When Ariel noticed Perry standing not far away, her expression remained calm. She simply gave a polite nod as a greeting and did nothing more.

Perry could feel her indifference. At this point, he no longer believed she was playing hard to get.

Back then, he might have assumed she was using new tactics to win over Jayson’s friends, but now, he wasn’t so naïve to think that way.

Ariel genuinely couldn’t care less about currying favor with him.

Perry frowned slightly at that realization as a strange emotion stirred in his heart.

“Perry! Why did you come so early?” Still immersed in the world of knowledge Ariel had just opened to her, Freya could barely hide her excitement when talking to Perry.

Perry gave Ariel another glance before saying, “Don’t you know why? Did you bring your inhaler?”

Freya guiltily mumbled, “Ugh… You’re so naggy..

Ariel got up and said, “I’m leaving now.”

Perry nodded. “Alright.”

11

Ariel gave Freya a gentle smile before leaving, while the latter stared after her and was reluctant to see her go.

When Freya snapped out of it, she realized Perry was also staring at Ariel as the latter left.

“Perry, you’ve fallen for Ms. Walker too, haven’t you?” she teasingly asked.

Perry frowned and gave her a light flick on the head. Instead of answering, he chided, “You’ve been clinging to her for so long. Aren’t you worried she’ll get annoyed?”

Freya pouted. “She won’t! She likes me! You don’t know her at all. She might seem cold, but she’s actually super kind. Plus, she’s really amazing. Do you know what she does? Is she in drone research?”

Perry paused thoughtfully. Was Ariel that patient when talking to Freya? He’d thought she would ignore Freya out of dislike for him. As for drones…

“Drones?” Perry recalled the Drone Flight Control Invitational, where Ariel had first entered this field because of Nancy and later joined Faye Technologies, specializing in drone development.

Perhaps she did care deeply about Nancy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so driven to prove herself in that field.

He explained, “Her boss is in drone research. I guess she picked up some basic theory through exposure.”

That was his guess, and it probably wasn’t too far off.

As Chad’s assistant, she would have to understand the work at some level. Plus, she must have been quite smart to pick up on enough just to answer Freya’s simple questions.

Freya fell deep in thought. She didn’t think Ariel was just bluffing; the latter was just that good.

Ariel returned to her room and worked a little longer. She compiled several key technical issues that needed to be addressed with Chad the next day at the office.

When Janice and the others returned from their hike, it was dark.

Janice waved her hand dramatically and laughed. “I’m done. My legs are dead. Don’t bother calling me for dinner.”

Chad chuckled. “She charged ahead right from the start and ran out of energy halfway. Just shows how competitive yet terrible she is.

“There’s a camping site nearby. We can barbecue, stargaze, and perhaps watch the sunrise. Shall we check it out later?” he asked, visibly energetic.

Ariel thought about Freya’s invitation for dinner and hesitated. “Hold on. Let me ask.”

Chad seemed puzzled. “You made plans?”

Just then, she received Freya’s message. “Ms. Walker, if you’re ready, come over to the camping site at Oxygene Site No.3.”

Ariel smirked and looked at Chad. “Let’s go to the camping site.”

Chad didn’t ask further and rallied Faye Technologies employees to head over.

The hotel provided a shuttle. Once they arrived, Ariel led the way toward Site No.3.

But when they got there, they realized there were more than just the Houston siblings. There was another group.

Ariel noticed the man and woman sitting in the center.

Nancy was talking to Jayson, who leaned in slightly to listen. His cool, aloof features were softened with surprising patience.

That was when Ariel realized Jayson had this side to him too.

Thanks to Nancy, she now knew he wasn’t always as cold and detached as he’d been with her.

“Ariel, are you stalking us? Why is it that wherever Jay goes, you somehow end up here too?” Renee frowned irritably when she spotted Ariel.