Chapter 3: Chapter 3: It’s All Just a Ploy to Anger Me

### Chapter 3: Just Another One of Her Tricks

After the meal, as Maxine Rhodes was getting up, her hand accidentally knocked over the glass of milk beside her.

The liquid spilled out, landing squarely on the cuff of Ethan Hawthorne’s fine shirt.

"I’m sorry!" Maxine’s heart tightened, and she instinctively grabbed a napkin to wipe it.

In her haste, a loose thread from her sweater snagged on Ethan Hawthorne’s cuff.

With a soft CLICK, the cufflink came off its base, fell onto the table, and a fine crack appeared on its edge.

Ethan Hawthorne’s gaze fell on her slightly trembling fingers, then shifted to the damaged cufflink.

"I’ll replace it," Maxine said immediately.

Ethan Hawthorne reached out, unhurriedly unfastened the broken cufflink from his sleeve, and casually tossed it into a nearby trash can.

"Don’t worry about it. Out with the old, in with the new," he said calmly, then looked up at her. "I like sapphires."

「Two hours later.」

At the Civil Affairs Bureau, the procedures went exceptionally smoothly.

When the two little red booklets were placed in his hands, Ethan Hawthorne felt his palm grow hot.

He repeatedly stroked the raised official seal on the cover. ’She’s finally mine,’ he thought. ’Legally and socially recognized as Mrs. Hawthorne.’

To the side, Erza Sinclair quietly turned away and quickly wiped the corner of his eye.

’Mr. Hawthorne! These ten years... it really hasn’t been easy!’

After they got in the car, Erza Sinclair spoke respectfully, "Mr. Hawthorne, we have an important meeting soon. Should I take Mrs. Hawthorne back to the apartment first?"

"I’d like to go to the mall first," Maxine Rhodes cut in. She was still wearing the clothes Ethan Hawthorne had prepared for her the day before, and she also needed to replace his cufflink.

Ethan Hawthorne didn’t ask any questions. He pulled a bank card from the inner pocket of his suit and naturally placed it in her hand. "Use this card."

Seeing her slight hesitation, he added, "This is a right you have as Mrs. Hawthorne. The PIN is my birthday—971218. Don’t worry about saving my money."

From the driver’s seat, Erza couldn’t help but smile. ’Handing over the top-tier supplementary card and giving out his birthday right after getting their marriage license... The boss sure moves fast!’

「The Mall.」

Maxine Rhodes had a clear goal. She walked straight to a brand-name store she often frequented, efficiently picked out a few outfits, and then moved to the adjoining men’s boutique accessories section.

Inside a glass counter, a pair of platinum cufflinks inlaid with deep blue sapphires caught her eye. The design was simple yet distinguished, a perfect match for Ethan Hawthorne’s aura.

"Please wrap these up for me," she said to the sales associate.

The sales associate replied, "You have excellent taste. This is a limited custom edition, so we’ll have to order it. It can be delivered to your designated address in three days. Would that be acceptable?"

"Yes, that’s fine."

The sales associate smiled. "Ma’am, your total today comes to twenty-eight thousand yuan."

"Okay."

Maxine Rhodes replied, reaching for her wallet, but her fingertips found only empty space.

’My heart sank. I must have left my wallet in Ethan Hawthorne’s car.’

When she tried to pay with her phone, the screen was completely black—the battery was dead.

A brief wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Right now, the only thing in her bag was the black card Ethan Hawthorne had just given her.

Although he had insisted she take it, she had no intention of using it.

But the sales associate waited patiently, maintaining a professional smile. The silence was more unbearable than any urging.

’Oh, well. I’ll just transfer the money back to him later.’

Maxine Rhodes pursed her lips, took the card from her bag, and handed it over.

After paying, Maxine Rhodes filled out the form with the address for Cloudview Apartments and her contact information.

Suddenly, she heard Rose Joyce’s voice.

