Chapter b576 /b

    Ariel couldn’t quite put her feelings into words. After all these years, she had finally received an apology from one of the perpetratorsb–/bsomeone who had enjoyed countless privileges by exploiting Elena’s work.

    The circumstances were unusual. However, if not for this situation, Nancy would never have uttered

    those words.

    Nancy was apologizing only because she didn’t want to be held ountable for her actions. Yet what she was being forced to do now would be enough to torment her for the rest of her life, especially for a woman as arrogant as she was.

    The copse of one’s spirit and pride didn’t just strip away fame and fortune–it left a person in

    unbearable turmoil.

    Ariel ignored the stiff, resentful look on Nancy’s face. She turned her gaze toward Jayson, her eyes cold and indifferent. “We can’t let her go. She must take responsibility for what she’s done.”

    Nancy’s expression twisted with horror and confusion. “Ariel Walker! What more do you want from me?”

    She even got down on her knees to beg for forgiveness. Why was Ariel being so cruel and cold–hearted?

    Ariel didn’t bother arguing. She had already made her stance clear. Without another word, she turned and

    got into the car.

    Nancy’s confidence was slowly crumbling. She couldn’t stay here. If she did, it would be the end of her.

    She turned desperately to Jayson. “Jayson, she wasn’t harmed at all, right? Didn’t you say bI /bjust needed to apologize to her?”

    Jayson lowered his gaze, though his eyes glinted with ice. “If it weren’t for the arrangements you made before leaving the country, do you think I’d even be here to see you?”

    Nancy looked flustered as she stared at Jayson. This was the first time she had heard such blunt, cutting

    words from him.

    Jayson had always beenposed and refined, yet now he had stripped away all pretense and spoken the harsh truth outright.

    Arthur nced at Jayson, knowing full well what had happened. Although Jayson had prepared in

    advance and Ariel hadn’t been harmed, he had been furious when he discovered Nancy’s schemes.

    Nancy’s mind reeled. The beliefs she had clung to shattered in an instant. She truly liked Jayson–no one else had ever stirred her heart the way he did. Yet what he gave her in return…

    “Have you never… not even once… felt anything for me?” she asked, her voice thick with anger and despair.

    Her eyes searched his, desperate for even the smallest flicker of hesitation or sympathy. But there was

    nothing.

    Jayson cast her a sidelong nce. “Did you think I’d ever fall for someone my wife despises?b” /b(4

    His tone was calm, almost casual, but the words pierced her heart like a de.

    Nancy’s world copsed with a single word–wife.

    Before she could recover, the wail of police sirens echoed in the distance.

    Her head snapped toward the sound, dread rising within her.

    It struck her then–it wasn’t her insistence on meeting Jayson that had doomed her escape. Jayson had

    foreseen everything.

    Even if she and Sarah hadn’t tried to eliminate Ariel under the guise of an ident, he would never have let them get away. If not for matters concerning Ariel, he wouldn’t havee to isee /iher at all. Only now did Nancy realize that Jayson treated Ariel differently from anyone else.

    A man like him never needed to show such concern for anyone or anything. Ariel was the only exception.

    From the very beginning, Jayson had never allowed anything to touch her. 1

    “Nancy!” Sarah’s hoarse voice rang out from the distance.

    Nancy snapped back to reality. Sarah, who was supposed to escape first, had been captured as well.

    On the brink of madness, Nancy stared at the elegant yet merciless man.

    Jayson had sealed off every escape route.

    “Jayson Larkin, I hate you!” she screamed atst, hatred burning in her eyes. Love, resentment, and

    obsession twisted into one.

    Jayson replied coolly, unhurriedly. “Go ahead and hate me. But direct your resentment at the right person. You two ended up here because of me. Ariel had nothing to do with it.” 1

    Tears streamed down Nancy’s cheeks. His words crushed the final shred of hope within her.

    They were merciless.

    For the first time, Nancy understood just how terrifying Jayson truly was–his ability to twist and shatter a person’s heart was unparalleled. 1