Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 56 Silence fell over the scene . Ariel gave Matt a cool glance , while Perry eyed her and stepped in to say , " I don't think Ms. Walker needs to handle something like that . " This was something the waiters should be doing . Both Chad and Ariel immediately understood what Matt was implying . He'd just praised Nancy as a top elite bound for a clear future , and now he was asking Ariel to do something menial . His words sent a clear message that she was not on the same level as Nancy .

Ariel knew that the bed - climbing and forced - marriage scandal had incited the group's hatred for her . To them , she was someone who needed to atone for her sins . Matt patted his forehead and said , " Oh , I didn't mean anything by it . I thought that since Ms. Walker was a housewife for three years , she'd be more used to doing that . ' Ariel couldn't help but glance at Jayson . He had to know how little regard his people had for her , but he'd never cared about her feelings . Just like now , he was indifferently watching from the sidelines and never thought of her as his wife .

Her lips tugged in a cold sneer as she coldly replied , " If you have trouble with your hands , perhaps I can assist . " The smile on Matt's face froze . He hadn't expected Ariel to fire back like that , and it seemed she wasn't the same docile lady from before . Ignoring the drastic change in his expression , Ariel turned her head , only to lock eyes with Jayson across the table . He was already watching her , and for a split second , there was almost a smirk flickering in his usually cold gaze . It was gone in a blink . Ariel was stunned . Why had Jayson just smiled at her ?

In all the years they'd lived together , she could barely count the times he'd smiled at her . His thoughts remained as inscrutable as ever . It was Chad who finally broke the awkward silence . He shot Matt a look and said , " What would you like , Mr. Crosby ? I'll grill it for you . " Matt snapped back to reality and instantly lost interest when Ariel wasn't playing along . There was no way he'd actually let Chad lower himself like that . " I was just joking , Mr. Hockney . " Anyone could tell that Chad was defending Ariel , and perhaps , a little too much . Nancy frowned .

Could Chad have had feelings for Ariel ? Perry turned his gaze on Chad and tried to read something between the lines . It was just too much for Chad and Ariel's employee - employer relationship . Sensing the attention , Chad raised his glass toward Perry with a casual nod . Ariel didn't notice . She turned to Freya , who'd been eating in focused silence , and passed her a skewer of grilled Chapter 56 +25 BONUS mushrooms . Ariel was the obsemant kind who always noticed what others liked . " Freya looked up a her cheeks puffed with food . Then she said sweetly , " Thank you , Ms. Walker .

" Ariel gave her a soft smile . " You're welcome . " Watching the two interact , Renee's frown deepened with each second . Then , she slammed her can of soda on the table and declared , " I've lost my appetite ! " The can's impact against the metal tray was startling , sending soda flying in all directions . Unexpectedly , flames flared , accompanied by a sudden rush of fire . Positioned nearest the grill , Ariel had barely a moment to register the flames surging in her direction. Just then , a pale , bony hand reached out and seized the rim of the grill tray .

In one swift , decisive movement , it pulled the tray back , and the fire recoiled instantly . Nancy gasped . " Jayson ! Are your hands okay ? " Ariel snapped out of her daze and looked over to see Jayson frowning . After tossing the scorched tray aside , he curled his fingers slightly ; the tips were clearly reddened from the heat . She froze . Had Jayson just been concerned that she might burn from the flames ?