Chapter 417
“They’re staying at the same hotel,” Chad said. “It’s the official hotel for the conference. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can ask the organizers to move us somewhere else.”
He really was being considerate. They had flown in for work, but it was also supposed to be a bit of a breather.
Ariel shook her head. “No need. It’s not like they have anything to do with me. We’ll be behind closed doors anyway. Let them do whatever they want.”
Just as she finished speaking, Jayson and Nancy sat down a few tables away.
The line between them couldn’t have been clearer.
They had only just sat down when a little girl with braided hair walked over to Jayson. She was holding a bouquet of neatly trimmed roses and looked a little shy as she offered him one.
“Sir, would you like to give this flower to your girlfriend?”
Jayson looked down at her.
Nancy instinctively glanced at Jayson and couldn’t help but laugh a little before asking the girl, “Why?”
The little girl had slightly tanned skin.
At Nancy’s question, she turned to Jayson and asked, “Aren’t you boyfriend and girlfriend? A gentleman should always give pretty flowers to his girlfriend.“.
Nancy found the sweet–talking little girl rather charming. She took the flower the girl handed out, then looked across the table at the composed and refined Jayson. “Jayson, do you like it?”
Seeing the little girl looking at him with such eager eyes, Jayson sat up slightly straighter. He took out a large bill from his wallet and gently placed it in her palm.
“I’ll buy the whole bundle you’re holding, but we won’t be taking them. You can give the rest to anyone you like.”
The little girl was overjoyed and thanked him again and again.
Beaming, she turned and ran from table to table around the restaurant. As expected, she was met with plenty of surprised and grateful smiles.
A few minutes later, she placed one next to Ariel and whispered, “This one’s from that gentleman.”
Ariel froze mid–sip of her coffee. She glanced over instinctively.
As if sensing something, Jayson happened to look up at the same time, and their eyes met.
Ariel frowned and looked away. Her gaze fell to the flower on the table. She didn’t touch it.
Nancy noticed the little girl had given a flower to Ariel too, but she didn’t mind.
After all, Jayson had bought them for her. Ariel just happened to benefit from it. She was no different from any of the other random diners who got a flower.
Ariel ignored the flower.
Chad couldn’t help but chuckle. Just as the little girl was about to leave, he handed her two more bills. “Got any flowers left? I want your prettiest bouquet for this lady right here.”
The little girl hadn’t expected business to boom like this today. She nodded eagerly and ran off to grab the flowers.
Chapter 417
+25 BONUS
Chad placed the entire bouquet onto the empty chair next te Ariel, “All yours. What’s she showing off for with just one stalk?”
Ariel was rendered speechless.
Chad was acting childish for someone his age.
When their food arrived, Ariel’s phone buzzed with a WhatsApp call. It was Samson.
It was well past midnight in Eldoria, so she figured it must be something urgent and picked up the call. “Yes, Mr. Pryce?”
Samson had just wrapped up work and gotten home. Upon hearing her voice, he immediately smiled. “Are you in Nacsall? I saw your post.”
Ariel nodded. “Yeah, I’m here for an academic conference.”
“The one organized by BBR? I was invited too, but something came up at the last minute and I couldn’t make it. I actually know Nacsall pretty well. If you’re planning to stick around a few more days, I can recommend some great spots. One of my friends is there too. He could even be your guide.”
Samson spoke with surprising patience, but his straightforward personality could be a bit overwhelming.
Ariel was confused. “You called me just to tell me that?”
“Yeah. If you don’t mind, I could also be your personal long–distance tour guide.”
Chad immediately sensed something was off. He looked up, clearly surprised.
Ariel frowned slightly. “Mr. Pryce, what are you…”
11
Samson picked up on the hint of suspicion in her tone, though she hadn’t asked directly.
He rubbed his thumb over his phone, almost able to picture the look on her face. “Sorry, I’m trying to pursue you.”
Chapter 418
Chapter 418
