Chapter 9
“Lucy isn’t that kind of person…”
Larry tried to explain, his face growing pale. Marcus frowned and interrupted his childish defense.
“Enough. Regardless of what kind of person Lucy is, you need to remember that not just anyone can be the Spencer family’s
daughter–in–law.
“You and Aria cannot divorce. Everyone in our circles knows your wife is Aria, and the Spencer family has built marketing campaigns around her as our daughter–in–law. Aria is now tied to the Spencer name. After a divorce, both the stock market and the public would become suspicious, affecting our company’s stock price.
“Once our stock price is affected, our competitors will dig up your scandals. Larry, do you think your reputation can withstand
scrutiny?”
Aria had been invited to Bulgari and other luxury brand events through her friend Christina. Those photos and videos had trended online, and she had been pursued by fans for her striking beauty and unique charm. When Spencer Corp claimed her as their
CEO’s wife, their stock price rose as a result.
Some people even referred to Spencer Corp as “the company with the gorgeous CEO’s wife.”
If Larry and Aria were to separate, it would definitely impact Spencer Corp.
Larry’s father didn’t care how many lovers his son had. His only concern was anything that might affect the Spencer Group.
And was Larry’s reputation clean?
Was Lucy’s?
If they divorced, scandalous stories about both of them would likely spread everywhere.
Larry paused, frowning slightly before saying, “I don’t want a divorce. I’ll talk to Aria and clear things up.”
Marcus nodded, moving past the topic.
“Did you see Archer Duncan tonight?” Marcus asked, getting to his main concern.
“No, I didn’t. Perhaps the Duncan family had something that delayed him. Archer never appeared.”
Larry was genuinely disappointed about missing Archer.
“If you didn’t see him, nobody else did either. We’ll find another opportunity.” Marcus was pragmatic, offering this consolation.
Larry acknowledged with a nod.
After his parents left, Larry opened the wine cabinet and selected a bottle of red wine. While letting it breathe, many images
flashed through his mind.
1/4
His early days with Aria–of course he had cared for her. It was precisely because he cared that he couldn’t easily forgive her for
what happened to Linda.
Since she was now tied to the Spencer family, she shouldn’t think about leaving, ever.
His eyes flickered as he drained his wine glass.
When he returned to the master bedroom, it was already after midnight. The room was empty–Aria wasn’t there.
After asking the housemaid, he learned that Aria was sleeping in the guest room.
They were husband and wife, yet she chose to sleep in the guest room?
What was she playing at?
He pushed open the guest room door. Aria was already deep in sleep. On the sofa lay the blue dress she had worn to the hospital. He recognized it as the latest design from a top luxury brand.
The window wasn’t fully closed, allowing a gentle breeze to scatter her faint perfume. Her exposed arm was slender and fair,
though her wrist still bore the purple marks from when he had grabbed her.
Larry’s Adam’s apple bobbed as his dark eyes deepened.
He walked step by step toward Aria and sat at the bedside. He couldn’t help reaching out to touch her face, but withdrew his hand
just before making contact.
Never mind.
He would discuss those matters when she was awake.
Larry stared at her for a few seconds with complicated emotions, then turned off the light and left the guest room.
As the door closed, Aria’s eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.
In the darkness, her expression was hidden, but the sound of a soft sigh could be heard.
Early the next morning, after washing up, Aria came downstairs to see that Larry hadn’t left for work yet.
He was absently pushing his food around with his knife and fork. The fried egg on his plate had been cut to pieces.
She glanced at him briefly, then looked away.
Her breakfast was typically healthy, with a balance of main dish, dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins. This morning, it was a fried
egg, a glass of hot milk, a slice of toast, and fresh blueberries.
Larry glanced at her breakfast and raised an eyebrow.
When Aria finished and was about to leave, Larry stopped her.
“Let’s put last night behind us. I won’t blame you anymore.”
2/4
Aria froze for a moment, as if she thought she had misheard.
“You think I was the one at fault?”
Larry frowned. “I don’t want to investigate who caused you both to fall into the water. Even if it might have been Lucy’s fault,
she’s still like a sister to us, so you should accommodate her.”
Aria stared at him expressionlessly.
Larry’s face immediately darkened.
“Aria, what kind of attitude is this?”
She turned to leave, but Larry rushed forward, grabbing her wrist and pinning her against the wall. “I said I don’t want to pursue
last night’s matter anymore. You should at least respond. Or do you really think you can easily escape the Spencer family just
because you’ve hooked up with some rich heir?
“Don’t think I don’t know where that dress came from.
“That blue dress is a high–end customized design that requires annual spending of over fifty million to qualify for purchase.
You’ve never bought from that brand before. Where did you get that limited edition custom dress?
“Aria, don’t treat me like a fool. I can overlook last night as a misunderstanding, but you need to explain yourself if you’ve been
seeing another man behind my back.”
He gripped her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.
She maintained her detached expression.
“I have nothing to say.”
Aria pushed him away and took out another set of divorce papers.
“Five years is long enough. Just sign these. Let’s part ways peacefully, and I’ll give up my position as Mrs. Spencer.”
How could five years be enough?
After everything they’d been through, how could Aria so calmly say “let’s part ways peacefully“?
“I won’t let you leave so easily.”
It wasn’t just because Spencer Corp was tied to Aria’s image. More importantly, he couldn’t accept it.
He simply didn’t want to let her go.
He stared intently at Aria, his voice hoarse with force. “Aria, I’ll allow you some rebellious behavior, but you need to understand
my bottom line.”
“Divorce is absolutely impossible.”
3/4
Aria met his dark eyes with a detached expression.
Her cold look made Larry’s heart ache, “Don’t forget that you have no income of your own. The Spencer family supports you. If you leave, how will you pay for your brother James’s surgery?
“Think carefully. You can’t leave the Spencer family!”
Larry spoke harshly, but Aria remained calm, which only fueled his anger further. He slammed the door as he left.
Aria lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the bruises around her wrist.
Her phone rang. It was Archer calling.
Why would Archer call at this hour? Was something wrong?
She hesitated briefly before answering.
The man’s deep, magnetic voice came through, “I’ve arranged for James to be transferred to Harbour Hospital. The medical team
is ready. Would you like to go see your brother together?”
