Chapter 6: Ignore Her and Keep Driving

There was no real spark of affection between the two. In Kingston's mind, taking Ariella in and refusing to divorce her was already an act of immense charity. Since Ariella herself was unwilling to remain in the hospital, he didn't care either way. They quickly completed the discharge paperwork and took a taxi to one of his private apartments in South Covand.

"By the way, I still don't know your name," Ariella asked once they had entered the home.

He noted with a touch of irony that she only now remembered to ask. The man turned around, his deep eyes fixed on her. His thin lips parted slightly as he spoke. "Kingston Carswell."

He watched her closely, refusing to miss even the slightest flicker of a reaction in her gaze.

Ariella looked genuinely surprised. "Your surname is Carswell?

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"There is a powerful family in South Covand with that same name," Ariella said, her voice heavy with implication.

"Not everyone named Carswell belongs to the elite. I am just a common man."

Ariella considered this for a moment and decided it made sense. Perhaps she was being too sensitive. She had heard the names of the prominent members of the Carswell family, and none of them were named Kingston. There was only the mysterious young master of the main branch, but no one knew his real name. Besides, rumors claimed that man was a disfigured cripple.

Her new husband, however, stood nearly six feet four inches tall. He was lean, commanding, and possessed a face of peerless masculine beauty. He bore no resemblance to the tragic figure described in the rumors.

Kingston observed her expression. It seemed she truly had no idea. He rarely returned to South Covand. Even distant relatives of the Carswell family might not recognize him on sight, let alone a woman who had spent the last three years behind bars.

"There is nothing wrong with being a common man," Ariella said softly. "I won't just sit around the house, doing nothing. I'm going to go out and find a job."

"Suit yourself," Kingston said, glancing at his watch. "I have to head out. Don't wait up for me for dinner."

Ariella opened her mouth to speak. She wanted to tell him that she had just been released from prison and didn't have a single cent to her name for food. But after a second thought, she remained silent. She didn't want to become a nuisance. He had already been kind enough to take her in. Her primary concern now was finding employment as quickly as possible.

A short while later, a chauffeur named David arrived at the apartment complex in a Rolls-Royce to pick Kingston up.

"Where to, Sir?" David asked.

"Hexagon Investments." The man crossed his long legs, exuding an air of effortless authority.

As they drove through a busy intersection, David's sharp eyes caught a familiar figure on the sidewalk. It was the same woman who had been desperately begging strangers to marry her earlier.

"Sir, there's Ms. Ellerker again," David noted.

Kingston looked out the window. It was indeed her. She wore old clothes that had been washed so many times that the color had faded to a dull grey. She looked wretchedly poor. Only her face remained striking, a lone point of beauty in her bedraggled state.

She was riddled with ailments and had only just left the hospital, yet here she was, wandering the streets. Was she not afraid of fainting again? Did she really think she would be lucky enough to have someone save her every time?

"Ignore her. Keep driving," Kingston commanded coldly.

If a person didn't care about their own health, they couldn't expect others to care on their behalf.

Upon arriving at Hexagon Investments, Kingston maintained a mask of cold arrogance as he took the private executive elevator to the top floor. From the height of the sixty-sixth floor, the entire cityscape of South Covand spread out beneath him.

"Sir, this file contains the partnership proposal with Keystone Pharmaceuticals. It requires your signature," a secretary said, stepping forward and handing him a document.

Kingston scanned the pages. Hexagon Investments had interests in many industries. Nowadays, people were increasingly obsessed with health and longevity, making the supplement and pharmaceutical sectors highly profitable. Keystone Pharmaceuticals held a respectable position in South Covand.

However, when Kingston recalled Robert's sickening behavior earlier that day, he felt that partnering with such a man was beneath him. It would be a stain on his reputation.

"Remove Keystone Pharmaceuticals from the proposal," Kingston ordered in a chilling tone. "We will never work with them."

"Understood, Sir," the secretary replied, bowing her head.