Chapter 66
Ariel wasn’t surprised as she sat down and began sorting through the documents. “Even if I say no, Jayson will find another way.”
Chad frowned. “What’s so special about that woman anyway? He’s head over heels for her!”
Ariel shook her head. “Love was never supposed to make sense.”
If she were being fair, Nancy did have the allure that could captivate a man.
Nancy and Jayson hadn’t known each other long, and it’d been three months at most. Yet even that short time far outweighed the three years Ariel had poured her heart into.
Chad looked at her and felt indignant on her behalf. He couldn’t help but mutter childlishly, “Maybe I should whisper in my dad’s ear and get him to blacklist the two of them.”
Ariel shook had head and said, “Jayson protects Nancy. If he finds out what you did, he’ll come after Faye Tech.
“Frankly, Faye Tech isn’t in a position to go head–to–head with Bluum Corp. There’s no point in stirring trouble over something personal.”
There were plenty of top–tier talents like Nancy, but meeting Carlos and receiving his guidance would put her in the highest tier, both domestically and globally.
Without Jayson’s support, Nancy’s path to Carlos would be a distant dream.
“Instead of worrying about others, it’s better to focus on ourselves. If Nancy can genuinely impress Mr. Hockney, that means she has the ability to back it up.
Chad reached out and ruffled her hair. “I’m just worried you’ll take it too hard.”
After all, as Ariel’s husband, Jayson had poured all his resources and connections into another woman. Meanwhile, Ariel was left with nothing in this emotional battlefield.
Ariel drifted off for a moment before offering a faint smile. “I guess I’ll have to stay rational. I can’t possibly force everything.”
If everyone acted on impulse, nothing would ever get resolved. Ariel didn’t dwell on it much longer.
These past few days, she’d been reading through the materials Carlos had given her, including books and papers. She’d been steadily refining her ideas.
Chad was full of praise as if he could already envision the success of the future project. He excitedly called in the entire engineering and technical teams for meetings.
If everything went well, they could send the refined proposal to Carlos by next week.
But before that, Chad suggested they meet with Jonathan. If their three–year project gained government backing, the results could multiply.
After arranging the meeting, Ariel and Chad headed to the chancery.
When they arrived, Jonathan’s secretary greeted them and casually mentioned a public piece of information- Jayson had brought Nancy in the day before.
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Ariel was momentarily stunned, but she quickly recovered. Jayson valued Nancy highly, and with his foresight, he naturally wouldn’t miss a chance to polish her.
The secretary smiled and continued, “Mr. Pearce is still considering Ms. Stanton’s proposal, so there’s still room for discussion. You two might have a good chance.”
There was nothing more said.
Jonathan had an excellent impression of Ariel. Especially after learning her secret identity, he took her more seriously.
Two hours passed after their meeting.
Though Jonathan didn’t make a definitive statement, Chad was completely unfazed. “With my years of experience, this is a done deal.”
Ariel smiled and hoped he was right.
OO
The next day, she sent Carlos a greeting message via WhatsApp.
Guilt had kept her from reaching out for a long time, but with her aspirations rekindled, she now felt the need to sincerely apologize to the man who had once seen her potential and tried to connect her with the aerospace research institute.
Carlos didn’t reply and was probably still mad.
Ariel understood she shouldn’t rush things since hearts didn’t turn cold in a day. She’d spend years trapped in a loveless marriage and knew the feeling all too well.
…
On her way to meet a client, Ariel ran into Jayson. He arrived at the venue with a special reception waiting for him.
This time, Nancy wasn’t with him, and that was rare.
Jayson noticed her too. He turned slightly with unreadable emotions flickering in his dark gaze.
Ariel subtly frowned. Something was off, and the gaze he gave her felt strange. Usually, he would have ignored her and never given her attention.
Instead of greeting him, Ariel walked straight into the building. He wouldn’t have responded even if she’d greeted him, and he’d only make things awkward.
After returning to Faye Technologies, Ariel heard the latest update from Chad that Jonathan had responded. He believed their three–year plan was viable and agreed to include it as a key–supported project.
Ariel let out a breath of belief, and her lips curled into a rare smile.
Then, Chad meaningfully added, “There’s one more thing. Mr. Pearce politely rejected Nancy.”
Ariel didn’t feel much. From the moment she learned Nancy and Jayson had visited Jonathan, they were competitors. Now that Faye Technologies had won, that spelled out Nancy’s result.
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Still, Ariel arched her brows and thought of the way Jayson had looked at her that morning.”
He and Nancy must have known the result before Ariel did. No wonder he’d looked at her like that. Did he think she’d taken Nancy’s chance?
“What’s on your mind?” Chad asked, still in a good mood.
Ariel snapped out of it and shook her head. “Nothing. I’ll send you the notes from this morning’s meeting in a bit.”
That afternoon, Ariel started to feel a headache coming on. When she touched her forehead, it felt a little warm.
She took a pill and decided to rest for a bit. But a few minutes later, her phone rang with a call from an unknown number.
Ariel hesitated before picking it up. “Hello?”
“Is this Ms. Ariel Walker?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“We’re from ArtHaven Syndicate. A buyer is interested in viewing the art gallery under your mother’s name. Would you be available to meet?”
Ariel frowned. “I’m not selling anything. You must have the wrong person.”
Assuming it was a scam, she hung up and directed her attention back to her work.
看
Half an hour later, she received an unexpected call from Jayson. He rarely contacted her. Even if he did, it was always to ask for something, or rather, one–sidedly inform her of it.
Ariel had never liked that dynamic. With her lips pressed in a thin line, she answered the call.
His voice came cool and steady. “Do you have time to talk?”
She flatly replied, “No.”
He appeared taken aback and was silent for a beat.
“Alright.” Jayson’s tone didn’t waver; he ended the call promptly.
There wasn’t even a follow–up or word of concern.
A
Ariel frowned faintly. Something didn’t feel right, but with so much on her plate, she chose not to dwell on it for
now.
