"I have things to take care of here."
Ian Rowe is ultimately a workaholic, completely unwilling to waste time on anything else.
If it were before, he would have hung up the phone immediately; it was truly unusual that he actually listened to Maya Monroe speak.
"What could possibly be more important than your dear wife? Besides... if someone else hugs me and it ends up trending online, it wouldn't look good. Although I've long stopped caring about such rumors, I always keep your interests in mind! Others might not know, but everyone in your circle knows about our relationship. If others mistakenly think you've been cuckolded, that wouldn't be good! You know how bad I am at talking, and when the elders start asking questions, I get nervous. Oh dear, it's really cold here..."
Ian's gaze darkened, and he hung up the phone outright.
*
Maya Monroe looked at the screen that had been hung up, struggling to resist the urge to swing her ankle.
She's not worried. She is confident that Ian will definitely come over.
Across from her, Quentin Rowe watched her self-directed little drama, couldn't help but sneer, "I didn't expect you could act so well, but this kid Ian never liked 'trouble' from a young age. You'd better stop with all these acts. When the lounge is empty, it won't look good on you either. Since the relationship has deteriorated to this point, why cling so tightly to The Rowe Family? The Monroe Family has gained so many benefits from selling their daughter to our family; it's time to learn moderation."
Maya Monroe spent her afternoon training session slacking off, while others practiced, she sat resting, occasionally swiping and tapping her phone. When others rested, she blatantly played some game on her phone. So it didn't take long for Quentin Rowe to catch her, making her stand aside to blow in the cold wind. Yet, Maya wasn't willing to obediently listen to her, but she was also cautious not to push her too far and create an unmanageable situation.
To avoid the situation, Maya falsely claimed she twisted her ankle and lazed around in the lounge, but Quentin came over after her class ended and mocked her sarcastically.
Quentin is not a person of much significance, and Maya has no obligation to let her feel comfortable. She took this opportunity to disgust Ian a little; if it made Ian loathe her completely, even better!
Maya viewed this as an opportunity to maximize Quentin's and Ian's disgust towards her; it's a win-win situation!
Upon hearing Quentin's harsh words, Maya blinked innocently, but there was a trace of provocation in her eyes.
"Aunt, I don't understand what you're saying. Ian and I are doing perfectly fine; why wouldn't he care about me?"
Quentin let out another sneer.
Not sure if because she was angry or if she thought Maya was foolish, or perhaps both.
"I didn't think you had such a remarkable sister, if only you were as sensible as your sister Kiki Monroe, I wouldn't still be opposing your marriage into The Rowe Family today!"
"I'm willing to marry, Ian is willing to marry, this mutual affection doesn't need Aunt's nagging, right?"
Quentin was momentarily silenced; she was from high society, never had she seen such bravado.
As if everyone had forgotten about her "fake pregnancy" incident.
Concerned about her image, Quentin didn't dare go overboard but still used every dirty word she knew.
"Someone like you isn't worth the effort from our Ian!"
Upon finishing, she found Maya unusually not retaliating with her usual sharpness.
Feeling puzzled, she heard the sound of leather shoes stepping on the floor near the glass door.
The next second, Ian Rowe pushed the door open. He wore a black trench coat over a white shirt, the monochrome attire accentuating his already intense presence.
Vincent Summers followed behind, panting slightly, car keys in hand.
Ian truly doesn't treat his assistant as a person, even handing over the driving to him. These capitalists are always so calculative.
How pitiful it is to be paid for one job while doing several others.
He couldn't believe Ian couldn't afford a driver! He just couldn't believe it!
Quentin's mouth slightly opened, as someone who values etiquette, one can tell just how surprised she was.
"Ian, you..."
Ian greeted her with a slight nod, "Aunt."
"Why are you here? Doesn't the company have lots for you to handle?" Quentin still couldn't believe it.
"Hubby, hug~"
Maya curbed the urge to stand and held her hand out to Ian.
Ian just answered Quentin's question: "I came to pick up Maya to take her home."
"You..." Quentin seemed to want to say something but simply couldn't.
Ian walked straight to Maya, as he looked into her bright eyes, the annoyance in him, blown by the cold wind, seemed to dissipate somewhat.
"Can you stand up on your own?"
Maya shook her head pitifully, her once bright and pretty eyes now drooped innocently, weakened her unique aggressiveness, adding a touch of coquettishness.
Ian's gaze slightly darkened, and without hesitation, he picked her up.
He didn't want to waste time here.
"Ian, what are you..." Quentin's expression was a bit complex.
"You can't spoil her like this! If her ankle is indeed twisted, let a doctor check it. She's purposefully waiting for you to pick her up, fooling us!"
Ian brushed it off with a simple, "Aunt, we're leaving now."
"Hey! You..."
Maya pushed aside the coat blocking her view and made a triumphant face at Quentin.
Seeing Quentin nearly stomping in anger, Maya was overjoyed and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Noticing Maya's giggle, Ian asked, "What's up?"
His tone was formulaic, carrying a hint of coldness.
When Maya lifted her face again, she was back to being all pitiful, "I was just thinking what a great husband I have. Knowing my ankle was twisted, he rushed over to pick me up. I can't imagine how many lifetimes of good fortune I've accumulated to be this lucky. I wonder how many ladies out there would envy me if they found out..."
Her words ran on like a runaway train, and Ian's gaze slowly darkened, remaining silent.
*
Despite training being over, Kiki Monroe did not leave immediately. She stayed until the last group of people left the training room.
"Kiki, you're so diligent. You put us seniors who started acting years earlier to shame! There's something I still don't quite get. Can I ask for your guidance tomorrow?"
"That Maya always fools around here, and earlier she even made up a story about a twisted ankle. No one lazier than her! No wonder she's constantly being trended negatively!"
"Actually, my sister is really hardworking..."