Back then, Morgan had kept this card up his sleeve, always nning for the day he could use it ito /icontrol Ariel and squeeze every drop of value out of her.

    Who could have guessed she would turn into someone he barely recognized?

    “Dad, what if Ariel doesn’t bend, no matter what we try?” Lori muttered through clenched teeth, clearly in

    a foul mood.

    Morgan didn’t have an answer. The truth was, exposing the photos carried plenty of risk for him itoo/i.

    What if the Larkin family traced it back to him? After all, this incident would also affect their reputation. It wouldn’t be surprising if they decided to crush the Sanderson family before kicking Ariel out.

    “We’ll have to y the long game.”

    Lori narrowed her eyes and was lost in thought for a long moment. “Actually, I met someone recently who’d be very interested in Ariel’s dirt.” 1

    Morgan looked at her.

    Lori finally smiled in triumph. “Dad, maybe it’s time we change tactics. Earn what we can while we still

    can.”

    At Bluum Corp, Arthur stepped into Jayson’s office. “Mr. Larkin, Mr. Crosby is here.”

    Jayson didn’t even look up. “Let him in.”

    When Matt walked in, Jayson was still busy at his desk. His back was straight, and a pair of rimless sses rested on his nose as he worked. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, and over it he wore a dark vest, which softened his usual sharp edge and gave him a touch of refinement.

    Matt clicked his tongue. All that charm was nothing but a facade to fool people.

    “You’ve been impossible to drag out for drinkstely. I thought you were supposed to be building connections, not dating your desk.”

    Jayson finally nced at him. “Some of us actually work.”

    He had never been the type to lose himself in nightlife. He had gone to more than his share of events since he was young, but he never once left drunk.

    Even after things fell apart with Ariel, he hadn’t tried drowning himself in liquor.

    He didn’t like running from problems like that. He believed in staying sharp and figuring out real

    solutions.

    “You can’t skip tonight, though. It’s Freya’s 18th birthday. A huge celebration. If we don’t show, it’ll look

    bad.”

    Jayson paused at those words. His cool gaze rested on the files on his desk for a few seconds, as if he were lost in thought.

    “What time?”

    “7:00 pm. You should be getting off work now. We can head straight over from here.”

    “Okay.” Jayson rose and grabbed his jacket.

    Matt studied his expression. “Shouldn’t you ask Ariel to join us?b” /b

    Jayson stepped into the elevator with a neutral expression. “She won’te.”

    The Houston family hosted Freya’s 18th birthday at their private estate. It was quite a grand affair.

    Jayson and Matt had barely arrived when they overheard Freya speaking to her friends with a hint of disappointment. “I’ve got a friend I really adore. Ms. Ariel Walker, the one everyone’s talking abouttely. But she can’t make it tonight because of work.”

    Matt gave Jayson an impressed look.

    Guests drifted over to greet Jayson, but he brushed most of them off and imed a quiet corner with a

    drink.

    Matt followed, clinking his ss against Jayson’s. “Something’s off with you.”

    Jayson looked at him. “How so?”

    “You’re in a foul mood. It’s obvious. Don’t tell me you…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “You two didn’t patch things up? What is it? She wouldn’t agreeb, /bor you wouldn’t?”

    That hit the mark like a knife.

    Jayson sipped his drink in silence.

    Matt’s mind raced, and he quickly reached a conclusion. They had most likely ended up in a huge fight.

    He suggested, “How about we open a bottle of whiskey? It’s stronger.”

    Jayson ignored him.

    Suddenly, his interest waned. He had shown up and made an appearance, which was enough to count as

    support. Now he would rather go home. He wanted to see how Ariel was doing.

    Just as he started to rise, Cecilia’s voice cut in, “Where are you going, Mr. Larkin?”

    Her arrival was a surprise.

    She raised her ss and clinked it loudly against Jayson’s. “Care to talk?”

    Matt studied her quietly but said nothing.

    Jayson clearly had no intention of talking to her.

    Cecilia’s smile didn’t waver as she said frankly, “Jayson, I don’t mind that you’ve been married before.” 1