Chapter 30 Love, Lawsuits & Almost Lip Contact 💋
The production team had zero survival instincts.
Zero.
The host stepped forward with a cue card and the most dangerous smile in television history.
“Today’s segment is called… Clearing The Rumors ???”
Zayden squinted.
“…Why does that sound like a trap?”
It was.
Question 1: “How old is Mrs. Cross actually? ??”
Arielle blinked.
Lucian crossed his arms calmly.
Rhett answered proudly, “She’s forty.
”
The entire staff gasped.
Elise clutched her chest. “FORTY?! That’s illegal.
She looks 32 ??”
Arielle tried not to laugh.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m forty. I had Darian when I was twenty.
”
Emrys raised his hand politely. “I was a bonus at twenty-three.”
Lucian added smoothly, “I’m forty-three.
”
The host practically vibrated.
“So you were—”
“Twenty-two when I proposed,” Lucian said quietly.
Record scratch.
Everyone froze.
Arielle turned slowly.
“You’re bringing that up?”
Oh.
OH.
The sons immediately leaned forward.
Question 2: “Was it arranged? ??”
Lucian shook his head.
“No.”
Arielle sighed softly.
“It wasn’t arranged.
”
The host blinked. “But the companies—”
“Yes,” Lucian said, “our companies merged.”
“But that happened after we were already together.”
Silence.
Lu Wei’s smirk faded slightly.
Clara’s eyes widened.
Serena leaned in.
Elise whispered, “WAIT SO IT WAS REAL LOVE???”
Arielle nodded.
“We met at a university conference. We argued for twenty minutes.”
Lucian corrected her gently, “You called my presentation arrogant.”
“You were arrogant.”
“You were brilliant.”
The fiancées collectively: “OH MY GODDDDD ??”
A/N: okay but why are they kind of cute right now?
?? ??
The Proposal Reveal ??
The host was shaking.
“So how did he propose?!”
Lucian looked at Arielle.
Arielle looked at the sky.
“Don’t you dare exaggerate.
”
Lucian almost smiled.
“I won’t.”
He turned slightly toward the cameras.
“I took her back to the lecture hall where we first met.”
Arielle’s ears turned red.
“You said it was symbolic!”
“It was.”
He continued calmly.
“I told her I didn’t want to build an empire without her beside me.
”
The sons stared.
Rhett whispered, “He said that??”
Zayden typing furiously: “Why was this not documented.”
Lucian’s voice softened.
“I asked her to marry me because I loved her.”
Not strategy.
Not alliance.
Love.
Arielle swallowed.
“And I said yes,” she murmured.
Lu Wei looked away.
Lin Yue felt something heavy settle in her chest.
Author reaction: why am I blushing and I wrote this?
? ???
The Misunderstanding (The Real Villain ??)
The host leaned forward.
“So what went wrong?”
Silence fell.
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
Arielle exhaled slowly.
“He overheard something.”
Lucian spoke quietly.
“I heard half of a rehearsal.”
Lu Wei looked confused.
“What rehearsal?”
Arielle closed her eyes briefly.
“I was preparing lines for a charity event. A dramatic monologue.”
Lucian’s voice dropped.
“I walked in when she said, ‘I never loved him. I only love his money.’”
(A/N :I'm not sure if this is what she said then. I forgot the real words. Correct me if you remember or just pass)
Gasps.
Elise covered her mouth.
“But it wasn’t for him,” Darian said softly.
Lucian nodded once.
“I didn’t stay long enough to hear the rest.”
Arielle looked at him.
“You shut down.”
“I thought I was protecting myself.”
“You were punishing both of us.”
Ouch.
Author whisper: this is the real villain arc right here ??
Reality Show Twist: Re-Propose Challenge ??
The director clapped like chaos incarnate.
“NEW MISSION! Recreate the proposal!!”
The sons stood up instantly.
“Absolutely not.” – Rhett
“Public setting??” – Zayden
“I’m unwell.
” – Emrys
Darian just sighed.
Lucian stepped toward Arielle slowly.
Not dramatic.
Not performative.
Just steady.
“I won’t redo it for the cameras,” he said.
Everyone blinked.
“But I will ask you something honestly.”
Oh no.
He stepped closer.
Close enough that her breath hitched.
“Back then, you chose me because you loved me.”
Her heart started racing.
“Do you regret that choice?”
Silence.
The entire cast leaned in.
Lu Wei’s hands curled slightly.
Lin Yue felt like she might combust.
Arielle’s voice came out softer than she expected.
“No.”
That one word changed everything.
Lucian’s expression shifted.
Not triumphant.
Relieved.
He brushed his fingers lightly against hers.
Not grabbing.
Just… there.
And then—
He leaned in.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The tension was INSANE.
The sons collectively lost their minds.
“WAIT WAIT WAIT—”
Emrys literally inserted himself between them.
“Consent form check!!!”
Rhett dragged Lucian back.
Zayden shouted, “THIS IS A FAMILY SHOW.”
Darian covered his face.
Arielle burst out laughing.
“I can’t even get kissed without a board meeting.
”
Lucian actually laughed.
Lu Wei looked like he wanted to challenge someone to a duel.
Jealousy Explosion ??
Lu Wei stepped forward finally.
“So the love never disappeared.”
It wasn’t a question.
Lucian didn’t look at him.
“It never did.”
Lin Yue stood abruptly.
“Can everyone stop speaking like it’s a historical drama?
!”
Everyone turned.
She pointed at Arielle.
“You deserve someone who listens fully.”
She pointed at Lucian.
“Not someone who walks away after one sentence.”
She pointed at Lu Wei.
“And not someone who returns when it’s convenient.
”
Dead silence.
Then she flushed bright red.
“…I need water.”
Elise whispered dramatically, “She is in DEEP.”
Serena nodded.
“Very deep.”
Author reaction: Lin Yue really said I will not be emotionally stable today ??
End Scene
Arielle stood there.
Forty years old.
Married at nineteen to the man she loved.
Built a company. Built a family. Lost a marriage to one overheard sentence.
Four biological sons.
One ex-husband still in love.
One first love still lingering.
One unexpected woman catching feelings.
She sighed.
“I agreed to cook on television.”
Zayden checked his phone.
“We’re trending under #LectureHallLoveStory.
”
Rhett grinned.
“Worth it.”
Lucian looked at her.
Not possessive.
Not territorial.
Just hopeful.
And for the first time—
The almost-kiss didn’t feel chaotic.
It felt inevitable.
??????
Author’s Note ???
MY LOVESSSS ????
Okay but the lecture hall proposal?
??
The misunderstanding villain arc??
?
The sons being emotional security guards?
??
WHY ARE THEY LOWKEY CUTE AGAIN ????
Quick clarifications for readers asking:
? Arielle – 40
? Lucian – 43
? Married at 19 & 22
? Married for 20 years
? Four biological sons
? Love marriage + business merger later
? Misunderstanding = overheard rehearsal line
Also thanks to @Uaheer for reminding me.
He/she reminded me to add the MCs original story or smth.
COMMENT BELOW: Did Lucian redeem himself a little?
? ??
Did Lu Wei lose points today??
Is Lin Yue spiraling or awakening?
?
VOTE: Who gets the next big emotional moment?
?? Lucian
?? Lu Wei
?? Lin Yue
?? A shocking kiss
FOLLOW for updates because next chapter…
Someone WILL kiss her.
And this time?
The sons might not be fast enough ?????
Okay I'm tired of writing. Comment to call me back readers!!.