CHAPTER 328
Mia's words quickly drew the attention of a growing crowd. Conflicts between the wealthy and the common folk often stirred public emotions, and it was no different now.
She felt a surge of confidence as she saw the disapproving gazes directed at Arianna and Xander.
Though she feared Xander, she knew he wouldn’t make a move in front of so many people. Her objective that day was clear: she needed to make sure Arianna wasn’t let off easily.
After all, Linda, her friend, still lay unconscious in the hospital. A life lost, no matter the circumstances, deserves justice.
Xander’s eyes, cold and fathomless, locked onto Mia’s. His gaze was intense, carrying an unspoken threat that made her uneasy.
Unable to withstand the weight of his stare for more than a few moments, Mia quickly looked away.
Then, Xander spoke, his voice ice-cold.
“The truth is what will decide whether my wife is at fault—not your baseless assumptions, the opinions of this crowd, or the judgments of faceless individuals hiding behind their screens.”
He took a slow, deliberate step forward.
“It’s the truth that will reveal whether my wife is guilty, not your assumptions, the opinions of those gathered here, or the accusations of anonymous voices online.”
His voice hardened, and every word was calculated.
“I trust my wife—Arianna—has a clear conscience about her actions. She will present the truth to the public.”
“And if it turns out she has wronged anyone, I will bear the full responsibility and accept whatever consequences come my way.”
His words echoed in the air, leaving the crowd silent. He had just publicly pledged to take full accountability, should Arianna be proven guilty of any wrongdoing.
Xander's presence towered over Arianna in both social standing and influence, yet his words revealed the unshakable trust he placed in her.
It was a trust that was undeniably moving.
Xander wasn’t just speaking for himself; he was representing the entire King family and the King Group. At that moment, he was risking it all to stand by her side.
Despite Mia’s attempt to provoke him, she found herself at a loss for words.
She parted her lips to respond, but no words emerged.
Xander’s steady gaze remained locked on her.
“Get lost.”
The crowd, already intimidated by his presence, quickly dispersed. Mia hesitated for just a moment, and though it was unclear whether it was shock or defeat, she too turned and walked away.
Xander moved swiftly to Arianna’s side. He kneeled down, his strong arms reaching out to gently lift her into his embrace, supporting her fragile frame.
As he held her close, he whispered softly in her ear,
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, Ari.”
If he had been there earlier, she wouldn’t have had to face all of this alone.
Arianna wasn’t the same fragile girl she used to be. The pain and humiliation of the attack hadn’t brought her to tears, not like it might have before.
But the second Xander whispered those words, something in her broke. A lump rose in her throat, and the words she wanted to say stuck in her chest.
She draped her arms around his neck, her forehead leaning softly against his as she shook her head.
He hadn’t been late. Not at all.
Xander gently scooped Arianna up in his arms, cradling her like a bride, and with steady strides, he moved toward the car parked nearby. The soft hum of the city faded as he reached the vehicle, carefully placing her in the front passenger seat. He made sure her seatbelt was fastened securely, then closed the door with a soft click.
He rounded the car, slid into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. The car rumbled to life, pulling smoothly away from the curb and into the traffic that sprawled out before them.
As the car moved farther down the road, Arianna’s breathing slowed, and the tension in her body began to ease. She sat in silence for a few moments, staring out of the window as the city blurred past them. Yet, something gnawed at her—a question that had been pressing at the back of her mind since the encounter.
She turned her head slightly to look at Xander, her voice barely above a whisper but full of uncertainty.
"Don’t you have even the slightest doubt... about whether I did what they’re accusing me of, Xander?"
Her eyes searched his face, looking for any hint of doubt, any sign of hesitation. She knew how the world viewed her now, but did he? Would he look at her differently after all the accusations? Or was his trust in her truly as unwavering as he had shown?
The weight of the accusations against Arianna hung heavily in the air, and she couldn’t help but wonder—how could anyone look at the evidence and not believe it? The public narrative painted her as a person willing to do anything to climb the social ladder, to sacrifice her integrity for fame and success. How could she possibly convince anyone of the truth?
But then Xander’s voice cut through the fog of her thoughts, steady and unwavering. “I don’t.”
“Why?”
The car slowed as they reached a red light, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space between them. Xander’s eyes flickered to her for a moment, a small, reassuring smile playing at the corners of his lips. He turned slightly in his seat, facing her fully.
"Do you remember that night you were up late, working alone in the study?" he began, his voice soft but certain. "You were so exhausted that you fell asleep right there at the desk. I carried you to the room, and when I looked at your notes, it was clear—you weren’t just working. You were chasing something, something bigger than just success."
Arianna’s chest tightened, the memory surfacing like a distant echo. That night, she had been consumed by the vision of her dreams, driven by something far more profound than a desire for fame or fortune. It was a hunger to build something meaningful, something true. She had been so caught up in her pursuit that she hadn’t realized how exhausted she had become.
Xander continued, his words piercing through her doubts.
“You would never tarnish your integrity for fame. That’s not who you are.”
Her heart swelled with a mix of relief and gratitude.
He believed in her. He understood her, and not just on a surface level. He saw the person she truly was, not the distorted version painted by the media.
And when he had stood by her earlier, facing the crowd with such unshakeable confidence, she knew—no matter what the world thought, Xander would always stand with her. He would always trust her.
As they neared the hotel where Xander had planned to stay for the night, he glanced over at her again. His hand reached out, briefly resting on hers.
"I don’t want to take you home tonight. Not yet. It’s not about hiding. It’s about making sure you’re okay, and I know my mother would be worried. She’s always concerned about you."
Arianna nodded, her heart a little lighter, but her thoughts still swirling with the weight of everything that had happened. She had one person who would always be by her side, no matter what. And right now, that was enough to carry her through the storm.
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