Ariel also had a bit more peace of mind.

She accompanied Leonard for lunch. At the same time, she recovered from the discomfort she felt from the radiation therapy. Then, she returned to Faye Tech to wrap things up.

Jayson never contacted her again.

The next day, before Ariel got off work, Betty called her. “Ari, what time are you getting off work today?”

“I’m just about to,” Ariel answered as she shut down her computer.

“Great timing! I told Jayson to pick you up. Come to the manor with him. There’s something I want to do, and I need you both to be present.”

Ariel was caught off guard. “Grandma, but I have another-”

“He’s arrived outside your company. You’ll see him when you go down.”

Ariel kneaded her throbbing temples. If it weren’t for Betty’s orders, Jayson would never come to pick her up.

She simply gathered her things before heading out. Indeed, a Bentley Mulsanne was parked outside.

A window rolled down. Jayson looked out at her and said, “Hop on.”

That was new to Ariel. Throughout the years she had been working at Bluum Corp, they had never gone home together after work, despite Betty telling him to do so again and again.

Now that she’d left Bluum Corp and he no longer had to avoid letting others know about their relationship, she finally had the “privilege” of having him pick her up from work.

Ariel gave it some thought and decided that whatever Betty was up to might not be urgent. “I’m not going over. Please tell Grandma I have something to attend to.”

“You can tell her that yourself. I’m not here to help you relay your message.” Jayson checked his watch, his expression cold.

Ariel noticed he wasn’t in a good mood. She mulled over it. He hadn’t agreed to attend Elena’s third death anniversary ceremony. She shouldn’t start an argument with him.

Eventually, she went to the car. Subconsciously, she glanced at the passenger seat but still chose to take the back

seat.

She was aware of his boundaries. That seat belonged to his girlfriend. She couldn’t sit there.

Jayson watched as she sat beside him and leaned toward the door. Pulling her coat tighter around her, she looked out the window. It seemed she didn’t have anything to say.

He withdrew his gaze. In an aloof tone, he told the driver, “Raise the temperature.”

Ariel was stunned. Was he looking out for her?

even

Then, she hung her head. She must be looking too much into that. Even if he had given out such an order on her behalf, it would have been out of courtesy instead of genuine concern.

When they arrived at Larkin Manor, Renee was already back from hanging out with her friends. She was now curled up on the couch, texting with someone else.

She was waiting for dinner to be served. Upon seeing Ariel, she pursed her lips. “All you know is to use Grandma to improve your relationship with Jayson. If it weren’t for you, he could’ve gone and watched a movie with Elena…

Nothing could stir emotions in Ariel now. She said nothing.

No wonder Jayson was in a bad mood. It turned out it was because she interrupted their date.

Betty emerged from the dining room. “Dinner is ready. Let’s eat.”

The wing Betty lived in was more secluded and was quite far from the main wing. Usually, only Jayson and Renee would visit her more.

Dinner was served.

Betty kept signaling at Jayson. “That dish is too far away from Ari. Serve her some.”

Jayson, though aloof, obediently did as he was told.

Ariel was well aware that a forced relationship wouldn’t end well. Betty was attempting something that wouldn’t result in any changes.

Ever since Renee sat at the table, she had hung her head low as she texted with someone else.

She couldn’t help but grumble through her text, “Grandma forced Jayson to pick Ariel up. That’s why your date was interrupted, Nancy. Ariel is such an annoying third–wheeler.”

Nancy replied, “It’s alright. Jayson and I are always together, anyway.‘

Nancy was unbothered at all. She even sent Renee several photos of the clothes she had newly bought, asking Renee to choose.

Renee glanced at Jayson. Then, she texted, “Nancy, put it on and let me take a look.”

Soon, Nancy sent her a photo. Renee’s eyes lit up at the sight of it.

Immediately, she clicked on the photo and showed Jayson her phone, making sure to turn the screen away from Betty. “Jayson, isn’t she gorgeous?”

Ariel was sitting right next to Jayson. She caught a glimpse of the photo out of the corner of her eye.

Nancy wore a lace dress with spaghetti straps. The neckline was so deep that she could almost see her breasts.