Jayson and his friends had not once kept their guards up around Nancy. Even after all that had happened recently, Matt still took the time to exin things to her patiently. Meanwhile, Jayson was willing to share his house password so she could contact him whenever urgent matters arose.


    Nothing had changed between them.


    Nancy paid no mind to the building behind her as she turned and walked away.


    Meanwhile, Ariel was reviewing the investment projects in which exura Solutions had been involved when she received an email confirming that her application for thepetition had been approved.


    She meticulously examined every detail in the documents. The email specified the exact location and time for the first and second rounds of testing.


    The venue–a government–selected hall with tight security–was designed to prevent any leaks of sensitive information.


    The first round would select 100 participants. The second round would narrow this down to 30, and only three would im the


    top spots.


    Thepetition’s standards were exceptionally high. Many regarded it as nearly impossible to win.


    Ariel devoted over a week to preparing. She would take the first two rounds on the same day, facing tests rted closely to their field, includingmunication and datawork algorithms, aerodynamics, and aircraft design.


    The tests were conducted in batches, and each participant would be assessed behind closed doors to ensure fairness and impartiality. Only the final round would be held at a public venue.


    The hall had multiple security checkpoints, as it was a government–owned facility. All participants had to pass through them.


    Ariel did not have Chad or Janice to drop her off since the tests wouldst hours; she nned to take a cab home afterward. So, she took a cab to the specified drop–off point.


    Ariel nced around after arriving and noticed a Bentley parked by the roadside.


    Nancy stepped out, walking with a surprisingly cheerful air; no sign of nervousness at all.


    Jayson soon exited the car as well. Although Ariel couldn’t hear their conversation, Nancy chuckled lightly. When Nancy turned, she spotted Ariel from some distance away.


    Her expression instantly hardened, a dark light shing in her eyes as memories of the Veyo Solutions incident surfaced.


    For a moment, Nancy was caught off guard to see Ariel there. Then realization settled in. While she had Jayson’s support, Ariel had her ownwork.


    Carlos, who was in the research sector, probably pulled some strings for Ariel. Still, that didn’t mean that sess was guaranteed.


    Nancy averted her gaze, turning toward Jayson. As she pivoted, hetooting faltered. Instinctively, she reached out and caught hold of Jayson’s sleeve. In the same breath, she collided with his chest.


    Jayson looked down at her.


    “I nearly slipped, sorry,” Nancy apologized softly.


    Jayson’s eyes were unreadable. “It’s alright. You should head in my.”


    Ariel was boarding a shuttle bus to the security checkpoint when she witnessed Jayson seemingly embracing Nancy from behind.


    Nancy smiled brightly as she turned around, meeting Ariel’s eyes without flinching. A cold, mysterious look glimmered within.


    It was a side of Nancy Ariel had rarely seen. Yet Ariel barely spared her a nce.


    Jayson leaned against his car after seeing Nancy off, watching the shuttle bus Ariel was on drive away.


    The tests themselves were incrediblyplex. Each participant was assessed behind closed doors and unaware of others‘ performances.


    Shortly after passing the security checkpoints, Ariel noticed Nancy hadpleted hers as well.


    All participants were then required to surrender their phones.


    While on her way to turn hers in, Ariel approached a corner where she suddenly heard Nancy’s voice.


    “I dropped by the marital home. The renovation isplete and everything looks new. All the materials used are formaldehyde- free. We could move in anytime.”