Chapter 78
Jayson lowered his gaze and looked at his phone without saying anything. Nancy lifted her brows and stayed silent as well.
Meanwhile, Matt patted Frederick’s shoulder. “She won’t do something like that.”
Ariel only had eyes for Jayson. She could not and would not dare have an affair with another man.
Frederick was confused. “What do you mean?”
Matt grinned and said nothing.
Chad truly had an appointment with someone else that evening. He was going to meet an expert.
He reminded Ariel repeatedly before leaving the hotel. “The restaurant in this hotel serves really nice pasta and seafood. You should try their food later. I’ll bring you some local treats when I come back tonight.”
Ariel chuckled. “Alright.”
They had known each other for many years, and Chad had always been very thoughtful. He would look out for Ariel a lot. Naturally, Chad was quite familiar with her food preferences.
Ariel was staying in an executive suite. After she put her things down, Ariel was suddenly reminded of Jayson and the others.
There were only executive suites on the floor where she was staying. The presidential suites were found on the floors above.
Ariel figured Jayson and Nancy were most likely staying on the higher floors. However, she did not think much of it.
When it was lunch hour, Ariel grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.
The hotel restaurant had classy, luxurious surroundings. Ariel picked a seat next to the window. Since she was dining alone, Ariel ordered pasta and soup for one.
Jayson’s group arrived there and spotted Ariel, who was alone.
She stood out quite a bit since the other patrons were dining there in groups. It made her appear rather lonely.
Ariel noticed them too. After a brief pause, she dropped her gaze and continued eating.
Ariel knew those people did not wish to see her. With how strange and awkward things were between them, there was no way they would choose to share a table. Hence, it was best for them to just stay away from each other.
Nancy averted her gaze from Ariel shortly afterward. Then, she followed Jayson to their table.
Matt looked at Jayson and raised his brows. “Doesn’t she look a bit pitiful sitting there all by herself? She has no one by her side at all. Should we ask her to join our table?”
Nancy paused while wiping her hands with a napkin. She turned her gaze to Jayson.
Jayson was flipping through the menu. He had an impassive look on his face. “What do you guys want to eat?”
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Chapter 78
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Nancy curled her lips. As expected, Jayson only had feelings of disdain and aversion toward Ariel. Most of the time, he would not even bother keeping up appearances.
Matt understood what Jayson’s response meant as well.
It would indeed feel very awkward for everyone. Ariel would only stick out like a sore thumb if she were to join their table.
Frederick was completely oblivious to all that. He said, “I don’t think that’s necessary. It was because of Ariel that Nancy was given the cold shoulder when she went to Faye Tech’s office previously. Why should we care so much about her situation now?”
After ordering a few dishes, Jayson suddenly pointed at one of the restaurant’s signature dishes shown on the menu. “I want two orders of this dish. Send one to the table over there.”
The waiter looked in Ariel’s direction. “Understood, sir.”
Nancy froze for a moment. However, she snapped out of it pretty quickly.
It would seem quite rude of them not to invite Ariel to join their table after running into her. She also looked sad and pathetic eating alone. Sending her a dish was a way of expressing their kindness.
Otherwise, they would appear too cold and heartless.
Matt gave Jayson a thumbs–up. “Right. You should still make an effort to keep up appearances. Ariel isn’t that hard to please. Any hard, bitter feelings she had in her would be gone once she received the dish from you.
Jayson remained silent. He raised his glass and took a sip of Romanee–Conti.
Ariel frowned slightly when the dish was served to her table.
The waiter smiled softly. “This is from the gentleman. I hope you enjoy the food, madam.”
Ariel stared at the dish. Then, she directed her gaze at the group of people who were chatting happily some distance away.
None of them had any intention of sparing any more of their attention to her.
H
Ariel would not naively assume that this dish was Jayson’s way of showing his concern. Instead, it was more like something Jayson had given her half–heartedly out of sympathy.
Just like the years during which she had been ignored and neglected by him, Jayson could easily dismiss all those things.
Ariel fixed her gaze on the dish for a few seconds. She did not touch it. Then, Ariel put down her fork, stood up, and left.
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