Chapter 12
“Sorry…” Ariel’s eyes suddenly burned with heat.
Chad’s irritation flared, but seeing her like this made it impossible for him to stay mad. “What are you apologizing for? If anything, you should be apologizing to the maids. You stole their job for three years.”
Ariel didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Chad actually already knew she would show up.
Janice and her big mouth couldn’t keep a secret to save her life. She had already told him everything.
“It’s not too late.” Chad sighed dramatically. “As long as you’ve figured things out, it’s never too late to start over. With your talent, what company wouldn’t want you? Having you at Faye Tech would be an honor.”
Back then, Ariel had been specially recruited into the research institute. She was never meant to be buried in obscurity.
The U.N2 drone, which had amazed the industry for years, was widely believed to be Chad’s creation. Because of it, people had been beating down Faye Technologies‘ doors.
But in reality, Ariel had already reached that level at the age of 20. Even now, no one surpassed her.
She had given the world years to catch up, but no one had yet to match the vision and technology she had achieved back then.
“You’re okay with me joining Faye Tech?” Ariel’s emotions were complicated.
Chad scoffed. “Janice already unilaterally agreed to you taking an equity stake with your expertise. Now, I’m just waiting to see what groundbreaking innovations you’ll bring to Faye Tech. See you on Monday.”
He talked tough, but Ariel knew he was soft–hearted.
She broke into a genuine smile–the first one she had in a long time. “Thank you, Chad.”
Chad huffed and turned away, going back to chat with his colleagues.
Ariel felt the weight in her heart finally lift. It was like she could breathe again. Even her body, which had been feeling weak earlier, seemed to regain its energy.
She got up and went to examine the drones on display.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the front of the event.
When she looked over, she saw Jayson and Nancy arriving, accompanied by Matt and Perry.
Jayson’s presence alone was enough to cause a stir. Many people were excitedly trying to get close, hoping to make an impression.
Ariel saw how Jayson instinctively shielded Nancy. She looked away, uninterested.
Instead, she focused entirely on the uniquely designed drone in front of her.
Matt and Perry, however, had already spotted her Seeing that Jayson didn’t even spare her a glance, they finally relaxed.
Ariel was really something. She even managed to get an invitation here. She really went all out to be seen by Jayson.
Completely absorbed in the design, Ariel didn’t notice Matt and Perry approaching until she looked up and found them standing in front of her.
Jayson and Nancy were also making their way over.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Matt smeered vore just a housewife who only knows how to cook and do laundry. What are you doing messing around with this? Do you have any idea how expensive these things are? If you break something, do you think your meager salary
could cover for
Uzbeherable
A country bumpin like her was trying to act like some industry elite?
Perry smirked as well
Even if the pool club incident had been a misunderstanding, what about this time?
There was no way Ariel actually understood drones. If she wanted to put on an act, she could’ve at least picked something
more believable
“Ms. Walker, you think getting an invitation here is going to change anything?” Matt slapped his forehead. “Nancy is the real deal. She’s an Arcadia Tech Pro Why don’t you copy that too?”
Did she really think pretending to be interested in drones would get Jayson’s attention?
At this moment, Jayson and Nancy walked up and overheard Matt’s words.
Nancy’s expression remained calm
. She understood Matt’s implication–that Ariel was trying to copy her.
Jayson cast a brief glance at Ariel and said, “What a coincidence. His tone was indifferent, almost detached
But Anel could hear something else in it
Did he think the same as Matt and Perry?
Clearly, Jayson had no intention of interacting with her in public. He didn’t want anyone misunderstanding their relationship
After fra one sentence, he led Nancy toward the competition area, not giving her a chance to explain.
As Matt passed by, be added, “Come watch Nancy operate the drone. You should at least know what you lost to, right?”
Perry stuffed one hand into his pocket, looking like he couldn’t be bothered to waste more words on her.
On the other side, Nancy stepped onto the stage
The audience erupted into applause
She smirked and raised an eyebrow at Jayson from the stage. He responded with a faint smile.
Their subtle exchange made the atmosphere even more electric.
