<b>Chapter </b>659


    Ariel immediately grasped the situation.


    This was wrong. Being seening out of the same room together looked strange.


    Cecilia narrowed her eyes at Lucas as she approached. “Mr. Sanderson, why didn’t you talk <i>to </i>Ariel outside? Why bring her into the room? People could get the wrong idea. You should be thinking about protecting her reputation.”


    Janice snapped back to attention. Frowning, she retorted, “They’re siblings. Who’d get the wrong idea about them? Aren’t you overthinking this, Ms. Pryce?”


    Cecilia smiled lightly and didn’t dwell on that topic. “Sorry<b>, </b>I was just looking out for Ariel. That’s all. By the way, Ariel, I heard from Ms. Johnstone that you’re pregnant. Congrattions.”


    Lucas, who had just been looking rxed, suddenly stiffened.


    Ariel’s expression shifted as well.


    Wendy<b>? </b>


    Ariel looked at Cecilia, surprised that she knew about her pregnancy. Even worse, she had revealed it in


    front of Jayson.


    Janice’s emotions were clear on her face.


    With Ariel’s pregnancy suddenly exposed, today’s situation could easily turn into a major misunderstanding.


    Janice knew Ariel wouldn’t tell Jayson. Now, with an outsider like Cecilia revealing it to him, it looked suspicious, especially since Ariel had been alone in a room with Lucas. 1


    Janice didn’t care what Jayson thought, but she refused to let Ariel’s reputation take a hit.


    <b>If </b>Jayson doubted Ariel or suspected someplicated connection between her and Lucas involving the baby, how could Ariel handle his wrath?


    As Janice’s expression darkened with those thoughts, Jayson looked at Ariel calmly. He stepped forward and took her hand, intecing his fingers with hers.


    Lucas saw the intimate gesture loud and clear.


    Ariel’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at hisposed face.


    “Since Ari is pregnant, she needs extra care. Thank you for noticing and even helping her<b>, </b>Mr. Sanderson,


    Jayson said evenly. His expression betrayed no hint of doubt, like anyone might expect.


    Cecilia hadn’t anticipated this reaction. A flicker of coldness crossed her face.


    Ariel pressed her lips together silently. She hadn’t expected Jayson to respond this way either.


    But of course, she didn’t feel the need to exin anything. After all, she had done nothing wrong and owed no one an exnation. If others didn’t believe her, no amount of exnation would make them. 4


    Yet, Jayson neither questioned the baby nor asked why she had been with Lucas.


    Janice looked at Jayson in surprise. Only now did she realize he really was a gentleman. He wouldn’t believe just any rumor.


    Lucas, on the other hand, went pale. His gaze locked on Ariel’s stomach as his mind raced.


    Ariel was pregnant?


    “If you’re done here for today, shall we head home?” Jayson looked at Ariel as usual,pletely unaffected by what had happened today. 1


    Noticing that, Cecilia clenched her fists silently. Her expression went cold.


    She was sure Wendy and Lori weren’t imagining things. There must be something going on between


    Ariel and Lucas.


    But now that Jayson had witnessed it with his own eyes, why hadn’t he confronted Ariel? He didn’t even ask her whose baby she was carrying.


    Normally, any man would be suspicious if his wife were pregnant and hadn’t told him. Especially a man of Jayson’s status, he couldn’t possibly overlook even the smallest problem.


    Ariel knew she should react carefully in public, so she kept herposure and simply nodded. “Sure.” $13 Jayson never let go of her hand. “Ms. Swanson, are youing with us?”


    Janice, sensing that a private conversation was probably needed between them, swallowed her concern and said, “No, I’ll drive myself.”


    Jayson nced at Lucas. “Well, then. Goodbye, Mr. Sanderson.”


    He remained perfectlyposed, showing no hint of chaos or aggression. Yet to Lucas, it felt like a silent p, making it all the more unbearable.


    Lucas‘ expression darkened. His eyes were glued to Ariel. He couldn’t believe what just happened.


    Jayson led Ariel toward the exit.


    Cecilia clenched her fists tighter. The oue waspletely unexpected. She hadn’t seen the reaction she anticipated. <fn502e> Fresh chapters posted on find?novel</fn502e>