Chapter 370
Aside from that, Ariel actually ran into a few promising potential business partners.
They chatted for a bit, and she took the opportunity to learn more about their companies‘ strengths. She was already mentally laying out possibilities for the future.
Before long, she noticed Rachel Hewitt, Betty’s maid, making her way over. Rachel whispered, “Mrs. Larkin, Mrs. Larkin Senior would like you and Mr. Larkin to join the main table with the VIPs later.”
Frowning, Ariel refused right away. “That’s not necessary. It’s not appropriate, and Jayson wouldn’t agree to it either.”
Rachel hesitated. “Maybe you could talk it over with Mr. Larkin?”
Ariel instinctively scanned the crowd but didn’t see Jayson anywhere, so she said, “There’s no need. Just let Grandma know that we’re not making it public. Thanks.”
Before Rachel could respond, Ariel turned and walked off in another direction.
She had only taken a few steps when she ran right into Liam, who had just arrived.
He blinked in mild surprise when he saw her.
Ariel greeted him, “Dr. Spencer, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Liam nodded. “My grandpa’s an old friend of Mrs. Larkin Senior. I just came along with him to offer our congratulations.”
“I see,” Ariel said. She didn’t ask anything further.
They were barely acquaintances to begin with. She made a small motion to excuse herself, and Liam stepped aside.
However, he frowned as he turned to glance at Ariel’s retreating figure.
This party wasn’t exactly business–oriented. And as far as he knew, Faye Technologies didn’t have deep ties with the Larkins. So why was Ariel here?
He recalled the incident at the hospital as well.
Liam slowly pulled his gaze back.
Meanwhile, Ariel had to take a work call. Noah was having trouble with data testing, and he needed her to walk him through it. To avoid the crowd, she stepped out to the corridor outside the hotel.
“Adjust the algorithm. There’s something wrong with the data.”
As Noah explained the issue over the phone, Ariel immediately pinpointed the source of the problem.
While the recalculations ran on Noah’s end, she glanced up and looked toward the parking lot.
Suddenly, her gaze stilled.
Under the warm glow of the streetlamp, two figures cast long shadows on the ground. Nancy had likely just driven over and was now looking up at Jayson.
Ariel wasn’t standing too close, so she couldn’t make out their expressions.
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Chapter 370
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But she vaguely saw Nancy take a small step closer to Jayson and gently tug at his sleeve. It was a subtle gesture.
The two of them were talking, but Ariel couldn’t hear what they were saying.
So Nancy came too.
Yet, for some reason, she hadn’t entered the banquet hall.
That explained why Jayson had been missing earlier. He had been out here meeting her.
This evening was supposed to be a celebration party for Ariel. And somehow, Nancy still made an appearance.
Clearly, they were in the middle of their honeymoon phase. They couldn’t even go one evening without seeing each other.
Ariel calmly looked away and turned to head in another direction while continuing her call with Noah. She didn’t spare Jayson and Nancy another glance.
Once they had the data sorted and the call wrapped, she made her way back into the banquet hall.
The moment she stepped inside, her eyes landed on Jayson. He was talking to a group of guests, but Nancy wasn’t with him.
Ariel didn’t quite understand why Nancy would pass up such a rare opportunity to appear in front of the Larkin family.
Had she left already?
As if sensing her stare, Jayson suddenly glanced up and locked his gaze on hers.
Their eyes met.
Ariel frowned instinctively, and she quickly looked away.
Just then, Rachel appeared again. “Mrs. Larkin, Mrs. Larkin Senior asked me to let you know there are plenty of people at the main table. No one’s going to notice you, so you don’t have to worry.”
Ariel glanced over.
The main table was enough to seat 30 people. She spotted Liam and Jackson already seated among the other guests.
Jayson was heading that way too. His gaze swept across Ariel’s face before he bent down to greet Jackson.
The latter rarely made public appearances, so he had drawn a steady crowd of people eager to say hello. He waved and chatted briefly with them.
Then, in the middle of the bustle, he suddenly turned to Jayson and asked, “Jayson, where’s your wife?”
