“And the charity association announcedst night that you and Jayson donated together. It totally flipped public opinion overnight. That’s some badass PR.” Janice clicked her tongue. “Jayson actually decided to act like a human being for once.”

    None of it was a surprise. Ariel had been in PR long enough to know exactly which levers to pull and what oues they created.

    She suddenly thought of the contraceptive herbs. The thought left her unsettled. People wereplicated, tooyered for simplebels of good or bad.

    “What matters is that it’s settled. It doesn’t matter what he thinks.” Ariel pulled a tissue and wiped the crumbs from the corner of Janice’s mouth. She didn’t want to waste another thought on Jayson.

    “Jan, do I have anything else on my schedule today?” She opened herptop, slipping back into work

    mode.

    With the fire put out, Janice didn’t dwell either. She swallowed herst bite and replied, “Yeah. Your performance at thepetition and your status as U.N2’s developer are trending right now. The aerospace agency wants a meeting with you at 6:00 pm.

    “Some higher–ups are expecting to sit down and map out the next steps. Mr. Pryce will be there too. After all, you two are the champion and runner–up.”

    Ariel was already gearing up for a new chapter. These engagements were all part of the process.

    “Alright. Come with meter. Chad will cover phase two progress,” she said.

    “Sure, I’ll just hitch a spot at the big shots‘ table.”

    Ariel mapped out the project in her hands and already had a clear n for the second half of the year.

    By 5:00 pm, she and Janice set out.

    The dinner spot was a private dining house tucked away on a mountaintop.

    They had just parked when someone called out, “Ariel.”

    She turned to see Samson walking toward her with Elsie trailing behind him.

    Elsie was still young, with a fair, adorable face. She pressed her lips together and stared at Ariel. Her

    emotions were written all over her.

    Ariel spared her a nce before focusing on Samson. He was the same as always, except his eyes burned with more intensity now. “Looks like we’ll be seeing each other a lot from now on. I’ll be counting on your guidance. You won’t get tired of me, will you?”

    His words came easily, tinged with humor.

    +15 bBONUS /b

    Ariel tugged the winking Janice along and walked inside. “Of course not, Mr. Pryce. You’re being too

    modest.”

    “Good to hear that. I was a little nervous on the way over. Being around a person as aplished as you makes me feel small.” Smiling, Samson strolled at her side. His gaze was openly fixed on her, his warmth

    unrelenting.

    Janice shot Ariel a look loaded with meaning, as if to say she definitely approved of this young man.

    Ariel jabbed her in the ribs.

    Janice yelped and coughed herself back intoposure. 2

    Elsie noticed. Her expression stiffened as she shot Janice a re. 1

    A waiter guided them into a private dining room with panoramic views.

    Ariel spotted a few higher–ups she had met before, along with the government–appointed coordinators, including Gary and thepetition’s main sponsor, Jayson.

    Dressed in a dark–gray suit, he sat with his legs crossed, his body sinkingzily into the back of the chair. At the sound of the door, he slowly raised his head and fixed his gaze on her with precision.

    When his eyes flicked to Samson standing shoulder to shoulder with Ariel, he tilted his head slightly.

    Ariel pressed her lips together and looked away before their eyes could meet.

    When Gary saw Ariel, he waved with a smile. “Ariel, Samson, Elsie, Ms. Swanson,e on in. Take a seat.”

    However, even taking a seat seemed toe with its own unspoken rules.

    Everyone here knew that Jayson and Ariel were married.

    Samson raised an eyebrow and nced toward Jayson. His smile showed he didn’t seem to care about

    their rtionship. Tilting his head toward Ariel, he said, “Ari, the view’s better over here. Why don’t you

    sit with me?”

    +15 bBONUS /b

    bChapter /bb598 /b