The engagement party was still ongoing.
It was a fun, modern party. The organizers had also arrange for an exciting game session. The atmosphere was electric.
During the party, Lucas didn’t bother greeting Ariel. This was their first time meeting again in a long while after they had parted ways in a rather spiteful manner the other day.
It was because they had lived together as a family for more than ten years that Ariel had chosen to keep things civil and respectful between her and Lucas even at this point.
Things weren’t always either black or white in a grown–up’s world. Most of the time, people would just silently drift apart.
Ariel had attended today’s engagement party mostly because she was trying to meet Liam. Also, she wanted to avoid having Lucas show up at Faye Tech’s office and causing a ruckus.
At the same time, she was trying to show Lucas that he was nothing more than a family member who used to be kind to her. However, she had chosen to cut ties with him now.
There was no such thing as her having any lingering feelings for him. Ariel was certain that Lucas would get the idea after seeing her there today.
Ariel reckoned she was just one of the many guests invited to the party.
People started gathering around one corner of the deck.
Just then, Ariel received a WhatsApp message from Noah, asking about some technical issues. She lowered her head and replied to his message. So, Ariel had not paid attention to what was happening over on the other side.
By the time she had sent her reply, Ariel finally noticed that people had gathered around Lucas, Wendy, Jayson,
and Nancy.
Someone asked Lucas and Wendy about what made them decide to get engaged.
Lucas said slowly, “Wendy is a wonderful woman. She was the only one who stayed by my side when I was at my lowest. Most people won’t come to appreciate you even if you’ve done a lot for them. Someone like Wendy is hard to come by.
“She’s sacrificed a lot for me. I think I should fulfill my promise and take good care of her. After all, I wouldn’t want to let her down like how others had let me down.”
He cast a meaningful glance in Ariel’s direction.
Wendy’s face flushed scarlet.
The others wanted to ask the couple more questions.
Lucas grinned. He gave another sideways glance at Ariel, who sat in a far corner.
“We chose to celebrate our engagement in this format since we wanted our guests to have fun and relax. It won’t be interesting if you’re only asking about me and Wendy. I’m pretty curious about Mr. Larkin’s dating experience.”
His question intrigued a lot of people. People directed their gazes toward Jayson. Then, they would look at Nancy as well.
Nancy was caught slightly off guard. She chuckled and shook her head. Before Jayson could say anything, she
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responded, “Stop pulling our legs. Jayson and I don’t want to steal the spotlight from you and Wendy.”
Jayson said nothing. He probably agreed with Nancy’s stance.
“I guess she can even speak for him now.” Janice crossed her arms and sneered.
Lucas was asking about Jayson’s dating experience just now. He didn’t even mention Nancy’s name, yet the latter was too eager to share her opinions as Jayson’s partner.
Most of the guests there were already aware that Nancy was Jayson’s lover.
Ariel didn’t even look up. She couldn’t be bothered to listen to what they were talking about.
Just then, someone suggested playing a new game. Winning the games would be a good omen for Lucas and Wendy, who were getting engaged that day, so players should try their best..
A lot of the guests at today’s engagement party were young people, and they were mostly interested in joining the
game.
Janice dragged Ariel along to join in on the fun.
Participants needed to draw lots. Ariel drew one. The game she had ended up picking was feeding another guest while being blindfolded.
She had to draw lots again to pick the person she would be feeding the food to.
Ariel felt that she might feel uncomfortable doing that with a stranger because of her quiet, reserved nature. She was about to ask Janice if the latter wanted to play the game in her stead.
Wendy noticed what Ariel had picked for the game. She beamed as she placed the blindfold over Ariel’s eyes. “You need to be blindfolded when you draw lots to pick the person too.”
Ariel said nothing else and drew a number.
Ariel had no idea who that person was. However, the noises around her seemed to have died down briefly before it became noisy once more.
Shortly afterward, Ariel could sense someone stopping in front of her.
That person had not spoken. However, Ariel detected a faint, familiar scent. She froze as she had an inkling of who was standing before her.
Her brows furrowed.
Suddenly, she heard Jayson’s voice coming from somewhere above her. “Why are you just standing there?”
Ariel couldn’t understand what Jayson was doing here. She said, “You could have said no, Mr. Larkin.”
“I don’t mind playing along since it’s a gesture of goodwill and my well wishes for Mr. Sanderson and his partner, “he said in a calm, relaxed tone.
Ariel couldn’t see the expression on his face, and she couldn’t come up with a good retort.
It would seem like Ariel was overreacting if she were to back down now. After all, most people here were unaware
of their relationship. Others might start getting suspicious if she had reacted strangely now.
Nancy and the others were aware that Ariel had picked Jayson’s number while drawing the lot.
Zach was a bit curious as he went up to Nancy. “Ms. Stanton, do you not mind that Ariel has picked Jayson’s number earlier?”
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Nancy’s expression remained unchanged. She replied calmly, “It’s not that big of a deal. I gave Jayson permission to join the game. Otherwise, it would be awkward for Ariel to stand there all by herself.”
Zach had a sudden realization.
That made a lot more sense. If Nancy hadn’t given him permission, Jayson might not have even considered doing this favor for Ariel.
As expected, a woman who was truly loved and cherished would feel calm and confident.
Samson had also noticed what was happening over on Ariel’s side. He just came back after taking a call. He asked curiously, “Do Mr. Larkin and Ms. Walker know each other
Zach frowned and glanced at Nancy subconsciously. It was not like he could just say it out loud that Ariel liked Jayson.
Nancy turned her gaze toward Samson. She could sense his charisma. Moreover, the man seemed to be acquainted with Zach. Nancy reckoned Samson must have quite an unusual background.
“Who’s this?” She greeted him politely.
Samson finally spotted Nancy.
“Sorry, I didn’t notice you just now. I’m Samson Pryce.” He introduced himself.
“He didn’t notice me?” Nancy pondered.
She smiled faintly and decided not to take his words to heart. In the past, some men would say something like that when they were trying to get to know her.
Nancy felt like she understood now why Samson had asked Ariel for a dance in front of all those people just now.
Since Samson didn’t share much about his background, Zach said nothing about the man’s true identity either.
On the other hand, Ariel had completely lost her sense of direction after she was blindfolded. She had to feed Jayson some fruit.
Initially, it was a fun game designed for the couple getting engaged today and the other couples who came to the
party.
Unfortunately, Ariel had picked Jayson out of so many other guests. She tried a few times, but her attempts were unsuccessful.
Ariel couldn’t care less about sharing her well wishes for Lucas and Wendy anymore. She raised her hand to take off the blindfold.
“You have such little patience.” Ariel could hear Jayson’s nonchalant voice once again. If she were to pay closer attention, it sounded like he was smiling slightly.
Ariel frowned.
Jayson had probably bent forward slightly to make it easier for Ariel. He said monotonously, “Don’t you know how tall I am? You can’t even tell that much now?”
Ariel vaguely sensed that Jayson was moving closer to her.
Her brows, which were concealed by the blindfold, drew together in a deeper frown. She backed away immediately.
Jayson seized Ariel’s wrist and pulled her back toward him.
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“Ariel, are you trying to keep your distance from me?”
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4