"Brother~ Look, do I look good in this necklace?"

Just as Rose Joyce finished speaking, she looked up and saw Maxine Rhodes. She immediately grabbed Benjamin Sterling and hurried over.

"Maxine!" Rose Joyce exclaimed dramatically. "Why did you just up and leave the other night? Benjamin and I looked for you all night long! We were worried sick!"

Benjamin Sterling shot Maxine Rhodes a scornful glance. "Maxine Rhodes, you threw a tantrum and pulled a disappearing act on purpose, didn’t you? All to make me worry and coax you? Let me tell you, that trick doesn’t work on me! You’ve really disappointed me this time!"

Maxine Rhodes lifted her gaze, swept her eyes over him as if looking at a piece of unsightly trash, and then lowered her head to continue writing. "Has Young Master Sterling lost his memory, or is he just selectively deaf? Was I not clear enough at the KTV? You. Are. Dumped."

Rose Joyce’s eyes immediately reddened. "Sister, it’s all my fault... If you’re angry, I’ll leave. Just don’t fight with him..."

Benjamin Sterling immediately shielded Rose Joyce.

"Maxine Rhodes, do you have to bully Rose like this? She’s so innocent and kind, always thinking of you! And you? What can you do besides put on that bitchy face?"

"You look like a bitter, scorned woman right now! You think this will make me give you a second glance? Let me tell you, this just makes me feel more for Rose and find you even more repulsive!"

Maxine Rhodes’s expression remained placid. Her red lips parted slightly. "One of you is full of himself, and the other is a drama queen. You two are a perfect match."

With that, she handed the completed form to the clerk, picked up her things, and turned to leave.

Benjamin Sterling was completely enraged by her dismissive attitude. His gaze swept over the form she had just handed over.

’Sapphire cufflinks!’

Before he could get a clear look at the shipping address, the clerk took the form back.

Benjamin Sterling was stunned for a moment, then his gloomy expression instantly brightened.

"Heh, I knew it. Acting all high and mighty, but she still secretly buys me a gift because she knows I like blue? Thinks this will change my mind? How annoying. Not a single new trick up her sleeve."

Hearing this, Rose Joyce was overcome with jealousy. She shook his arm. "Brother! You’re not actually going to accept it, are you?"

"Accept it?" Benjamin Sterling lifted his chin, his voice dripping with contempt. "As if I need anything from her."

He turned to the clerk and ordered, "Alright, cancel the delivery for what she just bought. I won’t accept it, so tell her to give up."

The clerk replied with a smile, "I’m sorry, sir, but only the customer herself—the lady who was just here—can cancel the order."

As soon as she finished, Rose Joyce’s voice rose several pitches. She pulled out a VVVVIP card and slammed it on the counter. "This should be enough, right?! Didn’t you see we were together just now?! That bitch obviously bought it for my brother! If you don’t cancel it, I’ll file a complaint against you!"

The clerk gave an awkward smile, not wanting to cause trouble. "Alright, sir. May I have your last name, please?"

Benjamin Sterling: "Sterling. Benjamin Sterling."

He was in a great mood, already picturing Maxine Rhodes bursting into tears and filled with regret when she found out her gift had been rejected.

The clerk’s professional smile finally cracked. She said, still smiling, "Sir, you may have misunderstood. The recipient designated by the lady is not you."

The smug look on Benjamin Sterling’s face instantly froze. The color drained from his cheeks, leaving only shocked disbelief and humiliation.

"Not me? Then who could it be?!"

This was the first time the clerk had ever met someone so shameless, but she kept her professional smile plastered on. "I’m sorry, but we cannot disclose customer information. Not even for VVVVIPs."

The people nearby immediately started whispering.

"So he was just flattering himself..."

"Oh my god, that’s so awkward..."

Trying to save face, Benjamin Sterling roared, "What the hell do you know?! It’s all just another one of her tricks to piss me off!"