Ariel’s eyes widened as she stared at the man who had taken a seat at the table.


    Cedric Warbrooke was widely recognized as someone on par with Carlos in terms <b>of </b>his knowledge and expertise.


    Cedric hadpleted his studies and done some research in Merinia during his younger years. He returned from abroad about 20 years ago.


    Since then, he and Carlos had been working to contribute to the development of their country’s aerospace and military tech. All these years, Cedric and Carlos had often been referred to as the two greatest scientists of the century. Both of them had a high standing in this industry.


    However, Cedric had retired a few years back. Most of his students were currently working for the Department of Defense, conducting in–depth research on anything and everything rted to military tech.


    Even the project about the sixth–generation fighter jet that Gary had spoken to Ariel about, which was scheduled to happen in thetter half of the year, was part of their research.


    “Mr. Warbrooke? Jayson managed to convince someone like him toe out of retirement?” Chad was honestly surprised. Since he grew up in that kind of family background, Chad had a moreprehensive understanding of certain things.


    Cedric was well–known for his entricity and foul temper Nevertheless, he was acknowledged as a one–in–a- million, top–notch expert.


    “Is he someone that impressive?” Janice was clueless about these things. She blinked, looking slightly puzzled.


    Ariel slowly nodded. “He’s someoneparable to Mr. Carlos. The two of them had often shed and debated due to differing opinions on certain research topics. They don’t really share an amicable rtionship.”


    People like them usually had a firm stance or opinion regarding certain issues. Naturally, Carlos and Cedric would asionally have differing opinions.


    Chad frowned. He had a look of disbelief on his face. “Jayson managed to find a way to persuade Mr. Warbrooke toe out of his retirement. Is he nning on asking Mr. Warbrooke to be Nancy’s supervisor?”


    Janice understood instantly what Chad was implying. “ording to you guys, Mr. Warbrooke is an amazing, exceptional expert. If he were to agree to take Nancy as his student, wouldn’t they be able to distract the public from all the unsavory news about her by releasing this big news involving Mr. Warbrooke?”


    Jayson’s side didn’t even have to spend any effort on salvaging and improving Nancy’s image first. Cedric’s name and reputation were enough to help cover up all the recent disputes Nancy was involved in.


    Ariel was taken by surprise.


    Cedric had stepped back from the spotlight for years. She wondered what Jayson had to offer in exchange for Cedric toe out of retirement.


    “Didn’t Mr. Warbrooke ask you a few years ago if you’d like to be his student? He wanted you to join him in conducting their research for the Department of Defense.”


    Chad still felt rather bewildered as he recalled what happened at the time. “You rejected Mr. Warbrooke back then.


    Carlos had managed to persuade Ariel to be his student at that point. Cedric was just one step behind him. The two of them had even fought over this.


    In a way….


    “In a <b>way</b><b>, </b>you’ve offended Mr. Warbrooke before?” Chad found it quite amusing.


    Ariel was very young at the time. She had declined Cedric’s offer straightforwardly without beating around the bush. In other words, she hadn’t thought about the importance of being a bit more courteous and polite.


    For an old man with an erratic temper like Cedric, he probably hadn’t taken it well.


    Ariel pondered for a moment. She didn’t think she had offended Cedric when she turned down his offer back then. Still, they didn’t really have to stay at that restaurant.


    The thought of greeting Cedric if they bumped into each other, and the high probability of the Cavells being with him, made her decide. “Never mind,” she said, “Let’s eat at another restaurant.”


    Meanwhile, Jayson’s gaze drifted toward Ariel’s group. A whileter, he slowly averted his gaze.


    Halfway through the meal, he went out to the open–air corridor to take a phone call.


    When the call ended, Evelyn walked up to him. She had a grim expression on her face. “What’s the meaning of this?”


    Jayson turned around and looked at her. <b>“</b>What do you mean?”


    Although she was feeling annoyed and confused, Evelyn didn’t let those emotions show too much.


    “I’ve heard about what happened in Eldoria recently. Ms. Stanton has gotten herself in deep water. Ashford University has even revoked her admission. Yet, you’re letting her meet your great–grandfather at a time like this? Shouldn’t you wait until those issues are resolved first?


    “Mr. Warbrooke has only agreed to today’s meeting because of his rtionship with your great–grandfather. However, there’s no telling what his decision will be.”