<b>Chapter </b><b>680 </b>


    Shane had been the first in the Larkin family to truly realize just how much Jayson valued Ariel.


    <b>“</b><b>Now </b>that you’re back, what’s your n?<b>” </b>Jayson asked as if nothing had ever happened. His tone was


    calm and unreadable.


    Sometimes, Shane hated that about him. He was always soposed, but every move of his was ruthless.


    “Why? Nervous about meing back?” Shane chuckled, throwing the question out as a joke.


    Jayson’s gaze slidzily his way. “I’m d that you don’t hold a grudge. Back then, it was a real blow <b>to </b>your pride. Now that you’re back, people will still gossip. You’ll probably feel uneasy for a while.”


    The words might as well have pped a “loser”bel across Shane’s face.


    Shane’s smile didn’t waver, but he knew the truth. He had lost badly, and plenty of people had enjoyed


    watching the spectacle. Despite being a year older, he had still ended up shoved overseas.


    “How could I? We’re family in the end. Family doesn’t hold grudges,” Shane answered smoothly.


    Jayson didn’t bother humoring such empty lines.


    He had expected Shane and his family’s return. When he had forced them abroad, he had known it was only a matter of time. After all, no one would willingly ept being cast out and exiled. <fn8aa4> Fresh chapters posted on Find~Novel</fn8aa4>


    Shane patted Jayson’s shoulder and turned back toward the living room.


    Jayson didn’t follow immediately. He lingered in the quiet corridor, his thoughts heavy.


    Back then, he was overwhelmed, with too many things crashing down on him at once.


    Ariel’s ident was pure misfortune. Before Jayson rose to power, the hidden battles were endless, with every dirty trick in y.


    Shane knew well that Ariel was his weak spot. He wouldn’t stay abroad forever or ept being under his thumb. Returning to Croinia was inevitable, and he would probably use Ariel against him from time to


    time.


    From that moment on, Jayson had thought it through. Ariel needed to grow strong on her own before


    then, instead of living forever under his protection.


    Once Ariel’s abilities caught the attention of the government, Shane would have to think twice before


    making a move against her. He wouldn’t act rashly.


    After fighting tooth and nail with Shane for the position and just after forcing him out, Jayson had also discovered Ariel’sputer. Plus, there was Cecilia, a ticking time bomb with her unpredictable actions.


    <b>+15 </b><b>BONUS </b>


    With pressureing at him from every direction, <b>Jayson </b>had been utterly drained.


    The truth was, great families had no such thing as peace and harmony. Everyone had their own agenda, and betrayal came all too easily.


    Back then, he had to juggle the power struggle at Bluum Corp, fend off Shane’s schemes, and protect Ariel. On top of that, Lucas‘ matter nearly drove him to the brink.


    Looking back, those days had been hell.


    Now that Shane and his family were back, it meant vignce once again.


    Jayson rubbed at his brow, then finally stepped into the living room. Ariel was still inside, after all.


    Betty had urged Ariel to find Jayson, and the two nearly collided in the doorway.


    Jayson instinctively reached out to hold her waist before letting go.


    Ariel met his calm eyes.


    Not once had heshed out at her for refusing to keep the baby. The issue had simply been left unspoken.


    Both of them tacitly avoided it.


    Ariel didn’t think much of him ignoring her today. After ncing around to make sure no one was


    watching, she asked softly, “When do you n on telling Grandma about us? Today might be the right


    time. I came here intending to bring it up. But since you’re here too, I thought I should ask about your


    n.


    They had already decided on divorce. Some groundwork needed to beid.