Chapter 630
The scent was overpowering. Ariel tried to struggle, twisting against the iron grip holding her, but her limbs quickly lost strength.
Her vision dimmed with every passing second. She fixed her gaze on the tender venue just around the next corner, the sight blurring before everything faded to black.
The bid was scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.
Since the club and the venue were close by, it was easy for guests to move between the two locations.
When Jayson arrived, he spotted Chad stepping into the venue at the same time.
Though Chad disliked seeing Jayson there, he masked his irritation behind perfect manners, his smile as
polished as ever.
“Mr. Larkin! Was it really necessary for you to attend the tender personally? Bluum Corp has so many capable people who could’ve handled this.”
Indeed, there were many other people from Bluum Corp who could have represented Jayson.
Jayson didn’t miss the faint edge in Chad’s voice, but he brushed it aside. “A project that Faye Tech is so interested in deserves my attention.”
“You’re exaggerating, Mr. Larkin. I’m sure something of this scale means little to Bluum Corp.” Chad’s smile was wide, his tone warm and polite.
Jayson checked the time. It was already 2:40 pm. He scanned the room but didn’t see Ariel anywhere.” Have you seen Ariel?”
Chad frowned. It was almost time for the tender to start. “Shouldn’t she be here already?”
Ariel was known for her punctuality.
Chad pulled out his phone and noticed a missed call from her–one he hadn’t seen until now, placed nearly 20 minutes ago. He dialed her number, but after several rings, there was no answer.
A ripple of unease crept in. “Weren’t you with Ari just now, Mr. Larkin?”
Jayson’s brows furrowed slightly. Ariel had stepped away earlier to greet some guests, then mentioned she was going to the restroom. That was likely when she vanished.
“Let’s look for her first.” Jayson turned and strode toward the club, phone in hand as he started making calls.
Chad hadn’t seriously considered the possibility of something happening to Ariel. She was an adult, fully capable of looking after herself. What mattered now was ensuring she arrived before 3:00 pm–otherwise,
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Chapter 630
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it would appear she had withdrawn from the bidding.
Seeing Jayson spring into action, Chad quickly began searching the area himself.
Jayson called Ariel multiple times, but she didn’t pick up. His expression hardened.
Ariel wasn’t the type to disappear without explanation. She was meticulous, always punctual.
She was rarely late, as other matters never held her up.
Something was wrong.
At the venue entrance, Jayson nearly collided with Samson, who had just arrived.
“Where are you going, Mr. Larkin? The event’s about to start. Leaving now seems ill–advised,” Samson said coolly.
Jayson stopped briefly, studying Samson’s indifferent expression, then brushed past him without a word, pulling out his phone to message Arthur on WhatsApp.
Samson, one hand in his pocket, watched him leave. Moments later, Chad rushed out of the hall.
“Something happened, Mr. Hockney?” Samson asked, stepping into his path. “Perhaps I can help. I know
this area well.”
Chad’s anxiety was mounting. He wondered if Ariel truly had run into trouble. “We can’t find Ariel
anywhere. I’ll talk to you later, Mr. Pryce.”
Samson’s brows drew together, a shadow flickering in his eyes. “Don’t worry. She should be fine. I’ll have
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