Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 697

Samson merely cast Elsie a stony glance before turning and walking away. He couldn't even be bothered to say a word to her.

…

Ariel and Jayson stepped out of the building. Arthur had gone to get the car.

Jayson was on the phone with Eric. His instruction was brief. "Keep a close eye on the deceased's family."

When the call ended, he turned his gaze to Ariel.

She met his eyes, took a deep breath, and asked, "If I hadn't found out on my own, were you planning on never telling me you helped me back then?"

Jayson slid one hand into his pocket and replied unhurriedly, "That was the plan."

Ariel held his gaze, not wanting to miss even the slightest change in his expression. "We weren't even that close at the time."

They had only met a handful of times, only because their grandfathers had been war comrades.

Jayson said nothing.

Then, with a pensive look, Ariel blurted out, "Did you secretly have a crush on me?"

Just then, Arthur pulled up in the car.

Jayson lowered his head to look at her. He didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest. "Sorry, but do I have to report something like that to you as well?"

Ariel was rendered speechless. She had asked the question without much thought. Yet, it seemed Jayson really…

But today…

"You defended me just now," Jayson said lowly.

Ariel had been determined to help him turn the situation around and secure the market for his materials.

Frankly, Samson's schemes could have dealt a crippling blow to Jayson's business. Without evidence, Yeager Group would have walked away as the biggest winner.

If she and Jayson had been on bad terms or at odds with each other, today's meeting would have ended very differently.

That had been Samson's plan all along.

Ariel didn't deny it this time. "Do you think I can't make sound judgments?"

Jayson raised his brows at her bluntness.

She figured Jayson already knew something, given the two calls he had just taken.

Jayson's eyes narrowed. "The worker had end-stage cancer."

Ariel's fists tightened on her lap at those words.

"His cancer was incurable. He had at most two months left. His daughter, who just turned 17, has leukemia. Her treatment costs a fortune. If he died from his illness, his wife would never be able to afford it."

Ariel instantly understood.

The worker most likely gave up his life in hopes of affording his daughter's medical care, since a fatal work accident would guarantee a significant compensation payment for his family.

As for the person who had approached him…

Ariel lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions flickering in her eyes. As a fellow chronic illness sufferer, she could deeply relate to what the worker was likely going through.

She was also left to wonder if the success rate of her cancer removal surgery would hold up, especially given her weakened state after being forced to have an abortion.

"Jayson," Ariel suddenly called softly.

He turned to her. "What's wrong? Why so serious all of a sudden?"