bantayden Chapter 289 - 290: Solution
Chapter 289 - 290: Solution
Maya Monroe turned the grape in her hand in a circle, her gaze shifting slightly away from the TV screen: "Ryan, what do we do?"
"Your marriage hasn’t been made public, right? This is the perfect opportunity to announce it and dispel the rumors and all those past scandals about being kept. You know the paparazzi are really sly; many exposés are unpredictable. It’s better to maximize the benefits this time."
"Of course, this is just my suggestion. It’s up to you to think it over."
Maya Monroe was silent for a few seconds, her tone unusually steady: "Give me a little time."
Ryan Spencer’s expression didn’t change in the video: "This issue is indeed significant. You need to discuss it thoroughly with Mr. Rowe. No matter what, I’m here to support you."
There was a hint of reassurance in his eyes.
Maya Monroe nodded absentmindedly: "I’ll discuss it properly."
*
Charity Dinner
The greetings from all the socialites and debutantes were endless, Ian Rowe slowly raised his hand, a diamond ring on his long fingers stark against his cool skin, its deterrent meaning unspoken but clear.
"It’s good to have a ring; at least it keeps away many admirers," Vincent Summers said. Surveying the surroundings for a while, he felt a bit lonely and couldn’t help but move closer to Ian Rowe.
"Ian, why didn’t you bring a female companion? Look at everyone else, they’re all paired up. How come it’s just the two of us guys walking in together?"
"Couldn’t be..." His gossiping spirit was ignited again: "Couldn’t Maya not want to come with you...?"
"Noisy." The other person replied with just two words, lightly swirling the champagne in his hand.
Vincent Summers touched his nose and said nothing more, realizing that ever since Maya Monroe’s scandal happened, Ian Rowe hadn’t been in a good mood. He wouldn’t vent his anger at Maya Monroe, so all his grievances accumulated here, wearing a sullen, cold face.
"Ian, honestly, you should really set Maya straight, always causing trouble, if not rumored with this person, then with that person!"
Ian Rowe’s gaze slowly drifted over: "How should I set her straight?"
"At least use some harsh words to scare her a bit, so she won’t dare anymore! Maya’s actually quite timid; just threaten her a few times, and she’ll be scared." Vincent Summers said with his head slightly raised.
Ian Rowe’s expression didn’t change much, and he slowly said: "I know she doesn’t have feelings for that person. They’re not involved..."
He didn’t finish the rest of his words, struggling with his uncontrollable need to care, to feel jealous.
He still maintained his good habit of not drinking, and the champagne in his hand remained untouched.
Ian Rowe handed the champagne to Vincent Summers, took off his suit jacket: "Stay here, I’m going outside for some air."
Vincent Summers lowered his gaze to the jacket he held, then looked at Ian Rowe’s departing figure, feeling quite conflicted.
Since meeting Maya Monroe, Ian Rowe had become a resentful husband.
*
Ian Rowe returned later than usual, with an inevitable mix of tobacco and sandalwood scents on him, a sharp and bitter complexity.
"You’re back? Take a seat first."
This was a rare serious discussion between them, and Maya Monroe tried to dispel the awkwardness of facing Ian Rowe.
Previously, she could casually make up something to brush him off, like before. But she realized she couldn’t do that anymore; when facing Ian Rowe, there was an indescribable feeling, not wanting to deceive him, only trying to avoid as much as possible.
Sometimes she feared he would suddenly ask questions she couldn’t answer, ones she had no answers for. So avoiding and staying silent became the best options. But one thing she had to admit was that the discomfort came from the inability to be cold-hearted towards him like before.
Maya Monroe pushed a cup of juice in front of him: "I have something to discuss with you."
Her tone lacked the deliberately sweet flirtatiousness from before, but Ian Rowe felt this was her true self as she gradually revealed her authentic side in front of him.
He noticed her eyes weren’t as empty as they seemed; occasionally, there was a hint of warmth, which were her changes, changes that made his heart flutter.
There was still so much time, they could adapt and become familiar with each other.
Ian Rowe’s expression warmed unconsciously, his gaze shallow, like a faithful listener.
Maya Monroe looked away first.
She felt Ian Rowe had changed a lot, unaware of when it started.
Ian Rowe was a dominant person, both outwardly and at his core. His eyes always carried an intense heat, filled with aggression. But now he had concealed all the sharp edges, becoming gentle and elegant.
Because of this, Maya Monroe felt fear, a fear of the unknown that she couldn’t resist.
He was like a patient hunter, and gentleness was his net. If she let down her guard even a little, she’d drown in that fathomless depth of spring waters.
"I..." Maya Monroe straightened slightly: "It’s like this; I recently got caught up in a scandal..."
Somehow, when she uttered the word "scandal," his face momentarily darkened, though it returned to normal quickly.
Ian Rowe patiently asked: "And then?"
"I’ve been thinking about making our relationship public," Maya Monroe watched his expression closely: "What do you think, hubby?"
Ian Rowe suddenly looked up, his dark eyes revealing a complex emotion he seemed not to believe: "You... you want to go public with our relationship?"
Being stared at like this, Maya Monroe suddenly felt like a heartless flirt. She became a bit uneasy: "Wasn’t that all just by chance before? Of course, I’m willing."
"Alright." Ian Rowe gently lifted the corner of his lips, showing a subtle smile. He restrained his urge to kiss her, reminding himself repeatedly to take things slowly.
His words carried unmistakable determination: "I’m willing too."
It was merely a discussion about a matter, yet it inexplicably felt like a solemn wedding vow, truly surreal.
Maya Monroe felt on edge, hurriedly standing up, deliberately making her tone casual: "Since that’s settled, I’ll go handle it now."
Not waiting for his response, she went upstairs, leaving behind the much-anticipated TV drama.
After returning, Maya Monroe reported the matter to Ryan Spencer.
Ryan Spencer was surprised: "So soon? Looks like your communication went well. If that’s the case, I’ll handle it."
Maya Monroe’s voice carried a hint of ambiguity, and Ryan Spencer on the other end wasn’t sure if it was because she was sleepy: "Alright, thanks for your hard work, Ryan."