Dead at Heart

After finishing up her work, Ariel received a call from Colton. He repeated Jayson's message word for word.

Ariel immediately understood what Jayson was trying to do.

Nancy's relationship with him was, without a doubt, an affair. She had rightfully earned the title of homewrecker.

Having Ariel handle this mess was a preemptive move. If anyone ever dug up the past, they would see that Ariel, Jayson's rightful wife, had "cleared" Nancy's name. That way, Nancy wouldn't be labeled a homewrecker and could avoid scrutiny and criticism.

Jayson was truly pulling out all the stops for Nancy.

As for Jayson's "consider the consequences", it was nothing more than a warning.

If she refused to handle the matter, leaving Bluum Corp wouldn't mean a fresh start. No company would dare take her in. He had the power to cut off her livelihood.

For three years, she had done everything a wife should do. From the day she married him, she had severed ties with her past without hesitation, only to be repaid with nothing but indifference.

She was exhausted.

Ariel curled her lips into a mocking smile and said calmly, "I'm taking sick leave. If you force me to work while ill, that's a violation of labor laws. I'll see you in court."

She was already divorcing him and resigning. Why should she care if Jayson was happy or not?

After work, Ariel got into her car and saw a text from her father, Morgan Sanderson. "Lucas is out. We're having a family dinner. Are you coming?"

Though it was phrased as a question, Ariel knew full well that Morgan didn't want her there. To him, she was nothing more than a defiant daughter.

Back then, her relationship with Lucas had been a disgrace in Morgan's eyes. He saw it as an act of shamelessness. If not for her value as a bargaining chip in marrying into a powerful family like the Larkins, he would have cut ties with her and cast her out.

But the dinner was to celebrate Lucas' return. He had once been the most important person in her life.

Ariel hesitated, then touched up her makeup. She needed to look presentable. Then, without another thought, she drove straight to Sanderson Manor.

If not for Lucas, she would have had no reason to stay in touch with the Sanderson family.

When she arrived, the household staff eyed her strangely. One even frowned. "Why are you here, Ms. Walker?"

Ariel ignored them. This hadn't been her home for years. Even the household staff looked down on her and made it clear she wasn't welcome.

"Ariel?"

Lori Sanderson came down the stairs. Her expression was cold as she snapped at Ariel. "You really have no shame. Lucas just got back, and you're already here to cling to him? Do you enjoy ruining everyone's mood?"

Lori was Morgan's illegitimate daughter. She and Ariel shared the same birth year, month, and day. Yet, here she was, standing tall as the rightful daughter, throwing insults like she owned the place.

"Well, if you have any shame, why not move out of my mom's house? Let's see just how noble you really are," Ariel retorted coolly.

This house was bought years ago by her mother, Elena Walker, using the money from selling her paintings at a high price.

Yet now, Morgan was living here with his current wife, Teresa Fuller, and Lori. Lori was enjoying the very things Elena had left behind, and she had the audacity to act superior?

"You…"

Lori's face twisted with anger, but then something seemed to click. Her lips curled into a smirk as she said mockingly, "Let's see if you'll still be so smug in a minute."

"Who is this?" A sweet, curious voice cut through the tension.

Hearing the commotion, a couple emerged from the living room, leaning close to each other.

Lucas' girlfriend, Wendy Johnstone, caught sight of Ariel's face and instinctively tugged on Lucas' sleeve. "She's gorgeous."

Lucas flicked a glance at Ariel, but his eyes barely lingered before shifting right back to Wendy. His hand slid down her waist. "She's my other sister. What, are you jealous because of her?"

Wendy blushed and playfully swatted his chest before turning to Ariel with a bright smile. "I didn't know Lucas had two sisters. What's your name?"

Ariel stared at the scene, momentarily at a loss. She hadn't expected Lucas to bring his girlfriend home.

Since he was bringing Wendy to meet the family, it was clear he was serious about her.

The Lucas who once wanted to marry Ariel and was willing to give up everything for her was gone.

Now, he saw her no differently than he did Lori.

Her throat tightened. "Ariel Walker," she replied.

Wendy paused in surprise, her expression thoughtful. Then, she asked a question that made both Ariel and the Sandersons uncomfortable. "Why aren't you a Sanderson?"

Ariel said nothing.

Wendy didn't seem fazed. She smiled confidently and said, "I'm Wendy Johnstone. You can call me Wendy."

"She's going to be your sister-in-law," Lucas added casually.

This time, he finally looked at Ariel. "I've found someone I truly want to be with. Treat her as family."