Chapter 427
After the wedding dinner, Ariel and Chad booked their return flight.
This trip had truly broadened Ariel’s perspective. She was already eager to return and discuss the feasibility of her ideas with Carlos.
She also got a clearer picture of where different countries stood when it came to tech innovation.
They didn’t run into Jayson and Nancy on the flight back.
The moment Ariel landed in Eldoria, she headed straight to the Hockney residence.
Even the exhaustion from the long–haul flight didn’t seem to matter anymore.
People in research had a switch in their brains that flipped when inspiration hit. It was like being powered by pure adrenaline.
Carlos, however, didn’t miss the fatigue in her face. Frowning, he waved her off. “Go look in a mirror. See what kind of zombie you’ve turned into. Sleep first. Then we talk.
Ariel was mercilessly kicked upstairs to her previous room to nap.
Chad even gave Carlos a big thumbs–up.
However, she didn’t sleep long. As soon as she got up, she dove straight into sharing her series of ideas with Carlos.
Carlos was the kind of mentor who knew exactly where to nudge her when she hit a wall.
Ariel was the kind of student who caught on instantly. There was rarely any need for lengthy explanations.
By the time their discussion wound down, Carlos added, “I heard a bit about the whole Cedric mess. Don’t bother with him. Ignore him, and he’ll eventually go away.”
Running off to Veyo Solutions to play technical advisor? He really had too much free time.
Ariel didn’t bother mentioning that it was Jayson who brought him in to help Nancy. She just nodded obediently.
She didn’t stay too long at the Hockney residence before heading back to her own home. Her plants still needed watering.
Just as she got through the door, her phone lit up with a call from Betty.
This was rare. Ariel answered, “Yes, Grandma?”
Betty broke into a cheerful smile as soon as she heard Ariel’s voice. “Ari, you just got off work?”
Ariel didn’t bother explaining that she had been out of town. “Yeah. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing major. I just have a question. Are you and Jayson coming home to celebrate his birthday the day after tomorrow? Should I have someone start prepping, or are you planning to go out on your own?”
Upon hearing that, Ariel frowned and glanced at her calendar.
Sure enough, Jayson’s birthday was just around the corner. She had completely forgotten.
There was no way she wanted to go back and play happy couple. So she just brushed it off politely. “No need to prepare, Grandma. We’ll probably celebrate on our own.”
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“That’s fine too,” Betty said. “Just stop by when you’re free Ari. I’ll have someone send over more supplements. You’ve probably gone through the ones I gave Jayson to pass to you, right?”
Ariel didn’t even blink. “Yeah.”
She had no idea Betty had asked Jayson to bring her anything. But knowing him, he would handle it his own way. Nothing would ever actually reach her.
“Alright, then. It’s late. Get some rest.”
“Goodnight, Grandma.”
The moment Betty hung up, Ariel shoved the whole birthday thing out of her mind.
There was a time when she would go out of her way for it. She would buy him gifts, cook him a full homemade dinner, and even bake a cake herself.
Since his taste was completely different from hers–he didn’t like anything too sweet–and most bakeries leaned sugary, she started making reduced–sugar versions just for him.
Jayson had only humored her once.
That year, he had to fly out at the last minute for work. He blew out the candles because she looked so hopeful. After that, he was always tied up with work. He made it clear he wouldn’t be coming back, told her not to prepare anything, and not to wait for him.
It was the same for Ariel’s birthday as well.
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Now that she was out of that loop and focused on her own life, she actually felt good.
If Betty hadn’t brought it up, she wouldn’t have remembered at all.
That evening, Jayson stopped by Larkin Manor to visit Betty.
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