Rachel couldn’t help but sigh. So much for Betty’s plan.
+25 BONUS
By now, Ariel had a pretty good guess at what Betty had been aiming for. She likely intended for Ariel to show up so she could take the opportunity to formally introduce her to the guests and celebrate her admission to Ashford University. That way, the party would have a legitimate guest of honor.
But Ariel had no intention of playing along. She showed up, sure, but that was all she was willing to give.
And Jayson had flat–out denied being married in front of everyone.
With both of them refusing to cooperate, Betty had no move left to make.
When people asked what the party was for, she could only dodge the question and laugh it off.
By the end of the night, when Liam was escorting Jackson out, the latter looked unusually serious.
Liam looked at him. “Grandpa, what’s on your mind?”
Jackson turned and looked back at the banquet hall. “Why do you think I brought that up today? Betty specifically asked me to mention it. She told me that Jayson is actually married but just never made it public.
“Remember, on my birthday, he brought a date with him? According to what I heard from Betty, that woman wasn’t his wife!”
Jayson was a decent man. Why did he have to be so fickle?
If Nancy knew he was married and still agreed to be his date, the Spencer family would never tolerate that. They would never work with her in the future.
Liam froze in his tracks.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
Taking all the recent events into account, even if Jackson had never said a word about who his wife was, the answer had already become clear.
As he looked to the side, he happened to spot Ariel stepping out of the hall.
So, Ariel was Jayson’s wife? Then Nancy must be…
Liam frowned at that thought.
Jackson happened to turn around. “What are you standing there for? Are you not getting in the car?”
Snapping out of it, Liam let his gaze linger on Ariel for two more seconds before swallowing the surprise and turning away. “Coming.
11
Ariel only came out tonight out of courtesy, so she had avoided any chance of being alone with Jayson or interacting too much with him.
She didn’t want to give anyone anything to speculate about
Near the end of the party, she texted Betty, saying she had something to take care of and was leaving.
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Chapter 372
+25 BONUS
Feeling helpless, Betty replied, “Where are you? I’ll have Jayson drive you. He should be with you.”
Ariel was about to reply when she heard footsteps behind her. Jayson was already there.
Thankfully, they were near the side entrance. There weren many people here.
“Are you leaving? I’ll take you back.” Jayson looked down at her.
Ariel didn’t even look up. Her tone was cool as she replied, No need, Mr. Larkin.”
11
She didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. Before the last word left her lips, she was already walking down the stairs.
Jayson stood there, silently watching her retreating figure. He didn’t go after her or try to stop her.
Only when she disappeared into the night on her way to the parking lot did he finally turn and slowly walk back to Betty.
Betty wasn’t in a great mood. When she saw Jayson, she frowned and snapped, “Go take Ari home. She’s leaving.”
Jayson didn’t respond. Instead, he sat across from her and said, “Grandma, let’s talk.”
Betty understood exactly what that meant.
“Grandma, this is between me and her. I hope you can stop interfering.” Jayson got straight to the point.
The fact that Jackson mentioned that so suddenly meant he already had a good idea.
Betty frowned hard. She hadn’t expected Jayson to give such a vague, noncommittal denial today.
Her original plan was to have Jackson expose Jayson’s marriage publicly and send a message to that shameless woman outside.
But no.
Jayson denied it, and Ariel didn’t say a word either.
“What? You’re actually defending Nancy now?” Betty’s eyes were sharp. To her, this was absurd.
Jayson simply gave a faint smile and didn’t bother denying Betty’s words. Instead, he shifted the topic. “Have you asked Ari if this is what she wants?”
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