CHAPTER 340
Ronald’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he pressed the gas pedal. He knew any delay could make the situation spiral out of control, and the consequences might be irreversible.
As he drove, he glanced at Arianna through the rearview mirror, his tone laced with urgency.
“Mrs. King, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Mr. King, but I have to say this—he truly loves you. He’s done so much for you, more than you realize. Even if he made a mistake, maybe you could try to see where he’s coming from.”
Having worked closely with Xander for years, Ronald had witnessed the man’s usually impenetrable exterior. Xander was calculated, decisive, and logical to a fault—sometimes appearing more like a machine than a man with emotions.
But Arianna was the exception.
Ronald had seen Xander make choices that defied all reason, all to protect her. He’d watched Xander put everything on the line, even in situations where the stakes were astronomical. For a man like Xander King to cast logic aside? That was no small thing.
The loyalty and devotion Xander displayed toward Arianna had even moved Ronald—a seasoned professional not easily swayed by sentiment.
Arianna, seated in the back, remained silent, her expression unreadable. Ronald mistook her quiet demeanour for indifference and sighed, preparing to continue his heartfelt plea, when his phone suddenly buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, noting the name immediately.
“It’s Mr. King,” he muttered, before answering and switching to speakerphone.
“Mr. King,” Ronald greeted, his tone crisp yet cautious, knowing full well that Xander would want an update immediately.
Xander’s cold, commanding voice echoed through the speaker.
“Take her to Haven Medical Center and ensure her admission is handled immediately.”
The ‘her’ he referred to was unmistakably Arianna.
The mention of Haven Medical Center sent a jolt through Ronald. The facility wasn’t just a hospital—it was a place shrouded in secrecy, known among the elite as a high-security psychiatric institution. While its official purpose was to provide top-tier care, its real reputation was that of a gilded cage, a place where people disappeared under the guise of treatment.
Ronald’s mind raced with confusion and disbelief.
Was Xander truly considering sending Arianna there?
The thought was incomprehensible. Whatever had transpired between the two must have been far more severe than he could fathom.
Why had everything escalated so quickly?
Swallowing his unease, Ronald hesitated before speaking, his voice cautious.
“Mr. King… Are you sure about this? I mean, isn’t this just a misunderstanding—a typical argument that could be resolved if given sometime? Surely there’s no need to go to such extremes?”
His words hung in the air, but Xander’s silence on the other end only amplified Ronald’s concern.
Ronald couldn't help but check the rearview mirror while talking to Arianna.
"Mrs. King, why not just apologize to Mr. King? A few kind words could help. The place he’s thinking of sending you to isn’t exactly a walk in the park."
He knew that leaving Haven Medical Center wouldn’t be easy.
What threw him off was Arianna’s reaction. Instead of freaking out, she looked completely calm. She even smiled and said,
“Just do what your boss says, Mr. Crawford.”
Ronald was taken aback by her response.
Did she just say that? Was he hearing things?
Before he could process it, Arianna turned her attention to her phone and spoke cheerfully,
"I knew you’d get it, hubby! You always have a knack for figuring out what I’m thinking".
Arianna's tone was playful, but there was a serious edge that was hard to ignore.
"Xander," she said with assurance.
"I just hope everything turns out okay, and I swear—I won’t disappoint you. I need you to trust me, no matter what comes our way."
Her upbeat tone left both Ronald and Xander momentarily speechless.
But Arianna had her agenda. Going to Haven Medical Center was the perfect chance for her to get closer to the girl. She needed a reason to be there, and this was as good as any.
The public spat with Xander also played to her advantage. It would stir up enough gossip to divert attention from the SVD Group. The drama from their argument could buy Xander’s company some time to think things through, while also allowing her to accomplish her goals.
For Arianna, the potential benefits outweighed the risks.
In other words, she could achieve two goals with one move.
Arianna hadn’t brought it up with Xander earlier because she knew that once the incident hit the internet, it would stir a frenzy among onlookers. Her bigger concern, however, was that Xander might refuse out of his unwillingness to let her face any backlash. She had decided to act first and explain her reasoning later.
Thankfully, Xander had grasped her intentions and went along with her plan seamlessly.
His deep, warm voice came through the phone, calm yet filled with concern.
“Be careful, Arianna. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“Got it, hubby!” she replied playfully, trying to lighten the mood.
After a brief silence, guilt crept into her tone as she added,
“About earlier… When I slapped you—did it hurt? Make sure to use a cold compress, okay?”
“No, it didn't hurt. I'm fine,” Xander reassured her softly.
He had taken it willingly, every word and every strike, because if it helped her achieve what she needed, he would accept it all without hesitation.
Her actions were, at the very least, a small form of retribution for everything he had done to her.
Arianna knew how much effort Xander had put into making their performance believable. She thought about it for a moment, then said with genuine sincerity,
“When all of this is over, I promise I’ll make it up to you properly. You’ve earned it! Mwah!”
“Mm,” Xander replied coolly.
Then, after a brief pause, his voice came again—slightly awkward but endearing.
“…Mwah.”
Ronald, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, was dumbfounded.
It turned out that the entire situation had been a carefully orchestrated act between the two of them, and he had been the only one clueless enough to take it seriously.
Watching the couple share their oddly tender moment, Ronald felt the sting of being a single man stuck in the middle of their dynamic.
With a long sigh, he resolved to demand a raise from Xander. If he had to endure more of their affectionate antics, he deserved to be compensated—or he might just hand in his resignation!
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