Chapter 1869

I wasnt expecting to run into you here, Maxwell said to Ariana, wearing a smile.
Ariana, in stark contrast, kept her demeanor cold.
She gave a slight nod and said, Yes, its certainly unexpected.
Her gaze then flicked toward the woman next to Maxwell, narrowing slightly as though trying to piece something together.
This is Elsie, my cousin, Maxwell quickly said, noticing Arianas gaze.
Ariana hadnt anticipated Maxwell introducing the woman beside him like that.
For a moment, she was taken aback but remained unconvinced.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him, scrutinizing him with a look of doubt.
After all, Maxwell and the woman had been standing close, their laughter and conversation carrying an air of familiarity.
Their appearances were so complementary that they seemed like a perfect couple. Maxwell noticed the skepticism in Arianas expression and quickly offered more clarification, saying, Look carefully at the two of us.
Dont you see the resemblance? Ariana studied their features more closely.
After a moment of comparison, she noticed some similarities and asked, Are you really not a couple? Shes just my cousin, Maxwell replied.
When she was younger, her health wasnt good, so she didnt go out much.
Among our relatives, she spent the most time with me, so we often had meals together.
Those rumors about a crush or fiancée are nothing more than baseless stories spread by the media.
At first, Ariana thought Maxwell might be lying, but the sincerity in his tone eventually swayed her.
She then inquired, Did you tell Sonia about this? I did, Maxwell replied, a trace of disappointment flickering across his face.
But after she heard my words, she stomped on my foot and stormed off.
She said she didnt care about the matter and called me a liar, telling me to stop bothering her.
It was clear Sonia didnt believe him, and since Sonia trusted her, Maxwell hoped she could help clear things up for him to Sonia.
But Ariana felt it wasnt her place to meddle in someone elses relationship.
She believed Maxwell should handle the matter himself.
Noticing his discouraged expression, she gave his shoulder a comforting pat, offering a few kind words to encourage him while gently explaining Sonias reaction.
Maxwells expression brightened as he absorbed her words.
With renewed hope, he looked at her and said, So, based on what youre saying, Sonia is just jealous? And the more dramatic her reaction, the more she cares about me? Well… I cant say for certain, Ariana replied.
Thats just the impression I got from observing her.
But dont give up.
I think if you keep showing her your sincerity, shell eventually believe you. After the conversation, Ariana and Holden took the children to the amusement park.
Thanks to their VIP access, dedicated staff and cheerful costumed characters were already waiting at the entrance to guide them inside.
Melon and Adele were quickly scooped up by the characters and taken to the merry-go-round, where they laughed and played with delight.
Just then, a burst of cheers erupted from another section of the amusement park.
Standing just outside the merry-go-round, Ariana turned her gaze toward the commotion.
Her eyes landed on a woman dressed in white, covering her mouth in astonishment, tears of joy streaking her cheeks.
Before her, a man knelt on one knee, holding up a ring box with trembling hands as he proposed.
The crowd erupted into applause as the woman nodded.
The man slid the ring onto her finger before they embraced each other and kissed.