Chapter 140
The resort was quite full for the holiday season. Most of the guests were wealthy or influential, and the service was top–tier, on par with a five–star experience.
As soon as Ariel and her family arrived, resort staff stepped forward to help with their luggage.
Katie had spent most holidays in hospitals with Leonard over the years. This year, the whole family was finally together. She smiled happily.
“The air here is so fresh. It’s really lovely. Spending the holiday with so many people like this is a whole new experience for me.”
Ariel pushed Leonard’s wheelchair and responded with a gentle smile, “As long as you like it. By the way, your suite with Uncle Leo is right next to my room.‘
“A suite has a bunch of rooms, though. Why not just stay together?” Leonard asked.
Ariel smiled lightly. “I might have an online meeting with Chad later. I didn’t want to bother you two, so I booked separate rooms.”
She casually moved on from the subject.
Her bag was packed with bottles of targeted drugs. Over the years, Leonard had become highly sensitive to medications due to his illness, so Ariel had to be extra careful not to raise any suspicion.
The dinner had to be arranged in advance with the resort.
After settling Katie and Leonard in, Ariel went downstairs to confirm the dinner booking with the resort manager.
Once that was handled, she headed to the elevator.
Just as she reached it, she saw Perry on a call nearby.
He caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and froze for a moment before giving a nod in greeting toward Ariel.
Ariel was momentarily surprised but walked over to him.
She noticed the elevator button had already been pressed, so she simply stood there quietly, watching the floor numbers blink as she waited.
Perry said into the phone, “It’s a newly developed resort. Great environment, but I think they’re fully booked for tonight.”
Matt groaned from the other end. “Man, if I’d known, I would’ve gone with you. I just got home, and Grandpa chewed me out for an hour.”
“That’s sad.”
“Can I come over now? I’ll crash in your room.” Matt wanted to join.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened.
Ariel stepped in first. Seeing Perry still on the phone, she asked politely, “Are you coming in?”
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Chapter 140
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Perry looked up. “Yeah.”
He stepped inside.
Matt, on the other end, suddenly sat up straight. “Wait, was that a woman? You’re with a woman? Who’s that? Her voice sounds nice!”
He immediately smelled something suspicious.
Perry glanced at Ariel, who stood calmly before him with a cool expression. He pressed his lips together. “You heard wrong. Anyway, there’s no signal in the elevator. I’m hanging up.”
“There is a signal!”
Ignoring Matt’s yelling, Perry pocketed his phone and looked at Ariel. “Are you here for the holiday?”
Ariel hadn’t planned to chat, but since he asked, she replied politely, “Yes.”
Perry instinctively followed up. “You’re not going back to Jayson’s place?”
She couldn’t blame him for asking.
In previous years, after all the family obligations were out of the way, they’d often go out drinking. And every year, Ariel would worry about Jayson overdrinking. She’d always come early to pick him up, bringing hangover soup she had made herself.
Not just for Jayson, but she’d bring enough for the rest of them too.
She had been gentle, thoughtful, and easy to get along with. But what had they done?
Matt would drink the soup and tease Ariel, saying, “Ms. Walker, not to be rude, but when Jayson comes out to have fun and doesn’t invite you, it’s because he doesn’t want to be bothered. You don’t need to use hangover soup as an excuse to see him.”
Perry had said nothing at the time.
Even though he knew those words were harsh for a young woman, he hadn’t stopped Matt. He had even silently agreed with Matt.
They all hated Ariel, believing she had forced her way into Jayson’s bed and ruined his marriage.
