Ariel dropped her gare and sipped on the sea water. She acted as though site was justboring to some stag love story.


    Janice snickered upon learning the truth. “Mr. Lakin is send a great men for the saka et one person,, he’s making everyone else drink non–alcoholic drinks as well.”


    only


    Tom hadn’t noticed the underlying meaning behind Janice words. Be thought she met


    Tom grinned. “Mr. Larkin is really thoughtful when ites to Ms. Stanton’s affairs. I bape you gu this arrangement<b>. </b>Drinking is quite harmful to a person’s health, after all. Isn’t it fine if we just skip the drinks am today


    Tom continued, “Ms. Stanton has been extremely busy. She has to handle a lot of things on the eye Solutions side. At the same time, she’s been trying to make time to offer her support and expertise for an independent project <b>that </b>Nexura Solutions hasunched.


    “She’s smart and hardworking. Naturally, Mr. Larkin mustee worried about Ms. Stanton’s condition after learning <b>that </b>she’s fallen ill.”


    Chad smiled dryly. “They’re such lovebirds. Why does it seem like the two of them aren’t nning to get tanned yet, though?”


    Tom gave a chuckle. “I heard Ms. Stanton talking about it before when I worked with her predresy. She said she wanted to focus on building her career and improving ber suse of self–worth for now I’m guessing Mr. Lakin is probably ready <b>to </b>tie the knot whenever Ms. Stanton is rear for it too.”


    Ariel remained unperturbed as she listened to what Tom was sharing.


    However, Janice couldn’t stand to hear the rest of it. She might gag if she were to listen to any more of this


    nonsense.


    She cut Tom off and changed the topic. “We heard that Nextra Solutions would be assisting with the project under the Department of Defense?”


    Tom’s brows lifted. “Mr. Larkin’s n was to make Nexura Solutions the Vego Solutions team’s backup and support to ensure we could win the contract. During the project execution, Nexxure Solutions would not be interfering with Veyo Solutions‘ work.”


    Ariel didn’t see any issues with this arrangement. After all, Faye Technologies had assigned the most basic parts of the project to the Veyo Solutions team. They wouldn’t need any help from Nexere Solutions


    However, judging by what Tom just said, Jayson had decided from the beginning that Nexure Solutions wouldn’t? be assisting Veyo Solutions


    Ariel wondered if Jayson had only added Nexara Solutions to the equation initially just to increas their chances of winning the contract.


    If Jayson had decided from the start that Nexura Solutions wouldn’t be helping Vege Solutions with the geziect, then he probably already knew that the Faye Technologies team wouldn’t allow Vego Solutions to participate ?n the development of the core technologies for the project.


    What Ariel couldn’t understand was why Jayson hadn’t tried to prevent this straation from happening, even though he knew <b>it </b>was bound to happen.


    “What is he up to?” Ariel pondered.


    “Did you and Ms. Stanton already discuss and finish assigning the workload for the project, Mr. Hockney?” Tom asked since they were on the topic.


    Chad responded, “More or less.”


    Tom said, “I’m d to hear that. Veyo Solutions has a prettypetent team of engineers at the moment. The twopanies will work on the research simultaneously and integrate their work in the end.


    “With the different strengths eachpany has, I’m sure the oue will be wless and impable.”


    With an enigmatic expression, Chad shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. The Veyo Solutions team won’t have to work so hard.”


    Chad was confused. “What do you mean?”


    Ariel mentioned nothing about how Veyo Solutions had fallen for the trap they had set up. She said tly, “Isn’t Ms. Stanton feeling weak and unwell recently? We’re lessening her burden by cutting down on her workload.”


    Janice nearly burst outughing. Ariel could be extremely funny when she was trying to be sarcastic.


    Tom became even more confused. He was about to ask another question when Nancy came up to their group at


    that moment.


    She probably heard what Ariel just said. However, Nancy decided to greet Tom first. “Mr. Chapman.”


    Her voice interrupted Tom’s train of thought. He smiled and greeted her as well.


    Nancy nced at Chad. Although Chad sided with Ariel now Nancy wasn’t about to make an enemy out of him.


    Considering Chad’s status and abilities, she believed there was a chance for them to form a friendly rtionship.


    Even though she was quite unhappy about what happened with the project under the Department of Defense, Nancy decided to be the bigger person and greeted Chad. “Mr. Hockney.”


    Without waiting for his response, Nancy turned around and was about to walk away. Suddenly, she halted.


    Nancy nced over her shoulder at Ariel. There was an impassive look on her face.


    “Please be mindful of one thing, Ms. Walker. I’m currently managing Veyo Solutions. So, please try to show me, thepany’s top executive, some proper respect.”