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    Jayson reacted fast. He met the iing bottle with his fist, shattering it in midair.

    Ariel saw blood running down his knuckles.

    The two men lunged at each other.

    Lucas sobered up instantly. Eyes bloodshot, he stared at Jayson, his torn lip twisting into augh.” Jayson, let me be straight with you. Ari’s heart has always been with me. You can have any woman you want, so why tear us apart? Do me a favor. Let her go, and let us be together.”

    Upon hearing that, Jayson suddenly froze. His expression was dark and brooding.

    That single hesitation gave Lucas an opening. Fueled by rage, he tossed aside the jagged bottleneck, grabbed Jayson by the cor, and mmed him against the door.

    A loud bang echoed through the room.

    As Ariel watched the scene before her, a suffocating fury welled up, burning in her throat until it hurt.” Enough, Lucas!”

    She was rarely one to lose her temper. Even in the face of the biggest problems, she was usually calm. But now, her clenched fists were trembling from how hard she was gripping it.

    Ariel was grateful for the care Lucas once gave her, but those very things had turned into a de at her throat. She used to believe Lucas was someone she could lean on like Elena, Katie, and Leonard.

    Family affection had always been something she clung to.

    But the old filter of dependence had long since shattered. Now, even thest trace of their ten–plus years

    of bond was gone.

    b“/bYou want an answer, Lucas?” She looked at him coldly. “I don’t feel anything for you. What I had was gratitude, a childish attachment. All I ever felt for you was dependence. I don’t love you. Do you hear me? bIf /byou do, then leave.”

    Lucas froze at those words.

    Whether it was the alcohol clouding his brain again or something else, he looked hollow, like something had been ripped from him. Bent over, he gasped for breath. He was still drunk.

    Jayson lowered hisshes, his eyes locked on Ariel without a blink.

    Ignoring him, she bent down and picked up Lucas‘ phone that had fallen at her feet. He never bothered with a password, so it was easy to unlock. She scrolled until she found Wendy’s number and dialed it. When the call connected, she gave a quick address. “Pleasee pick him up.”

    Then, she tossed the phone back to Lucas.

    Jayson’s gaze narrowed slightly. Looking at the defeated Lucas, he flexed his fingers. His knuckles were still bleeding, but he didn’t care in the slightest. A faint curl tugged at his lipsb. /b“Mr. Sanderson, who told you we were separated?”

    Lucas‘ face darkened even further.

    Ariel frowned at Jayson, confused by the sudden question. Also, where did hee from? 1

    Just as she was thinking, the elevator doors suddenly opened, and Wendy rushed out. bIt /bhad only been three minutes since the call.

    Ariel’s expression shifted.

    Wendy had been nearby too?

    The moment Wendy saw Lucas with blood on his face, her eyes went red. She hurried over to support him. “Lucas!”

    Lucas didn’t respond.

    But Wendy’s eyes shot to Ariel, zing with hatred. “I’m begging you! Know your ce and stop showing up in front of him!”

    So Wendy had known all along.

    Ariel suddenly remembered what Wendy had once told her. The diamond ne Lucas gave her was just a freebie that came with Wendy’s gift. At the time, she believed it was unintentional. But looking back, who was really that oblivious? The very fact that Wendy said it meant there was some hidden meaning behind it.

    Ariel suddenly wondered, why were people such ves to feelings? Driven by emotions, they did things that weren’t true to themselves. She once had, and now Wendy was doing the same.

    She was trapped by emotions. Pitiful, yet hateful.