Chapter 324
Matt couldn’t be blamed for thinking that way. The gates of the Hockney residence were firmly shut, and Ariel stood outside, looking lost and weighed down. Anyone with eyes could tell something was bothering hér.
Now this was unexpected.
“Didn’t see Chad around either.” Nancy leaned back in her seat, casually pulling her gaze from the window.
Her tone was almost cheerful.
Not even Chad could solve this problem, huh?
Matt clicked his tongue. “If Ariel can’t even get past the gate, then Mr. Hockney must be seriously unimpressed. If she really came here trying to pull strings, that’d make it worse.”
He truly didn’t get it.
What was Ariel thinking, making that bold claim in public about applying to Carlos‘ postgraduate program?
Now she was caught in a difficult spot.
Nancy gave a nonchalant smile. “Who knows?”
But even as she played it cool, she had to admit Matt wasn’t wrong.
Ariel couldn’t even get past the front gate of the Hockney residence. Carlos clearly didn’t take her academic credentials seriously.
She had gotten close to Chad, and over time, she started believing she was on that level. She thought she could actually pull this off.
Thinking she could get into Carlos‘ postgraduate program was pure fantasy.
To those truly dedicated to academia, Ariel’s half–hearted attitude was nothing short of irritating.
Matt turned to Jayson. “Looks like she’s hit a wall. What do you say? Feel like doing a good deed and offering her a ride?”
Jayson didn’t even look up from his laptop. He clearly had zero interest in whatever was going on outside the Hockney residence.
His tone was flat. “Are you offering up your seat for her?”
It was obvious that he had no intention of giving Ariel a ride.
Nancy chuckled at Jayson’s response.
“Matt, you shouldn’t even ask that question. She’s already been humiliated. If we go over there now, it’ll just make her feel worse,” she said with an arched brow as she crossed her legs.
Matt clicked his tongue. “Damn. You’re really thoughtful.”
Nancy made a quick trip to the hospital.
Sarah had returned after the art exhibition. Worried about her health, she had nurses check on her regularly even when there was nothing wrong.
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But what Ariel said about the postgraduate program still gwed at her. She asked Nancy, “What do you think she’s playing at? Do you think she’s got something up her sleeve?”
“No.”
Nancy dropped her bag onto the couch and replied, “I ran into her today. She got kicked out of the Hockney residence. How embarrassing.”
Sarah found that funny. She smirked. “So her big talk was just bluffing. With that many people watching, she probably panicked and said it to save her dignity. Chad might lose his mind over her pretty face, but his father never would.”
Nancy agreed.
Ariel didn’t even qualify as a threat. She wasn’t even in the same league.
But…
Nancy turned to Sarah. “Are you sure those paintings are safe?”
Sarah immediately understood what she meant.
She adjusted her collar and replied lazily, “It’s all in the past. Elena’s been dead a long time. She’s not going to crawl out of her grave to haunt me.”
Nancy didn’t respond. There wasn’t much else to say.
The second art exhibition, happening in a few months, would be the big one.
If all went well, they would not only recoup every cent they had poured into Veyo Solutions but also secure their place among the elite.”
The Walker family was just a sinking ship now. Soon, they would be forever trailing behind the Stantons.
Ariel had been powering through her prep books the past two days.
Chad and Janice both knew she needed to study, so they had taken on extra work to give her space.
Even so, Ariel never used that as an excuse. When Chad had a meeting with a potential partner, she offered to join.
She was, after all, the lead on the upcoming project. She needed to be involved in every aspect.
The meeting went well.
Chad and the others had a lunch engagement afterward.
Ariel didn’t drink, and there was still company work to do, so she skipped it.
Janice texted and asked her to bring back some desserts from a nearby cafe.
Ariel made a slight detour.
The cafe near the World Trade Center was always packed. After ordering on the app, she had to wait a while for it to be ready.
Lori had just walked in when she spotted Ariel. Her eyes swept over her, and she said with a smirk, “What a coincidence.”
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Ariel turned slightly, her gaze sharp and indifferent. She didn’t bother responding.
She also noticed Lucas walking in behind Lori.
His eyes immediately found Ariel. He walked over, casual as ever. “Are you here for work?”
Ariel glanced toward the counter to check on her order. She clearly didn’t want to talk.
Lucas didn’t seem to mind. He gestured for Lori to place he order.
As Lori glanced at Ariel, a flicker of resentment and jealousy flashed in her eyes. She then reluctantly turned away to place her order.
Lucas stood with one hand in his pocket as he glanced at Ariel. “Word is Veyo Solutions has been riding high lately. Everyone wants a piece. After all, no one’s about to turn down a chance to make money. Jadeon Tech and Sanderson Group are both looking to talk long–term.”
Ariel slowly turned to look at him.
So the rumors were true. The companies looking to work closely with Veyo Solutions included Lucas and Morgan.
They knew full well that Nancy was the one who destroyed her marriage, though.
What a joke.
One had been like a brother to her since childhood, and the other was her own father. Now, both stood ready to support the very woman who had been the mistress in her marriage.
Ariel turned her gaze away coldly. When her number was called, she walked over to pick up her dessert without offering so much as a word in response.
As she was leaving, Lucas stepped into her path. “If you don’t want this, just say so. There’s still time to talk.”
Ariel didn’t react. She couldn’t care less, so she just simply said, “Do whatever you want.”
Lucas‘ pleasant expression faltered. He took hold of her wrist and snatched her phone like it was nothing.
She was a second too slow. Her expression darkened completely as she reached out to snatch the phone.
But Lucas had already dialed a number on her screen.
A moment later, his own phone began to ring from his pocket.
