When Janice referred to her as the boss‘ wife, Ariel couldn help but silently applaud Jayson for including that
lause in the divorce agreement about keeping their marriage under wraps.
That cause really paid off in moments like this.
“She probably acted like that because Fave Tech did play Vero Solutions a little dirty,” Ariel said calmly.
After all, it wasn’t her pride that got bruised in all of this.
Chad glanced over at Jayson. Nancy was clinging to his arm how, all smiles like nothing had happened. Clearly, she had been coaxed back into a good mood.
“Jayson probably thought you were targeting his precious sweetheart on purpose,” Chad said.
Ariel noticed it too. Nancy was laughing with Matt now.
She looked away. “That’s his problem. If he wants to come at me for Nancy’s sake, let him. Or he can just stew in silence. Either way, it’s none of my business.”
Chad gave her a silent thumbs–up.
The celebration went on as planned.
Then came the project presentation.
The big screen on stage lit up, rolling through a slideshow of the development journey.
Even Matt couldn’t help but comment, “This Faye Tech’s project is really some solid stuff. Even my father heard about it and said it’s top–tier.”
Perry finally looked up at that. He couldn’t help but glance in Ariel’s direction.
He had known for a while now that she was one of the people behind this project.
“Yeah, it’s definitely high–level,” Nancy said calmly, even giving credit where it was due. “After all, everyone in the industry knows what Mr. Hockney is capable of.”
Matt knew about the tension between Nancy and Faye Technologies.
She had been replaced last minute on the project. That was what eventually led to the creation of Veyo Solutions.
Well, at least something good came out of it.
“Still, it’s a shame. If that person at Faye Tech didn’t have it out for you, you’d be one of the key contributors now.
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Matt shrugged. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who had pushed Nancy out.
If he were Ariel, and his romantic rival was as talented and impressive as Nancy, maybe he would have done the same–cut her out any way he could.
Nancy frowned, then said, “It doesn’t matter. Veyo Solutions will have better projects.”
Matt gave a nod of admiration.
That was confidence backed by ability.
Onstage, the emcee spoke up. “And now, let’s welcome the project lead to the stage to give a speech and walk us
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through the journey!”
Jayson turned to the side, and Perry looked up too. Matt and Nancy instinctively glanced toward Chad.
But then, they saw Ariel rising from her seat and heading to the stage.
Matt froze, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Even Nancy furrowed her brow.
Why was Ariel going up there?
Shouldn’t Chad be the one presenting the core technical content?
Jayson’s eyes followed Ariel onto the stage. She looked completely at ease. Her voice was steady as she guided everyone through the presentation.
After a while, he raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.
“What’s going on?” Matt finally blurted out. “They’re letting Ariel handle the most important segment?”
Nancy didn’t say a word, but the disapproval in her eyes was clear.
Chad actually gave Ariel another opportunity.
He let her take the spotlight, just like during the tender that day. Did he prepare the key talking points for her this time too?
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At that thought, Nancy turned and glanced at Chad, who was sitting there, clapping along with
