Chapter 4

Ariana didn't understand much about business, but she knew that ever since she married Spencer, the Lubove family's wealth had at least tripled. Yet, Kieran was still unsatisfied.

After putting down her cutlery, Ariana stood up. "I'm done eating, so I'll be going home now. Please carry on."

Kieran shouted at her back, "Don't forget about what your grandmother said to you before she passed!"

Ariana's back stiffened for a few seconds. Then, she walked away.

When she got to the hospital, she received an unexpected call from Joanne.

At first, she didn't want to answer the unfamiliar number. But the persistent ringing got on her nerves, so she relented and took the call.

As soon as the call connected, Joanne's sobbing voice came through, "Dr. Lubove, please come quickly! Spence is injured!"

Ariana rushed over and found that Spencer's hand had already been bandaged.

When Spencer saw her, he frowned and questioned, "Why are you here?"

Ariana glanced at Joanne and didn't answer him. Instead, she asked, "What happened?"

"Mr. Ulrich got hurt protecting me." Joanne sobbed beside him. "There was so much blood."

Spencer said with a smile, "It's nothing. It's just a small injury. I'll be fine in a few days."

With a frown, Ariana asked steadily, "Have you been checked? Are your bones and ligaments okay? If it's a wound due to a metal object, you'll also need a tetanus shot."

Joanne sniffled and said, "Dr. Lubove, you're so calm. I'm not like you. I didn't know what to do when I saw Mr. Ulrich get hurt. I was so worried…"

Spencer looked at Ariana. Her eyes were clear, and her expression was indifferent. She showed no sign of concern.

In the end, Spencer followed Ariana to the hospital for a checkup. Fortunately, his bones and ligaments were unharmed.

Joanne's tears fell again. "Thank goodness. If something happened to you, I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life. I'd rather it was me who got hurt."

"I'm here. I won't let you get hurt," Spencer consoled her. "Stop crying. We'll have a nice meal later."

"If everything is fine, you can leave now." Ariana stood up. "I have a meeting to attend."

She turned and left.

Joanne watched her back and asked Spencer, "Is Dr. Lubove angry?"

"Don't overthink it," Spencer replied, standing up.

As soon as he stepped out of the consultation room, he saw Jensen coming out of another room and casually draping his arm over Ariana's shoulder.

"Ariana!" Spencer called out to her, his voice icy.

Ariana stopped but didn't turn around.

Jensen, however, looked back at him. "Oh, what a surprise. What brings you to our hospital, Mr. Ulrich?"

He then turned to Ariana and asked, "Is he here for you?"

With his arm around her shoulders, it seemed as if he was about to kiss her cheek from a distance. Spencer's expression soured as he strode over and pulled Jensen's arm away.

Jensen cried out in pain, clutching his arm.

Ariana immediately held his arm and glared at Spencer. "What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" Spencer's voice was as cold as ice. "Have you forgotten that you're married? The way you're holding each other… Do you know what it looked like?"

"What did it look like?" Jensen sneered. "When you barged in with another woman in your arms, did you remember you're a married man? Why is it that you can get away with anything while we get screamed at even when we did nothing?"

Spencer stared daggers at him and answered seethingly, "This is between Ariana and me. It has nothing to do with you."

"I—"

"Jen," Ariana interrupted Jensen just as he was about to retort.

She then turned to Spencer. "Do you have any other business?"

Since childhood, Ariana had always addressed Jensen by his nickname, "Jen". It was an indicator of their very close friendship.

Spencer's face darkened. "When a husband and wife are talking, a reasonably tactful person would be smart enough to leave them alone."

Jensen was about to snap back at Spencer, but Ariana tugged at him again. He scoffed disdainfully and walked away. Despite his hot temper, Ariana could always calm him with a look or a gesture.

Frustration and annoyance gnawed at Spencer's heart. "From now on, you'll be the one to change the dressing on my hand."

The dressing on his hand needed to be changed every two days.

Ariana raised an eyebrow. "Will you be coming to the hospital for it?"

"No." Spencer's eyes were cold. "Change it for me at home."

Just then, Joanne came out of the room and stood beside him. "Dr. Lubove, don't you have a meeting to attend?"

Ariana smiled. "Yes, I do. Goodbye."

Spencer's eyes were trained on Ariana's retreating back, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

Joanne felt uneasy upon seeing his expression. She quickly held his arm and asked, "Shall we head back?"

…

During the meeting, Ariana seemed distracted.

Jensen, who was seated next to her, tapped her folder. "What are you thinking about?"

Ariana smiled and shook her head. She knew very well that she couldn't tell Jensen some things. With how hot-headed Jensen was, he might get into a fight with Spencer.

…

Two days later, Ariana went home early after work because Spencer's dressing needed changing that day. However, she waited until 9:00 pm, and he still had yet to return.

Apparently, he had only said those words on a whim. Yet, she had taken them seriously and waited like a fool.

Ariana smiled self-mockingly. Just as she finished showering and was drying her hair, she heard sounds coming from the entrance.

Spencer had returned. He walked in, unbuttoning his sleeves—the bandage on his hand was fresh.

Thinking he wouldn't come back, Ariana hadn't worn her usual adorable nightwear. Instead, she wore a black silk camisole nightgown, which contrasted greatly against her strikingly fair skin.

As she was about to sleep, she didn't have any extra accessories adorning her simple and sleek silhouette. Her cascading auburn hair, delicate collarbones, and the slight hint of her curves beneath her nightgown made her look incredibly alluring.

Spencer's gaze became heated as it fell on her. She looked especially seductive that night compared to when she wore cute pajamas. His Adam's apple bobbed as he pulled her into his arms.

"You must've missed me a lot to dress like this."

Ariana found his words funny. She had dressed like this because she thought he wouldn't be coming home.

His hands that were on her waist became increasingly warm.

Ariana pushed against his chest and asked, "Did you change the dressing?"

Spencer kissed her earlobe. "Are you that concerned about me?"

"You said you wanted me to change it at home."

Spencer paused briefly before saying, "I forgot."

Ariana had something to say, but he gripped her chin impatiently. "You should focus at a time like this."

After that, she couldn't say another word. Even her moans were punctuated by his rigorous movements. The silk nightgown she wore for the first time in his presence was torn to pieces. It fell limply and helplessly to the ground.

Spencer ravished her for an hour or two.

Ariana fell into an exhausted sleep, still wondering if Spencer had liked that nightgown.

In a groggy state after sleeping for an unknown time, she heard the phone ringing. She could barely open her eyes. Her vision was hazy as she looked at Spencer answering the call.

"Alright, don't cry. I'll be there right away."