Chapter 321
Ariel’s voice was calm. It sounded like nothing more than casual chit–chat, with not a hint of sharpness on the
surface.
For a moment, the smile on Sarah’s lips froze. That question was too sharp. There was just no right answer.
Nancy’s expression tightened too, but she didn’t bother responding.
Whether she took the exam or whether Carlos had reserved a spot for her had absolutely nothing to do with Ariel.
Why should she explain herself to an outsider?
Fiddling with a sleek metal lighter, Jayson glanced at Ariel, who was standing alone in the night breeze.
Frederick looked at Ariel as well. “Why are you asking? Everyone knows Mr. Hockney hasn’t taken students in years. Ms. Stanton returns from abroad and suddenly a slot opens up? What do you think that means?”
Sarah quickly recovered her smile. “It’s fine. Nancy would rather earn her place on merit anyway. That way, it’s official. No one can question it.”
“Oh? Does Mr. Hockney actually know about this?” Ariel locked over. She had grown noticeably thinner, and even her once–gentle eyes now carried a sharp edge. “Did he say he wanted Ms. Stanton as his student?”
She wasn’t backing down. She wanted a clear answer. Besides, she knew full well that Sarah couldn’t give her one.
The smile on Sarah’s face gradually faded. “Ariel, you seem really interested in Nancy’s future, huh?”
This time, all eyes turned to Ariel. Even Matt, Alan, and a few executives began sizing her up.
Ariel tugged her coat collar a little tighter and said evenly, “Not really. It just so happens I’m applying to Mr. Hockney’s postgraduate program as well.”
As her words fell, the silence that followed was almost deafening.
Even Jayson’s eyes darkened as his gaze fixed on her again.
Nancy’s and Sarah’s expressions shifted all at once. Nancy frowned like she had just heard the most outrageous
nonsense.
Matt’s jaw actually dropped. After a few seconds, he leaned in and whispered to Jayson, “Has Ariel gone mad? She’s just saying whatever comes to mind now?”
And in front of this many people? She really had the nerve to bluff like that just to go up against Nancy?
Even Frederick was stunned. To him, this was unthinkable.
Did Ariel even know who Carlos was in this country?
Sure, applying to a postgraduate program wasn’t a big deal. But Ariel was aiming for aerospace, and she wanted to study under Carlos, the top expert in the country.
At that moment, Sarah finally understood just how ignorant Ariel really was.
Spewing that kind of nonsense just to compete with Nancy? Ariel was just like Elena, chasing things far beyond
her reach.
Frederick finally snapped out of his daze. His voice was laced with disbelief. “Ariel, you’ve barely scratched the surface working under Mr. Chad for a few months. And now you think you can go straight to the top?”
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Chapter 321
+25 BONUS
Perry had just walked over from the restaurant and caught most of what was said. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Ariel.
The others might not realize it, but he had a pretty good idea that she had been heavily involved in Faye Technologies‘ last project.
If she said she was applying to Carlos‘ postgraduate program, then maybe she actually had a shot.
Beside him, Alan muttered under his breath, “Doesn’t sound like she’s bluffing. Ms. Walker’s actually really capable.”
“Yeah,” Perry replied softly.
Alan frowned as he stared ahead, not quite understanding why Matt and Frederick were making such a big deal out of Ariel applying for a postgraduate program.
Caught in his thought, he didn’t hear Perry’s comment.
Just then, Janice pulled up at the curb and gave the horn two short taps.
Ariel cast a frosty glance at the people in front of her, clearly uninterested in entertaining their doubts.
She briefly glanced at Sarah, then turned to Nancy and said coolly, “I’m really curious if Mr. Hockney really reserved that spot for you.”
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