At 4:00 pm, the sky was gloomy with a biting cold wind rushing through the air.

Ariel received another call from Katie. “Grandma, what’s wrong?”

Katie rarely called during working hours, unless it was something urgent.

Katie hesitated for a moment before saying, “Ari, remember I mentioned wanting to sell the family home a while back? You wouldn’t let me, so I listed your mother’s closed–down art gallery. It’s just sitting there collecting dust, so I figured it’d be better to turn it into cash for you…”

She felt she had to let Ariel know. The latter hadn’t had it easy in the Larkin family, and Betty couldn’t bear to see her only granddaughter being looked down upon. She believed that if Elena were still alive, she would have agreed

too.

Ariel’s expression changed slightly. It seemed the call earlier hadn’t been a scam.

“Grandma, you don’t have to worry about my finances. I’m working now, and I’ll get substantial dividends every year. There’s no need to sell the art gallery.”

She understood Katie meant well and didn’t want her to feel powerless in the Larkin family. That was why Katie thought of giving her something to fall back on.

Katie hesitated and softly added, “But the buyer seems very eager, and they’re offering a good price. Ari, why don’t you just go and talk to them?”

Ariel rubbed her temples. “Fine. I’ll do that.”

Katie sighed and didn’t press further. Lately, she felt like Ariel had turned into a completely different person, working around the clock with no rest.

She grew increasingly worried that Ariel might be suffering mistreatment from her in–laws. Since the latter wouldn’t let her sell the family home, she thought of selling the art gallery and securing Ariel some financial independence.

Those worldly possessions meant nothing in the end, but they could back up Ariel when she needed them the

most.

Ariel quickly packed up and called back the number to confirm the address. Then, she took the subway over.

When she arrived at the agency, a young man greeted her with a broad, professional smile. “Ms. Walker, the buyer is quite generous. You’re looking at a deal well above the market value. This could be your lucky day!”

Ariel said nothing, not until she was led into the meeting room. When she met the gaze of the people inside, her body tensed, and her hands clenched in disbelief.

Jayson looked at her with a low, unreadable glance. “Do you have time to talk now?“”

The words were casual, but they cut deep. It was only now that she realized what the call earlier had been about.

Nancy and Matt, who were busy on their phones, were seated next to him. Both looked up briefly at her, and Nancy seemed unsurprised, while Matt arched an amused brow.

Ariel drew in a deep breath and walked forward. “You’re the ones buying my mother’s art gallery?”

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Matt shook his head. “No, it’s not us. Nancy is the one interested.”

Sarah had studied fine arts. She had brought a good number of paintings after coming back and wanted to display them in an exhibition hall. Being the kind daughter she was, Nancy decided to purchase an art gallery and house them permanently.

They hadn’t expected the seller to be Ariel.

Ariel’s face turned pale, and her chest tightened like she’d been struck by a cold wind. This was the last thing she expected.

Nancy glanced at her and crossed her legs elegantly. “My mom really likes the design and location of the gallery, so name your price.”

Ariel stared at her as her lips pressed into a firm line. Elena’s art gallery had been a gift from Timothy. He’d personally renovated it in such a prime location, and it was worth at least 200 million dollars!

Nancy’s tone was so casual as if she were buying groceries at the market.

Ariel turned her gaze to the composed Jayson by her. Her voice trembled as she said, “I’m not selling it.”

What hurt the most was knowing Jayson had arranged the whole thing. He knew it was Elena’s art gallery, yet he’d brought his mistress to buy it. What did he think of Ariel and the Walker family?

If Katie found out Sarah was the buyer and learn the truth that Jayson was cheating on Ariel with Sarah’s daughter, Nancy, she could never take it well.

Nancy chuckled lightly. “You can think it over. Like I said, name any price you want.”

After a pause, she slowly added, “Opportunities like this don’t come often. You could work your whole life and still not earn that kind of money.”

Ariel was a salaried worker with no special skills or degree. This was her golden chance to climb out of the mud.

Jayson calmly met Ariel’s gaze and did not speak or intervene.

Ariel couldn’t help but sneer. She was never one to pick a fight, but now she said, “You and I both know the Stanton family doesn’t have what it takes to buy a 200–million–dollar property in a prime location.”