pter 533


    Jayson kept his eyes on Ariel as he walked toward her.


    The moment he drew closer, Ariel instinctively took a step back. Alicker of repulsion crossed her gaze.


    Jayson noticed. He stopped almost immediately, his stare locking to Ariel’s face as though searching for answers. For a moment, it felt as if an invisible wall had risen between them…


    After a few seconds, Jayson let the reaction slide. His gaze dropped to her wrist, where a small patch of rashes, norger than a fingernail, had appeared.


    His tone was still the same. “Remember to apply some ointment once you’re home. Be careful about what you eat and drink next


    time.”


    With nothing further to add, Jayson walked past her and went inside.


    Ariel massaged the center of her brows before following him in.


    Later, Jayson crossed paths with Nancy.


    She greeted him with a bright smile. “Jayson, do you want toe over to my ce for lunchter?”


    He nced toward the direction she hade from. “I don’t think I can. I need to take care of some matters at work.”


    Though a little disappointed, Nancy knew how busy he was. She kept her smile, her gaze lingering on him. “Thank you for taking care of mest night…”


    Jayson’s brows lifted ever so slightly. He cast her a nce, answering with his usual indifference. “You drank too much.”


    “The alcohol was a bit strong, and I even experienced ckouts. Thankfully, I got help with changing into fresh clothes. You’re really thoughtful and considerate, Jayson…”


    Nancy was in a cheery mood. She managed to stay conscious until she got inside Jayson’s room yesterday. Nancy was pleased that her n hadn’t been ruined.


    Jayson’s eyes shifted to the hickey on her neck. His brows rose slightly.


    “There’s no need to thank me.” As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and asked Arthur to pick him up at the port. 2


    Nancy faltered at his words, her heart sinking. His attitude left her unsettled. It almost seemed as though he hadn’t been the one with herst night. 1


    But then she brushed the thought aside. They had already crossed line of intimacy. There was no need for her to overanalyze. Instead, she focused on what mattered more.


    “Jayson, I ran into Ariel just now<i>,</i><i>” </i>Nancy said deliberately, tilting her head so the hickey stood out more prominently.


    That meant Ariel had seen it too.


    She was trying to tell Jayson that Ariel now knew they had spent the night together. As such, Nancy felt that Jayson and Ariel no Jonger had to pretend to maintain their marriage. Surely, it was time for them to split.


    ”


    But Jayson slowed his pace, then stopped altogether. A flicker of relization crossed his eyes as he cast her a sidelong nce, 1


    He merely hummed in acknowledgment, saying nothing else before walking off. 15


    Nancy froze in ce. That wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. Hedn’t mentioned divorcing Ariel at all. Why? She couldn’t


    understand. 2


    Meanwhile, Janice yawned repeatedly as she joined Ariel. The ship had reached port, and Chad was already waiting to pick them <ol><li>up. </li></ol>


    The cruise liner was enormous, and with so many passengers disembarking, they couldn’t spot Cecilia anywhere. Ariel sent her a quick WhatsApp message saying they were leaving, then she and Janice left in Chad’s car.


    Once inside, Chad nced back at them. “Was it fun?”


    Janice replied listlessly, “After Ari left, I didn’t stay around for long I had too much to drink. I didn’t shower or remove my makeup. I just passed out on the bed.


    “Now all I have is a pounding headache instead of good memories.


    Suddenly, Janice recalled something. She directed her gaze to Ariel “You didn’te back to your roomst night?”


    Ariel looked at her nkly. “What?”


    Janice rubbed her neck. “I slept in your room, and I only noticed that I entered the wrong room after I left this morning.”


    A deep frown drew Ariel’s brows together. She remembered checking the room number before going inst night.


    1