Chapter <b>629 </b>


    Even though Ariel had a good idea, she didn’t ask Jayson about it. By offering no response, she was making his efforts futile.


    On the third day, Ariel left her hotel room to attend the reception.


    When she arrived at the club, Ariel spotted Samson, who was already there.


    She wasn’t surprised. The technology required to build argemercial airliner could be quite advanced andplex. It was perfectly understandable that the Yeager Group would want to join the bidding.


    “When did you arrive in Sheffielton? Howe I didn’t see you during yesterday’s get–together?” When he saw Ariel, Samson excused himself from thepany representatives and strode directly to her.


    Ariel greeted him with a nod. “I was a bit preupied with handling some online work.”


    Samson stared at her intently before smiling wryly. “I keep getting the feeling that you’ve been a little cold and distant to metely. Or am I mistaken?”


    There was no way he wouldn’t notice it.


    While Ariel was usually calm and reserved, she had never been this cold and withdrawn. Samson could


    hardly sense any warmth or geniality from her, not even as a friend.


    He reckoned perhaps Jayson had said something to her.


    Ariel paused briefly but didn’t exin much. “You’re overthinking it, Mr. Pryce.”


    Samson drew a long breath as he tried to conceal the disappointment in his eyes. “I sincerely hope so. Ariel, you can always trust me to be your friend.”


    He didn’t dwell on the matter for too long. After scanning their surroundings, Samson directed his gaze to Ariel. He had an earnest look in his eyes.


    He said straightforwardly, “We both know thergemercial airliner project is a significant milestone for whoever wins the bid. The Yeager Group is going after it, which makes uspetitors. I trust you understand, Ariel.”


    Ariel couldn’t possibly be bothered by things like that.


    Moreover, she had a lot of faith in Faye Technologies‘petence. Ariel was well aware that eachpany had their own edge and strong suit. Besides, she didn’t even mind that Bluum Corp would be joining the bidding too.


    “You don’t have to feel troubled about it, Mr. Pryce. What matters most is giving your all for the project. I can’t possibly be hoping that mypetitors will yield and let me take the project.”


    Ariel had a clear and firm stance. Even if the Yeager Group was a strongpetitor, the Faye Technologies team had what it took to go up against them for the tender.


    Samson could see that was truly how Atiel felt about the current situation. After staring at her for some time, he chuckled softly. “As expected of Atiel Walker. How could people not like someone like you, who has so much grit and courage?”


    Hearing approaching footsteps, Ariel nced over her shoulder.


    With an impassive expression, Jayson came up to them and cast Samson a sideways nce. “Am I interrupting something?”


    Samson tilted his head and jokingly said, “Of course not. You being here can never be a bother to me.”


    Jayson moved and stood next to Ariel. His tone remained the same. “I used to think my wife’s wedding ring was too shy. She prefers keeping a low profile. So, she only wears the ring when she feels like it.


    “Now, I think it’s a good thing the ring is quite shy. Not only does it make my wife look more radiant, but it also serves as a reminder to those who unwittingly get <i>too </i>close to her.” 1)


    Ariel studied Jayson’s expression discreetly. She felt that the two men probably had some sort of conflict or disagreement before. Jayson seemed to have a lot of contempt and disdain for Samson.


    Samson didn’t take his words to heart. He remained unruffled as he smiled innocently. “You should rx a little, Mr. Larkin.”


    Jayson responded coolly and bluntly, “You shouldn’t get ahead of yourself, Mr. Pryce.”


    Ariel could clearly sense the hostilitying from both men despite the facade they were maintaining. She pivoted and left the scene.


    The reception was like a small warm–up activity for the tender, which was set tomence in another


    two hours.


    Ariel observed that several of the country’s most sessful andpetitivepanies had dispatched their senior executives as representatives to participate in the bidding. That was a clear indication of


    how vital the tender was this time.


    It felt like thepetition for the tender had already begun at that point. Faye Technologies, Bluum Corp, and the Yeager Group were the front–runners for the tender. It would be a toughpetition.


    Given Ariel’s current fame, many people approached her to greet her. Curiously, they all seemed to know that Ariel had alcohol intolerance. These people suggested using non–alcoholic drinks whenever they wanted to make a toast to her.


    None of them tried to force Ariel to have some liquor.


    314


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    704


    After a while, Ariel cast a nce in Jayson’s direction. He was the only person who could get all these people to do this favor for him.


    It was almost time for the tender to begin by the time Ariel had finished socializing with the other guests.


    Ariel headed for the restroom, dialing Chad’s number to find him. She pressed the call button just as she stepped out of the hall.


    As she rounded a corner, a hand mped a handkerchief over her mouth and nose from behind, pulling her back. A sickeningly sweet scent flooded her senses, and her eyes widened. The world tilted almost instantly.