Inside 17_Dead at Heart

Chapter 17 

 Ariel clenched her fists and replied calmly, “No one exactly enjoys stumbling upon something like that, just so you know.”

 She didn’t feel the need to exin further.

 Jayson fixed an intense gaze on her, his expression unreadable.

 “You’re just making excuses. You would’ve never admitted it if I hadn’t caught you!” Renee stared at her with an usatory gaze. “How annoying. This is a guesthouse, everything’s taken care of. We don’t even need you here, so why did you follow

 me up?” 

 For the past three years, she often went to Jayson’s ce whenever she wanted to escape Evelyn’s nagging on weekends or during holidays. Ariel would always look after her like a dutiful mother.

 Having gotten used to that dynamic, Renee instinctively thought Ariel was using the excuse of looking after her to deliberately pick fights with everyone.

 “What’s going on?” Wendy and Lucas also stepped out one after the other.

 He nced at Ariel, who was left fending for herself, and chuckled. “Why is the mood so tense, Mr. Larkin?” 

 Although Renee was young, she knew how to read the room. Upon realizing that Lucas was technically Ariel’s brother, she pouted but kept quiet.

 However, Ariel could tell that Lucas was giving them a way out to move on from this situation.

 Nancy didn’tment but turned to Wendy. “Let’s go grab a bite.”

 Wendy, uninterested in the drama, left with Nancy.

 Lucas smiledzily, as if he did not notice how awkward it was for Ariel. “You can handle your family matters first, Mr. Larkin. I’ll go apany my girlfriend for now.”

 He didn’t even mind that Jayson was parading around with his mistress, choosing to stay out of it like an outsider.

 Renee was about toment more when Jayson cast a brief nce over. Frightened, she immediately set off. 1

 Ariel’s gaze remained trained on Lucas‘ back.

 “What are you looking at?” Jayson’s indifferent tone snapped her back into reality. She looked up and met his emotionless gaze. He said, “Let’s talk.” 

 “I wasn’t spying,” Ariel calmly said.

 “Okay. Give me your phone.” Jayson seemed to believe her.

 Ariel frowned. “What for?” 

 Jayson briefly nced at her before reaching out to take her phone from her hand. He tapped on the camera icon and went into her photo gallery.

 Ariel’s face fell. Even her tone was shaky when she asked in surprise, “You suspected I was secretly taking photos of you?” 

 She couldn’t help but wonder if Jayson was trying to insult her. 

 He made sure there wasn’t anything suspicious in the gallery before returning the phone to Ariel. He coldly looked at her and spoke in a tone that left no room for argument. “You even hired paparazzi to take photos of us in bed three years ago. Who knows what else you’d do, Mrs. Larkin?” 

 She knew that Jayson was still bitter about what had happened three years ago. He always believed that she was the one who had shamelessly climbed into his bed while he was drunk, bringing in the paparazzi to expose that incident and pressuring him into marriage.

 No matter how Ariel tried to exin, it all felt futile. She had no evidence to convince him otherwise.

 “I’m surprised you’re still concerned that your rtionship with Nancy would be even more high–profile,” she said after

 calming down gradually.

 Jayson nced at her and replied, “She’s different. Her reputation would be tarnished if such photos got leaked.”

 It was clear that he was drawing aparison between Ariel and Nancy. Ariel had hired paparazzi to capture their intimate

 moments while he would protect Nancy’s reputation.

 Jayson had no intention of listening to her exnations. He cast a brief nce at her before turning to leave.

 Ariel chuckled bitterly: As she rounded the corner, she saw Lucas leaning against the wall, smoking. She wondered if he had

 overheard much.

 He looked up and asked, “Were you wronged?” 

 Surprised, Ariel suddenly felt as if the old Lucas was back.

 He flicked the ash from his cigarette and casually chatted with her for the first time since getting out of prison. “I’ve taken over the branch of Wendy’s father’spany. Lately, I’ve been working on a project with Jayson’spany.” 

 “So?” Ariel suddenly asked calmly.

 Lucas watched her closely, finding that she had changed. She had once been soft and meek, but now she was sharp and

 assertive. 

 “Don’t upset him,” he replied nonchntly. 1

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Inside 17