hapter 535


    As long as that man carried no disease and wouldn’t be a burden to Ariel, she had no reason to dwell on what was already done and couldn’t be undone.


    Adults like them had plenty of real issues to face. No one would spend too much time worrying about a fleeting encounter with a


    stranger.


    Ariel decided to take a bath to help herself rx a little.


    She prepared the water, undressed, and was about to step into the tub when she lowered her head and noticed something.


    Beside the scar on her lower abdomen was a faint, almost unnoticeable hickey.


    Her fair skin made even the lightest marks stand out.


    She had checked her chest and neck earlier that morning and found nothing except for a few alcohol–induced rashes. It was almost as ifst night had been nothing more than a dream.


    But now, seeing that faint mark by her scar, Ariel froze. Her eyes clouded with confusion. 1


    Nancy went home alone since Jayson was busy with work. Even so she was still in high spirits. 1


    Sarah noticed how radiant Nancy looked the moment she arrived home.


    Thinking about thewsuits and her tarnished reputation filled Sarah with frustration.


    The wealthy wives she had once befriended now shunned her, as if she carried misfortune. On top of that, losing ownership of Veyo Solutions had made it harder to maintain their once morous lifestyle.


    All Sarah could manage these days was a bitter smile.


    Noticing Nancy’s good mood, she asked, “Did something good happen?”


    Nancy smiled. “I suppose so.”


    Despite being mocked and humiliated, she had achieved exactly what she wanted.


    She had nearly drunk herself into a stuporst night, but she wasnt some naive girl. The lingering sensations on her body told her clearly what had happened.


    Even if Jayson had been gone when she woke up, Nancy didn’t care This was the oue she had sought.


    As Sarah studied her daughter, understanding dawned. She smiled “Men are all the same. Still<b>, </b>I must remind you that you should always have a backup. A man like Jayson will always have countless women flocking to him. And there will always be those prettier and more capable than you.


    “You have him because you’re suited to each other, and since your rtionship has reached this point, you should start making the proper preparations.”


    Nancy sat on the couch. “I’ll make ns and act ordingly.”


    “Don’t be overly idealistic. You may be smart and capable, but it takes more than that to maintain a rtionship with a man in the upper circles. Sometimes, you need to be more calctive,” Sah cautioned.


    Nancy paused briefly. If she hadn’t forced herself to stay conscious long enough to reach Jayson’s room, she never would have been able to get Jayson to consider their rtionship more seriously.


    “You don’t need to worry,” Nancy said firmly. “Once thepetition is over, thewsuit will be settled too. Jayson and I will make things official.” 1


    Her focus now was on preparing for thepetition, and she didnt see Ariel as a threat. In her eyes, Ariel might not even survive to the third round.


    The real concern was whether other exceptionally talented contestants might appear. Those were the ones Nancy needed to watch out for.


    Sarah’s brows furrowed. “You must take thepetition seriously. At the same time, we have to deal with Ariel. She’s already won Mrs. Larkin Senior’s favor. If she refuses to step aside…”


    A dark gleam shed in Sarah’s eyes. “I can make sure she’s removed permanently.”


    Nancy knew her mother was more than capable of such things. After all<b>, </b>Sarah had spent years abroad and built countless connections.


    “Mrs. Nielsen in Isbell is an old friend of mine,” Sarah continued. Since Ariel’s line of work often requires travel, it wouldn’t be difficult to arrange things so that one of her trips bes herst (1)