Inside the cramped elevator, Jayson’s voice came through low and clear.


    Ariel looked up, catching his gaze in the mirrored wall.


    The question hade out of nowhere.


    She paused for a moment before asking quietly, “Did you know I had a drink that night on the cruise?”


    Jayson’s gaze flicked briefly to the fading rash on her wrist. His tone was calm. “Do you want me to have known<b>, </b>or not?”


    A thought Ariel had been forcing down suddenly surged up again at those words.


    That unspoken tension returned, even though neither of them said anything.


    With a ding, the elevator stopped at the first floor.


    Jayson finally moved. He stepped forward until he stood right beside Ariel and lowered his gaze to her. “Your allergy isn’t healed yet. Make sure you keep applying the ointment.”


    Then the doors slid open. Without another word, he walked out.


    Ariel stared at his back for a long moment before stepping out herself. Her expression was nk.


    Some things became clear, while others were simply left unspoken


    She grabbed a quick bite before heading back upstairs to keep working on her code. After running into Jayson, she stopped dwelling on it and treated it as if nothing had happened.


    Since it was a practical test, she could roughly anticipate the focus. Coding was bound to be a crucial part of it.


    Three projects spread across three days, each different from thest. All demanded strong expertise and the ability to manage


    data live.


    The next morning, Chad showed up early to head with Ariel to the stadium.


    It was an openpetition today. The entrance was crowded with people scanning tickets. The buzz around the event was


    obvious.


    Only 100 contestants had advanced, and identities were revealed just before the third test began.


    When Ariel spotted Samson, she was surprised.


    He raised his brows with a smile and strode toward her. “Surprised?”


    “You’re here too?” Ariel blinked.


    Samson’s teeth shed bright. “Guess I was right not to tell you. Seeing that look on your face makes it all worth it.”


    He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Actually, I took part not only to be with you but for another reason too. I’m curious if the developer of U.N2 might show up. This feels like the kind of event they’d be drawn to.”


    Ariel’s brow twitched slightly. “Maybe.”


    He studied her for a beat, then asked, “Were you alright that night?”


    Ariel froze, ncing <b>at </b>him.


    Samson went on<b>, </b><b>“</b>I checked in on you. When I went in, you were already asleep, so I didn’t disturb you. Did you feel better after that?”


    That day, he had been worried about Ariel. But when he chased after her, he found her already lying quietly in bed. Only then did he close the door and leave.


    However, he suspected Ariel had realized the drink had been tampered with.


    Her expression eased a little. “…Yeah.”


    She figured Samson must have mistaken Janice for her that night. He had thought she had fallen asleep and left.


    If he had walked in on her actual condition, it would have been a disaster.


    Ariel actedpletely normal. She didn’t even bring up the drink from that day.


    Samson studied her a moment longer before shifting the topic. “Today’s simtion is a three–person team event. I just checked. I’m on a team with you, and the third person is called Elsie Reid.”


    He pointed in a direction, and Ariel saw a young woman walking over.


    Elsie’s gazended on Ariel<b>, </b>sharp and openly hostile.


    Ariel didn’t mind and pretended not to notice. “Nice to meet you.”


    Elsie frowned and ignored her, nting herself firmly at Samson’s side.


    The message was obvious.


    Samson understood too, but he didn’t bother addressing it. Instead, he walked closer to Ariel. “When we’re on stage, the three


    of us will need to work together to adjust parameters and keep the drone stable under interference.”