work was also coming to a close, his friends invited him here once again to meet up.He hadn't expected to run into Ariana again.This time, she wasn't in any danger. But seeing her sitting across from another man with a charming and radiant smile, he felt even more furious.Spencer walked directly past Joanne and his friends and strode toward Ariana.Joanne wanted to follow, but Connor held her back and shook his head at her.Joanne im
Spencer had no idea if it was because of Ariana's smile or words, but he felt his heart contract slightly. However, he soon came back to his senses and sneered. "Jealous? Ariana, are you drunk? Why would you say nonsense like this?"He didn't even spare Ariana a chance to speak and simply wheeled her wheelchair out. Sienna pulled Spencer's hand. "Spencer Ulrich, can you show some respect to Ari? You can come out to have fun. Why can't she do the same?""I respect her." Spencer paused. "But why don't you ask her if she can keep herself safe? Get your hand off me!"Sienna widened her eyes as she confronted him. "Why can't she? I'll protect her! Mr. Kirkland can, too! I won't let you go!"Sienna didn't know about what had happened the night before.Ariana patted Sienna's hand to comfort her. Then, she looked at Spencer."It was an accident. I'm going back in a while. There's no need to trouble you, Mr. Ulrich."Gerald offered, "I can send these two pretty ladies back to the hot