Chapter Five
868 Words
Scarlett’s eyes sparkled as she replied, “Yeah, I know—you told me that on our call this morning!”
Alex nodded in satisfaction.
At the press conference…
Alex, looking every bit the polished executive, sat beside Scarlett and addressed the room: “Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down. I’d like to clarify this morning’s entertainment scandal. I was simply escorting a friend to register her marriage, not, as rumors suggest, registering with someone else.”
He continued, “My relationship with Scarlett has always been strong. I ask that you not jump to conclusions or try to sabotage our bond; otherwise, I will take legal action to protect my rights. Now, let’s take your questions.”
Immediately, reporters fired off questions. “Miss Scarlett, do you truly believe Alex’s explanation? Or is it possible, as some online claim, that he’s juggling multiple relationships and you’re oblivious to it?”
Scarlett offered a slight smile. “Alex and I have always had a good relationship. He explained everything to me. He was only helping a college friend’s girlfriend out of goodwill. I trust him, and I hope you will too.”
With that, the press conference painted Scarlett and Alex as an affectionate, united couple.
After the briefing ended, as Scarlett rose, she suddenly noticed Maxwell’s assistant mingling among the reporters.
Her heart skipped a beat—she’d been playing the part of the loving partner with Alex before the media. Surely that wouldn’t upset Maxwell, right?
Once the press conference concluded, Scarlett hurried off to the design department to work on her design files.
Midway through, Alex called requesting the latest design files. While delivering them, Scarlett discreetly attached a tiny hidden camera to one of her shirt buttons before handing over the package.
Later that evening, around 7 PM, just as Maxwell’s assistant arrived to pick Scarlett up, she was still engrossed in her work.
On receiving the call, she quickly made her way downstairs.
When the car door opened, she was met with the sight of Maxwell sitting in the back seat.
Startled for a moment, she hurried in, exclaiming, “Mr. Stone, you’re here!”
Maxwell glanced at her with a wry, playful look and remarked coolly, “We’re about to celebrate our wedding night—are you sure you still want to call me ‘Mr. Stone’?”
Scarlett’s face flushed deeper. “Th-then, ” she stammered, her cheeks burning.
Maxwell raised an eyebrow.
Scarlett blushed even more. “H-hubby?”
Maxwell’s eyes twinkled as he replied, “Precisely.”
Scarlett kept her gaze lowered, her neck still burning with embarrassment, though she couldn’t discern any warmth in Maxwell’s steady, unreadable stare. She remained silent, head bowed like a bashful snail.
After a moment, Maxwell broke the silence with a thoughtful tone, “I heard that you and Alex appeared inseparable today?”
Scarlett stiffened and quickly looked up, her face turning scarlet as she hurried to explain, “It wasn’t real—I was just acting!”
Maxwell’s expression remained indifferent. “I recall you even snapped photos of Alex and that other woman leaving the county clerk’s office.”
Scarlett’s face darkened and her voice filled with bitter resentment, “That wasn’t enough! Simply tarnishing his reputation as a heartless playboy doesn’t quench the fire of my own betrayal.”
When she loves, it’s genuine; when she hates, it’s equally sincere.
Maxwell raised his eyebrow slightly without another word, silently defining Scarlett in his mind as strong-willed, stubborn, and passionately divided between love and hate. Clearly, if she intended to exact revenge with her own hands, he’d be reluctant to step in too soon.
Later that evening, after dinner, Maxwell took Scarlett straight to his private penthouse suite on the top floor.
Upon opening the door, Scarlett was greeted by a bed strewn with fiery red rose petals. Her face immediately turned as red as a ripe tomato. “This is…” she began in awe.
Maxwell stepped inside and announced, “The assistant arranged the décor for our wedding night ritual!”
Flushed, Scarlett quickly shut the door behind her as she entered.
Without delay, Maxwell casually began undressing. “I’m heading for a shower—any objections?”
Scarlett shook her head vigorously, leaning against the wall like a timid turtle. “None at all!”
Bare-chested, Maxwell walked toward the bathroom door, then suddenly turned back to look at Scarlett, “Are you… feeling shy?”
Scarlett, summoning courage from nowhere, stiffened and replied stubbornly, “I’m not!”
Maxwell couldn’t resist teasing, “Then why is your face so red?”
Scarlett blushed furiously, momentarily at a loss for words.
At that moment, Maxwell’s phone rang abruptly, breaking the intimate atmosphere.
He glanced at it—it was Song’s call once again.
Frowning slightly, he said, “I need to step out for a moment.”
Scarlett was taken aback. Was Maxwell upset?
Then again, she had been the one who suggested registering our marriage—securing a way out for herself. Now that we’re legal, Maxwell had promised to fulfill all our marital obligations.
Her current shyness, she thought, was only making things more vexing.
- Writer
