Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 711

Lucas' expression hardened as a storm of emotions flashed in his eyes.

Morgan and the Johnstones had conspired to deceive him?

Even Ariel was taken aback upon hearing that.

The incident that led to Lucas' downfall had happened so abruptly back then. At first, Lucas was thriving at the Sanderson Group, showing a natural aptitude for the work. But one of his subordinates made a mistake, leaving them short on funding for a joint project with the Johnstone Group.

As the project leader, Lucas naturally became the one who had to shoulder the blame. Proud and conceited as he was, Lucas had already made more than a few enemies. The incident struck right before his imprisonment, nearly costing him his life.

Lucas had ended up serving time because of others' schemes.

Back then, Ariel had rushed to the scene just in time and taken the blow that could have been fatal for him. Lucas was then hospitalized before being transferred to prison.

Ariel, however, spent a month in the hospital due to her severe injury. In the beginning, she even slipped into a coma for several days.

Having grown up with a frail constitution, her recovery had been slow and grueling. When Ariel finally woke, Morgan told her Lucas had gone into hiding. She had no idea what had really happened to him.

Later, when Ariel fell for Morgan's schemes and ended up entangled with Jayson, Morgan began using Lucas as leverage against her. If she refused to comply, he threatened to ensure Lucas would never have his sentence reduced.

Ariel hadn't wanted to sacrifice herself for anyone, yet she was left with no choice. At the time, the one she truly hated was Morgan, not Jayson. To her, Jayson was a victim too, and she even felt apologetic toward him.

She wanted to maintain a happy marriage, not let him think their union was nothing more than a mistake. What she hadn't expected was to fall deeply in love with him—her feelings only growing stronger over time.

Now, the cruel truth behind Lucas' downfall had finally surfaced.

Later, when she did visit, she told him she was getting married and wouldn't be able to see him often. She only hoped he would take care of himself and get out soon.

Lucas had been furious then, convinced she was cruel and heartless. That was why he had accepted Wendy's affection when she vowed to wait for him.

Even after his release, resentment toward Ariel lingered. He often provoked her with spiteful acts just to test her patience.

Ariel didn't even look at Lucas. Her gaze fell instead on Jayson, whose fists were clenched tight. She was startled to realize that he had known this secret about Morgan and the Johnstones all along. Yet, he had never breathed a word of it to her.

Sensing her eyes on him, Jayson quickly schooled his expression back into calm. He turned his back to Lucas and spoke coldly. "You have no right to make demands here. Ariel isn't your possession to control. I believe you have other matters to handle, Mr. Sanderson. So please, don't disturb her rest."

Just then, Arthur entered and seized Lucas by the arm, dragging him toward the door. "Mr. Sanderson, you're not welcome here."