CHAPTER 240
Arianna slipped into the light green dress and stood in front of the full-length mirror. She had to admit, the soft green shade made her skin look even more radiant. Her slender neck, delicate shoulders, and graceful collarbone were beautifully exposed, enhancing the dress's feminine elegance. The outfit added a subtle sensuality to her gentle appearance.
It had been a long time since she’d dressed up so elegantly, and as she admired herself in the mirror, her spirits lifted. Twirling slightly, she thought about how Xander might react when he saw her.
Feeling a bit self-conscious yet excited, she headed out of the dressing room toward where Xander was sitting.
He was standing by the window, engrossed in a phone call, his back turned toward the door. As she approached, she cleared her throat softly to signal her presence.
Xander turned his head slightly, glancing at her before turning back to the window, continuing his conversation as if he hadn't noticed her at all.
Arianna’s heart sank. The excitement she’d felt moments before deflated, leaving her feeling unsure.
*Did he not like the dress? Was that why he barely looked at me?*
Her confidence wavered, and she suddenly felt the need to retreat. Without saying anything, she began walking back toward the dressing room to change.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Xander’s deep voice called out suddenly.
Arianna paused and looked up to find him facing her now, his phone call finished. His dark eyes studied her intently.
She bit her lip, feeling a bit flustered. “You didn’t seem impressed, Mr. King. I figured you didn’t like the dress, so I was going to change. I wouldn’t want to be an eyesore.”
Xander frowned slightly, but then a playful smile tugged at his lips. “Who said you didn’t look good?” he asked, his tone growing slightly cold.
"Your reaction did," Arianna muttered, recalling the way Xander had barely glanced at her earlier. The first reaction was always the most genuine, wasn’t it?
Xander said nothing in response. Instead, he took long strides toward her, wrapped his arms around her, and before she could react, his lips were on hers in a sudden, unexpected kiss.
Arianna’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t anticipated that at all. Once she gathered her thoughts, she quickly pushed against his chest.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
With his forehead pressed against hers, Xander locked eyes with her, his voice deep and rough as he spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.
"I'm showing you just how beautiful you are with my reaction."
He paused, letting the words sink in. "I was just trying to finish my call quickly so I could give you my full attention and tell you how stunning you look."
Arianna blinked, completely taken off guard by his sweet words. Who said Xander wasn’t capable of being romantic? He was proving to be quite the smooth talker.
She tried to maintain her composure, but the corners of her lips betrayed her, curving into a smile.
Clearing her throat in an attempt to hide it, she asked, "Do I really… look that good?"
Xander released her from his embrace, his gaze unwavering. He nodded, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"Yes, you do."
After a brief pause, Xander added, “The dress looks good because *you* look good in anything.”
Most people believed that clothes made the person, but he was turning the saying around, implying she was the one who made the dress beautiful.
Arianna couldn’t hold back her smile any longer. Her lips curled into a beaming grin, and even her eyebrows arched with joy.
In the end, Xander purchased every piece of clothing Arianna had tried on, plus a few more that she hadn’t even looked at. He arranged for them to be delivered directly to the villa.
Arianna’s plan to be frugal and save him some money was utterly foiled.
What could she do about it? Xander was simply too wealthy.
...
As the car came to a stop in front of the hospital, Arianna glanced at Xander and said,
“I’m going to go in now. Just be careful while driving.”
She unfastened her seatbelt and reached for the door, only to find it still locked.
Frowning, she turned to him. “Is there a problem?”
Xander’s expression softened as he met her eyes, his voice gentle and earnest.
I have something important that I need to discuss with you.
Arianna was taken aback. After all he had already done for her, what else could he possibly offer?
“What is it?”
Xander reached into his suit’s inner pocket, retrieved his wallet, and pulled out a sleek card. Taking her hand gently, he placed the card into her palm.
Arianna glanced down at the card now resting in her hand, curiosity piqued.
Arianna’s eyes widened as she stared at the custom bank card Xander handed her. His name was engraved on it, a card that signified access to his entire wealth and assets.
She looked down at the card in her hand, feeling the sudden weight of it as if it were heavy enough to hold mountains of gold. Her mind blanked as she struggled to comprehend the significance of what she was holding.
“X-Xander… What does this mean?” she stammered. “Are you giving me this card?”
Xander’s gaze held hers, steady and sincere. “Yes.”
*Oh my god.*
That card was essentially the key to every asset he owned. She blinked, trying to process why he would do such a thing.
*What had gotten into him today?*
Was this even the same Xander? Even at the peak of their relationship, he had never been so willing to give away something so personal, so powerful.
There had to be a reason behind his actions.
Arianna stood frozen, staring at the card, her mind racing. Without thinking, her hand trembled as she reached out to touch Xander’s forehead.
Normal temperature. No fever.
Xander watched her, amused, but his tone remained gentle. “You don’t have to worry about money anymore. Use this when you need it.”
He wanted to lift her financial worries so she wouldn’t have to stress about making ends meet or living on a tight budget like she had for so long. They had both agreed on starting fresh, aiming for a happy life together, and for him, that meant taking care of her in every possible way.
However, giving her access to all his wealth was something she never imagined, especially after he had previously accused her of being interested in his money.
The surprise hit her hard, and before she could think it through, she exclaimed,
“Xander, aren’t you… worried I might just take all your money and disappear?”
The warmth in his gaze faded instantly, and the gentle smile he had was replaced by an unexpected tension that filled the room.
