CHAPTER 179
Ronald handed Mr Cole over to him. After brushing off his hands, Ronald straightened his clothes and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, Ronald felt a hand clutching his thigh.
Ronald stopped and glanced down.
It was Simon, staring up with a look of utter disbelief and confusion. Trembling, he asked, “Mr. Crawford, is Arianna married to Mr. King?”
He couldn’t wrap his mind around it!
He had arranged for Arianna to marry a reclusive, wealthy man who never appeared in public. How could that person have been Xander?
Was he dreaming?
Ronald's expression hardened as he looked at Simon with disdain.
The actions of Simon and Margaret had thoroughly disgusted Ronald, and he felt deep sympathy for Arianna for having such parents. If Arianna hadn’t been so resilient, she would have been utterly shattered.
Ronald opened his mouth, but instead of addressing Simon’s question, he coldly uttered, “You fool.”
Simon had squandered his chance to truly become Xander’s father-in-law, and now that opportunity was forever lost!
The consequences of his actions were clear.
Without another word, Ronald gave Simon a dismissive kick and walked away.
…
In the conference room.
When Alan arrived and saw Arianna emerging, he quickly assessed her and felt a wave of relief upon realizing she was unharmed.
He had initially planned to be present at the scene, but given that he was among those rumoured to be romantically involved with Arianna, his appearance might only exacerbate the misunderstandings. Consequently, he stayed back at the hotel, following the live broadcast.
However, the feed abruptly froze midway, and when he tried to reconnect, the screen went black and remained unresponsive.
Anxious about Arianna potentially being overwhelmed by the reporters and her parents, he feared for her safety. Without hesitation, he sped off, running through several red lights in a frantic rush to get to her.
Alan felt a wave of relief wash over him when he saw that Arianna was safe.
Just as he was about to approach her, his steps faltered when he noticed the man standing protectively by her side. He hadn’t seen Xander arrive due to the live broadcast interruption. It was clear now that Xander had handled the reporters and ensured Arianna's safety.
As if sensing Alan’s gaze, Xander’s dark eyes shifted towards him. Alan saw Xander's grip around Arianna's waist tighten just slightly, a subtle gesture of possessiveness.
The gesture was both a silent warning and a clear sign of exclusive claim.
With a team of black-clad bodyguards surrounding them, Xander and Arianna quickly made their way out of the hotel, entered their car, and drove away.
Alan watched from the doorway as the car disappeared down the street.
A reporter emerged from the conference room, chatting with a colleague. “I never expected Arianna to remarry Xander. I’m still reeling from the shock.”
“Tell me about it. The public breakup two years ago is still fresh in our minds. Back then, there was a poll on which wealthy couple was least likely to reunite, and Xander and Arianna topped the list. It feels surreal to think about it now.”
"Married?"
Alan’s fists tightened involuntarily, his arms hanging rigidly by his sides.
Arianna was married?
And Xander was her husband?
…
Even after the car had been driving for a while, Arianna remained in a daze, her gaze fixed vacantly ahead.
Next to her, Xander watched her profile with a faint, subtle smile. He chose not to speak, giving her space to process the events.
The car left the crowded city streets and merged onto the open highway, where the traffic was much lighter.
Arianna eventually shook off the shock and turned her gaze toward Xander, who was driving.
She studied his sharp jawline, his thick eyebrows, his prominent nose, and his slender lips. For nearly half a minute, she scrutinized him to make sure that the man before her was truly Xander.
If he weren’t focused on driving, she might have reached out to touch his face, just to confirm he wasn’t wearing a disguise.
Why had he come to her aid?
Xander seemed to sense her confusion and spoke with a hint of amusement, “Have you finished confirming that it’s me?”
That voice unmistakably belonged to Xander.
Arianna bit her lip and, after a moment’s hesitation, asked softly, “Xander… Why did you come to help me today?”
Xander had assisted her before, such as when she was sick or in trouble at the police station, but it always seemed to be out of concern for Grandma King.
Was Grandma King the reason he had stepped in once more?
Xander had the means to handle everything discreetly and had no obligation to protect her reputation or reveal their marriage publicly.
As Arianna contemplated the situation, her heart thudded wildly in her chest. She focused intently on Xander’s expression, resolute in her desire to catch even the slightest flicker of his feelings.
A mix of anxiety and anticipation coursed through her veins.
Xander’s fingers clenched the steering wheel, his demeanor shifting slightly. A subtle smile danced at the corners of his mouth as he replied with an air of mystery, “I couldn’t simply remain idle after your heartfelt request. After all, I am your husband.”
Arianna was taken aback by his response.
She stared at him in astonishment, blinking several times before she managed to speak.
“Me? Pleading with you?”
After a moment’s pause, Arianna couldn't help but raise her voice slightly. “When did I ever beg you?”
She had no recollection of such a thing!
Xander didn’t seem surprised by her reaction. His smile deepened, but instead of providing a direct answer, he replied,
“You’ll need to recall it on your own.”
