“Sorry, I didn't intend to." Ariana fluttered her eyelashes at him, appearing quite forlorn.

"Please forgive me this once. I won't do it again."

Whenever she made a mistake, she acted sad, but Theodore would always forgive her.

His heart softened, but he maintained a frosty facade.

"Is being seen with me so shameful? And that was quite a forceful kick."

Hearing his accusatory tone, she realized he was genuinely upset. Flustered, she explained, "I panicked when I saw the crew members in the restaurant, and we had agreed to keep our relationship secret. You were adamant back then. You even said that if anyone found out, I'd be banished from the Anderson family."

“When did I say you'd be expelled from the Anderson family for that?" Theodore cast a sidelong glance at her and spoke in a cold voice.

"Don't make up stories based on what I said."

Admittedly, Ariana had added the last part herself. She huffed, "But I'm heeding your advice. Is it wrong to keep our relationship under wraps?"

Theodore was at a loss for words. Annoyed, he ran a hand through his short hair and furrowed his brow. After a moment, he said, "If you want to go public now, it's fine.”

Theodore was now eager to declare their relationship, so no one would dare covet his wife.

He was aware that Tyler's gaze on Ariana wasn't that of a brother toward a sister.

Ariana was confused by Theodore's words. Was he suggesting that they should tell everyone they were married? Did it imply that he genuinely cared for her?

It seemed impossible. How could Theodore harbor feelings for her?

Her heart raced, but she refused to let her thoughts wander. Her rational side warned her not to read too much into Theodore's words and actions.

Besides, she was pregnant. If their relationship was exposed now, it would complicate her eventual departure from the Anderson family.

So she didn't respond. Instead, she cleared her throat and shifted the conversation.

"Let's discuss Francis for a moment. Were you the reason why Francis changed his attitude so suddenly?”

Theodore gave a subtle nod.

"What's the matter?”