Ariel said that in a calm manner. Even if Zach had strong backing and Gary was a top government official, Ariel didn’t give in and try to butter them up.
Since the day Zach had visited Faye Technologies‘ office, Ariel had known that Gary would eventually get involved in this. After all, their new flight control system had become essential in this industry.
Ariel and Zach did not bear any deep grudges against each other. However, Zach clearly held some kind of irrational prejudice against her.
Ariel was not going to cover things up for him, even if Zach had dragged Gary into this. Zach could not possibly hope that she would smooth things over for him if he just stayed silent.
Ariel had a certain way of doing things. They could only move on to talk about other things once they had settled this issue first.
She made her stance very clear.
Gary was caught slightly off guard.
He could roughly tell what kind of person Ariel was. She might appear gentle on the surface. However, she was no pushover. For her to make it so painfully clear that she would not back down on her stance…
Gary turned his eyes to Zach.
Zach was thrown off balance as well. His lips turned pale as he pressed them together tightly. He seemed a bit irked, staring at Ariel’s face.
Zach didn’t expect Ariel to bring this up right in front of Gary.
“What happened?” Carlos had a stony look in his eyes.
Gary furrowed his brows and stared at Zach. He would slap Zach on the back of his head right now if he could.
Of all people, a grown man like him had gotten into arguments with a lady?
Ariel didn’t bother to help Zach save face. She put down her cup and said, “Would you mind enlightening me about why you often scorned and ridiculed me, Mr. Zach? You also accused me of having behaved inappropriately and being involved with several men at the same time. Do you have any proof of that, though?
“I don’t recall having met you that many times, nor do we know each other so well for you to be making those remarks about me.”
Zach’s face was drained of color.
Gary’s face darkened upon hearing those words. He slammed his hand on the table and rose to his feet in anger. Zach Quinton! What on earth have you done?”
Gary felt that Ariel must have chosen her words carefully before saying what she just said. Zach had most likely said some really harsh things to her previously.
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Even Carlos‘ expression had hardened. He cast Gary a sidelong glance. “Your son is such a ‘gentleman.‘ He’s even bullying a frail, young lady now.”
Carlos put his glass on the table. He didn’t bother showing the Quintons any more patience or courtesy. With a frigid expression, he stood up and walked off.
Gary felt a sense of helplessness when he noticed how angry Carlos was. With Carlos‘ stubbornness, Gary would
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Chapter 349
have to spend quite some time trying to appease his anger
With a deep frown on his forehead, Zach glared at Ariel. He was seething with anger and exasperation.
He couldn’t believe Ariel had just asked him those questions.
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Was she not aware of what she had done? While she was being overly chuminy with Chad, Ariel was also trying to catch Jayson’s attention. Chad was single, so it was fine. However, Jayson had a girlfriend.
As a woman herself, could Ariel not understand how Nancy would feel about it? Yet, Ariel still tried to get in between the couple?
However, Zach couldn’t possibly say these things now, especially not when Gary was around.
Gary was livid. He shot a glare at Zach. “Ariel was married until a while ago. You can’t make these baseless accusations about her that could damage her reputation! Apologize to Ariel now!”
Zach paused for a split second when he heard Gary say that Ariel was married until a while ago.
He could not help but wonder how Gary had found out about Ariel’s husband. Moreover, who exactly was this man?
Chad instinctively glanced at Ariel when he heard Gary bringing that up. Then, he smiled wryly at Gary. “It’s all in the past now, so there’s really no need for us to dwell on it too much.”
Gary looked at Ariel, who remained silent, and understood what Chad was trying to imply.
He slapped Zach on the arm. “Say something. Have you gone mute?”
Zach’s lips were pressed into a thin line. Eventually, he heaved a deep breath, lifted his glass, and stood up.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Walker. I should’ve been careful with what was saying, and I showed a lack of judgment in the past. As a way of apologizing for my past mistakes, I’ll finish this drink in one gulp.”
He threw his head back and downed his drink.
His neck flushed red as he gulped down the drink with fairly high alcohol content. It was impossible to tell whether it was the alcohol or the embarrassment that made him turn red.
Ariel knew it was not easy for someone like Zach to apologize to her. For a man with a strong sense of pride like Zach, he would feel awfully defeated having been forced to apologize to Ariel, even if he was not really sincere about it.
Ariel could tell that Zach would not think he had done anything wrong.
She didn’t care whether he was being sincere with his apology or not, either. She had simply done this to remind Zach that he shouldn’t be too full of himself.
Ariel looked away from Zach’s face and turned her gaze toward Gary. She said politely, “I’m sorry to have bothered you with these issues today, and thank you so much for being so impartial about it.
“Faye Tech is more than willing to do business with you, Mr. Gary. We can also sell the patent license to Vireon.”
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