Chapter 537

Chapter 537
Chapter 537
“It’s the least I could do.” Jayson smiled faintly.
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Ariel wasn’t hung up on what had happened that day. But now, face–to–face with Jayson, she could feel that he was no different than before.
Her suspicions back then had been baseless. Especially now that it was clear Jayson had been with Nancy at the time.
“Mr. Hockney, I’m going to check in first,” Ariel said softly to Carlos.
Carlos understood she had no patience for small talk. He nodded. “Alright, go get yourself ready.”
The weight Carlos placed on Ariel didn’t escape Nancy. She curled her hands into fists, and her heart sank.
She hadn’t expected this. Only now did she realize Carlos was one of the judges.
What if… Carlos played favorites with Ariel and scored her unfairly? 1
Nancy pressed her lips together as she frowned–a strange sense of danger coiled in her chest. Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
Carlos didn’t linger. He dragged Chad off to use him as free labor.
Only then did Jayson’s group enter the hotel to check in.
While Nancy was checking in, Matt glanced at Jayson and lowered his voice. “Ariel’s better than I expected. She actually made it through. Did you know beforehand?”
If not, then why had he agreed to sponsor this competition for Nancy in the first place?
He truly couldn’t make sense of what Jayson was thinking now.
Jayson smoothed his cuff with a faint glance downward. “Are Perry and the others coming tomorrow?”
Matt clicked his tongue. “Of course. Everyone wants to witness a competition of this level in person. I’ve already given away plenty of the tickets you gave me. The upper circle loves events like this. After all, focusing on major growth areas and catching the right opportunities and policy shifts are ways to make money multiply.”
He was still talking when Nancy suddenly turned around. Her eyes locked on Jayson as she asked, “Jayson, do you want to share a room with me? Save the trouble of checking in another one.”
Bluum Corp was the main sponsor of the event, and as its owner, Jayson’s presence was expected.
Matt froze. It took him a second to realize what Nancy had just implied.
She wanted to stay with Jayson? And she was being so straightforward about it?
Jayson gave her a cool look but said nothing.
Matt caught on instantly. He raised a brow with a casual grin. “You’ve got a big competition tomorrow. Focus on that. We won’t bother you. Less distraction that way. I’ve got some business to run through with Jayson anyway. Let me have him for now.”
His easy tone broke the tension.
Nancy was disappointed, but she also thought there would be plenty of time ahead.
After the first time, a second was only a matter of time.
F
She smiled as if it were nothing. “Okay.”
Back in her room, Ariel took a moment to unpack.
Chapter 537
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To her surprise, the place was beautiful, with a wide view of the national stadium. Just staring out at it eased some of her nerves.
After confirming with Chad when he and Janice would arrive at the venue, Ariel got ready to head down for some afternoon tea.
She had a few tickets. At first she thought about inviting Katie and Leonard, but Leonard was still recovering, and Katie wasn’t young anymore. Sitting through long hours wasn’t possible. So Ariel gave up on that idea.
After some consideration, she chose not to invite Cecilia as well.
The elevator arrived, and the doors slid open,
Just as Ariel was about to go in, she saw Jayson standing inside.
He looked at her.
Ariel hesitated two seconds before finally walking in.
The cramped, enclosed space held only the two of them. The doors slid shut.
At once, the faint cedarwood cologne he wore filled the air, threading into each breath she drew. It was invasive and impossible
to ignore.
She lowered her eyes and frowned silently. The air seemed to tighten around them.
Jayson glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Were you trying to tell me something that day?”
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