Chapter 299
Jayson’s gaze stayed cool and composed, but something unreadable lingered behind his eyes. Still, his face showed nothing.
He didn’t look away deliberately, nor did he stare. He looked as calm as ever, even with a full view of her in that bikini.
Ariel rarely wore outfits like this, and he probably remembered that.
Ariel was caught completely off guard. She had assumed that the hot spring would most likely be empty this late at night.
It only took her a couple of seconds to process what was happening.
Then she quickly grabbed a towel from the side and wrapped it tightly around herself.
Her face showed no embarrassment, just a flicker of annoyance and discomfort.
She turned around, ready to leave without hesitation.
“Stay,” came Jayson’s voice from behind.
Ariel paused and turned back around.
He stood up and added, “I’ll go.”
She gave it a quick thought. Why should she be the one to change her plan and leave?
So she simply stood off to the side, waiting for him to gather his things and leave.
Even in a hot spring, Jayson wasn’t shirtless. He wore a plain white tee. On his exposed right arm, a scar that had only recently healed was still visible. It was hard not to be struck by the sight of it.
He quickly covered it with a towel.
Ariel had no intention of asking about it. After all, that scar was meant to be a badge of honor for the injury he took for Nancy.
Still, with the hot spring water soaking through the fabric, his shirt now clung to him completely. It outlined his toned, muscular frame with striking clarity.
Ariel didn’t react and didn’t look twice. She just turned her face to the side.
She already knew Jayson had a great body. It was a result of strict habits and perfect genes.
But that meant nothing to her now. It might as well have been just another piece of flesh.
Jayson threw on his robe and finally looked over at Ariel.
“Can’t sleep?” he asked while tying the belt.
Ariel didn’t plan to answer. But with just the two of them out here, his question hung in the air, impossible to ignore.
Without looking his way, she replied, “Yeah.”
Her voice was flat. The indifference practically seeped from her skin.
Jayson suddenly paused. He stared at her profile for a beat, but her distance didn’t bother him. “Alright, head up
1/2
Chapter 200
+25 BONUS
soon,”
He picked up his things.
But as he passed her, he slowed his steps. Then, almost casually, his gaze swept over her and landed on her abdomen. “You’ve always cared about appearances. Never ought of getting that scar removed?”
Ariel instinctively placed a hand over her lower belly.
She had been wearing a bikini. Of course he saw it.
Well, he hadn’t expected him to.
That scar had always been there.
Even during their most intimate moments back then, Jayson had sometimes brushed past it, but he never asked. He was never disgusted by it either.
Ariel knew why.
Jayson was a man raised with the finest education for an her. He was cultured, polished, and impeccably well- mannered. But at his core, he was cold and emotionless.
He never had a shred of affection for her, so he couldn’t even be bothered to care. He had no interest, no tenderness, and no concern for her.
He was probably only bringing it up now as a casual remark
Ariel didn’t flinch. Her voice stayed calm, edged with a distant chill. “That’s my business.”
Jayson looked down at her. His expression remained calm, and his deep eyes were impossible to interpret.
He held her gaze a second longer, then let out a faint smile ‘Enjoy. No one else will be coming by.”
With that, he turned and walked off without a moment’s hesitation.
Ariel didn’t care where he was going.
