Shane’s expression stiffened the moment he saw thetest developments online.


    He had already arranged for the victim’s wife and daughter to be taken to a hidden location. <i>So </i>how had Jayson’s men managed to secure them? Those two were supposed to be under their control.


    And yet, Jayson had even brought the wife out to make a public statement.


    If that was the case, Samson’s n had likely fallen through as well.


    From the start, Shane had orchestrated the incident to help Samson gain control of the Croínia market and sell


    his materials. But now…


    “Do you think I handled the incident properly, Shane?” Jayson asked with a faint smile. His eyes, however, were


    devoid of warmth.


    Shane quickly schooled his face into neutrality. The moment their gazes met, he knew Jayson had already


    figured everything out.


    Jayson had returned to Larkin Manor at this hour for one reason only–to warn him.


    Shane had never revealed his real identity to the deceased worker, and his wife would have had no way <fn26b1> Official source is f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn26b1>


    knowing who he was either. But if Jayson had managed to track down the wife and daughter, then he must have


    discovered the truth.


    of


    “You’re the only one capable of resolving these problems quickly and cost–effectively,” Shane said with a wry


    smile, slipping his phone into his pocket. Still, he couldn’t help worrying about Samson’s side of things.


    Ariel nced furtively at Shane. She had remained silent the whole time, yet she could see how heavily


    surrounded Jayson was by enemies: It was only his cautious nature that allowed him to see through so many


    schemes and tricks.


    “I thought it best to handle the matter carefully,” Jayson said evenly. “One wrong step could mean the downfall


    of the entire Larkin family. I’m sure you understand that, Shane.”


    Shane forced a smile, though his temples throbbed with tension.


    Just then, Betty came downstairs.


    Spotting Ariel, she beamed and hurried over. “Ari, you’re not busy with work today?”


    4:07 PM Fri <b>3 </b><b>Oct </b>


    <b>81</b>%


    Ariel didn’t mention the eventful morning they had just endured. She nodded. “We’re not too busy today. Since


    we’ll be celebrating your birthday tomorrow, Jayson and I thought we’d visit today.”


    Betty’s grin widened when she heard Ariel had remembered her birthday. “You two are so thoughtful. I’ve also


    sent invitations to your grandma and uncle. Tomorrow, have Jayson pick them up and drive them to the venue.”


    Ariel agreed with her suggestion.


    Tomorrow was the final day anyway. Even if Katie or Leonard let slip about the divorce<b>, </b>it wouldn’t matter.


    Jayson stayed silent as Betty and Ariel chatted, while Shane quietly slipped out of the living room. He walked


    down the corridor and stopped by a pond, then ced a call to Samson.


    It took a long moment before Samson finally answered. His voice was cold. “Mr. Shane Larkin, you’re really not that great at your job.”


    Shane frowned. “You know better than anyone that this incident wasn’t easy to resolve. Jayson only managed


    because he’s sly and maniptive. I still don’t know how he tracked down the worker’s wife and daughter.”


    But Samson had no interest in revisiting what now felt meaningless. “Thanks to you, Jayson has gained a


    perfect opportunity to polish Bluum Corp’s image.”


    Samson’s n had failedpletely. Achieving his goals would now be harder than ever. He hung up without


    another word.


    Standing by the window, Samson’s usual gentle demeanor was reced by an icy expression. He frowned, brooding over how Jayson had once again scraped victory by the narrowest margin. Lowering his head, he studied the pearl earring resting in his palm.


    Cecilia had ordered the maids to throw it away, but one of them had secretly retrieved it for him.


    As he stared at the smooth white pearl, Samson recalled Ariel’s coldness toward him today and how she had


    defended Jayson.


    Despite everything Jayson had done to her, Ariel still hadn’t learned her lesson.


    Samson despised women who abandoned reason whenever romance was involved.


    Just then, Cecilia entered the room and noticed him staring absently at the object in his hand.


    4:07 PM Fri 3 Oct


    Chapter Bag


    She strutted over in her heels. “What are you thinking about so deeply?”


    81<b>% </b>


    Samson clenched his fist around the pearl and shoved it into his pocket before turning. “What are you doing


    here?”


    Cecilia had already heard rumors about what happened at the base, particrly how Ariel and Jayson had worked seamlessly together to resolve the data issue. She frowned. “Your n failed, didn’t it? Looks like they’ve only grown closer.”


    Samson brushed past her. “So?”


    “Didn’t you promise me you’d drive them apart?” Cecilia mocked. “Yet you couldn’t even manage to charm


    Ariel.”


    Samson froze mid–pour as he reached for the liquor. His gaze hardened.


    “In any case,” Cecilia continued with a smirk, “don’t expect me to be much help if things between you and Jayson don’t work out.


    “You should focus on dealing with the materials first. It won’t look good if Yeager Group loses its edge. As for Jayson and Ariel… I already have an idea of what to do.”