Perry’s words came off more like advice than anything else without clearly revealing his true intentions.
But at this point, how could Ariel not sense what was really on his mind? He couldn’t even bring himself to say it outright.
She slowly turned to look at him. Even the last trace of distance in her eyes faded into cold indifference. “Mr. Houston, you’re more of a hypocrite than I expected.”
Perry froze.
Ariel didn’t bother saying anything more. She turned and walked off toward Janice.
Perry stood there for a long time, unmoving. She had laid bare something he hadn’t even realized yet.
From this moment on, she likely wouldn’t have anything to do with him ever again.
When Ariel found Janice again, the latter mentioned that Chad was still on the highway.
Ariel just nodded. She didn’t even bother to bring up the run–in with Perry.
There were still 20 minutes to go before the art exhibition was scheduled to begin.
From a distance, Ariel glanced over at the still–closed exhibit area. A swirl of emotions churned beneath her calm expression.
As she turned, she noticed a wave of reporters arriving at the venue.
Sarah, the center of attention today, was already giving a few light interviews.
Someone asked her what led her into the art world.
Sarah smiled warmly. “My parents were always supportive. Back then, studying art was expensive, but I came from a decent family, and they gave me everything they had. I grew up surrounded by art. It all just fell into place.”
At that, Ariel couldn’t help letting out a quiet, mocking laugh.
What a load of well–rehearsed nonsense. Sarah sure knew how to polish her image.
The truth was, Sarah’s background had always been modest. It was Elena who helped and supported her through university. And now she was dressing it up as her privileged upbringing.
Still, Ariel had to admit that Sarah was smart.
Once she got her permanent resident card, her tactics only leveled up. She connected with a number of influential people along the way, each playing a part at different stages. Step by step, she climbed her way up until she carved out a place for herself in the art world.
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Her career arc was dramatic enough to turn into a movie.
Ariel checked the time, then turned to tell Janice they should go get the paintings and draft sketches ready first.
The moment they turned, they came face–to–face with Frederick, who arrived late. His expression was tense, even laced with irritation, as he demanded, “What are you two doing here?”
Janice, already simmering with frustration, blew up the moment she saw him. “What’s it to you?”
Frederick knew Janice had a temper and couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. Instead, he turned a cold gaze toward Ariel and warned, “This isn’t the time or place for your drama.
“Are you trying to stir up trouble at Ms. Stanton’s big moment? Do you even know what boundaries are? If you don’t want to embarrass yourself, you and Janice had better leave.”
He couldn’t see any good reason for Ariel to be here. She was probably here to stir up trouble for Nancy. Wasn’t the research paper scandal enough?
Ariel was now convinced that Frederick might really be planning to marry Nancy. She let out a cold laugh. “Do you even have the right to speak on her behalf? Mr. Swanson, I’m really curious what’s in your head.”
Frederick’s face darkened instantly.
Janice immediately stepped between them and gave him a hard shove. “Are you blind? Do you even have the guts to tell Dad you’re into someone like Nancy? And you want to marry her? What kind of delusion is that? You really think she can leech off our family?
“Frederick, if you don’t wake the hell up, I swear I’ll go home and tell Dad everything. Let’s see if he’ll break your damn legs.”
Everyone knew by now that Nancy was the woman who wrecked Jayson’s marriage.
The whole scandal had blown up, and Nancy’s name was practically infamous.
At least in Eldoria, no respectable family would ever accept a woman who blatantly tore apart someone’s marriage and threw a family into chaos.
Basically,
aside from the Larkin family, most of high society had pretty much blacklisted Nancy.
Her name was poison in those circles.
The fact that she and Jayson were still flaunting their relationship only made it worse.
If Nancy didn’t end up marrying Jayson, she would have no plan B. Every other door was already slammed shut for her.
That was the truth.
Frederick’s face was stormy now. Even his good looks couldn’t mask the fury boiling beneath.” Janice, you’re completely out of line!”
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Janice curled her lips into a sneer. “You want to marry Nancy? Does Jayson know you’re lusting after his woman? What are you gonna use to compete with him? Are you dumb, or do you think Nancy is?”
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