Chapter 21
Colton came to his senses and replied, “Ms. Walker didn’t come up today, Mr. Larkin.”
That meant Ariel didn’t bring lunch over at all.
Jayson narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Colton burst out, saying, “I’ve checked with the PR department. Ms. Walker hadn’t come in for work today. They said that she has officially resigned. Is she throwing a tantrum with you, Mr. Larkin?”
Back then, Ariel made a point of showing up every day to deliver lunch. Jayson mostly wouldn’t touch it, only asking him to deal with it once in a while.
He didn’t really take her resignation seriously. He knew how much she needed this respectable and high–paying job. Regardless of what happened now, he believed that she could come to her senses and return before long.
Jayson casually unlocked his phone and started scrolling. He found Ariel’s WhatsApp text from a week ago, asking if he was coming back for dinner.
She stopped contacting him ever since the day he celebrated Nancy’s birthday instead of accompanying Ariel to the hospital.
“If you ask me, I’d think that Ms. Walker is just putting on airs!” Colton said dismissively, finding her tricks
repetitive. “She probably won’t be able to hold out for long and come back pretending as if nothing had happened.
11
He assumed Ariel was just trying to get Jayson’s attention and scoffed at the idea.
Jayson glanced at her profile photo before putting his phone away indifferently. He wasn’t planning to send her a WhatsApp message asking if something was up.
He then got up and said, “Make a reservation at the restaurant. I’ll have dinner with Nancy.”
Jayson looked up and added, “Did Matt and Perry go to meet Mr. Fletcher and the others today?”
Colton replied, “Yes. Do you need anything done, Mr. Larkin?”
Jayson strode out, saying, “Have them introduce Nancy so she can make an appearance.”
Colton immediately wore a knowing expression–as expected, Jayson would only be this attentive to Nancy.
Chad had a last–minute social event in the afternoon and wanted to bring Ariel along. (1)
She could only find an excuse to skip it as her stomach wasn’t feeling well recently, and she couldn’t drink alcohol due to her cancer cells anyway.
Chad didn’t insist. Instead, he asked Ariel to come pick him up when they were done, so she went shopping nearby.
In the past, she devoted herself to caring for Jayson’s needs, leaving little room for her own time. Even simple leisure activities like shopping were rare for her.
He was so particular about his food, clothes, and everything else that Ariel rarely thought about her own needs.
1/2
With the outcome of her treatment uncertain, she figured she should make the most of life and enjoy it while she could.
Ariel felt cold after walking for a round. She then retrieved the scarf Katie had knitted from the car and wrapped it
around herself.
Upon her return to the hotel, she asked Chad which floor the social event was on and headed straight up.
As soon as Ariel reached the door, she overheard someone inside saying, “You truly value Ms. Stanton a lot, Mr. Larkin! You even brought her over yourself. It’s our pleasure to meet someone as outstanding as her.”
She peered in and saw Jayson holding Nancy by his side. His gaze was gentle and appreciative as he turned to look at Nancy.
“The two of you are inseparable. I bet Ms. Stanton is about to become the perfect wife to Mr. Larkin soon, right?”
“You’re really lucky, Mr. Larkin. Everything would’ve been organized with someone like her taking care of your household.”
Jayson spoke slowly, “Nancy’s hands aren’t meant for trivial household chores–she has her own world to thrive in.”
Ariel’s hand, which was on the handle, grew colder by each passing second. So Nancy was meant for something greater, while she was only fit to be a housewife managing the household?
Chad, who remained silent, was also in the private room. He understood what was going on now.
He refused to meet up with Nancy today, but Jayson had ways to connect and create opportunities for Nancy. Jayson wouldn’t allow anyone to undermine her.
Ariel took a deep breath. Although she was about to part ways with him, she still felt saddened for her past self. She wrapped the scarf tightly around her neck, covering her pale face as she headed downstairs.
Chad came downstairs soon after. He was clearly in a bad mood. Through the car window, he spotted another scarf on the center console and said, “It’s so cold. Let me use that.”
Ariel handed it to him without hesitation. She didn’t want Katie’s hard work to go to waste since Jayson didn’t care for it.
Chad wrapped the scarf around his neck as he cursed, “Jayson is truly something else he has connections everywhere. I never expected him to bring Nancy over to meet me today. Who does she think she is?”
Jayson and the others walked to the parking lot.
Matt was the first to spot Ariel and Chad. He quickly noticed the matching scarves on them and blurted out in surprise, “Is Ariel cheating?”
