Ariel Morris suddenly tightened her grip on the documents and said nothing.
Dawn Sutherland looked at Ariel's slightly pale face, elbowed Nico Haynes, gave him a warning look, and asked with concern, "Ariel, is everything okay with the Morris Clan?"
Ariel lifted her eyes to look at Dawn. After a moment of hesitation, she stammered, "Brother Dawn, could you... please help me?"
Before Dawn could respond, Nico Haynes interjected, looking at Ariel, "It's not that we don't want to help you, Ariel Morris, but you have to find Arlo Seys. As long as Arlo agrees, contracts, funds, we'll settle everything for you within three days without a word!"
"But Arlo Seys..." Just thinking about Arlo's attitude earlier made Ariel's eyes sting with tears. "Arlo won't help me..."
Her voice was hoarse and barely audible.
Nico, thoughtlessly, blurted out, "If I were Arlo, I would have ruined the Morris Clan Group long ago! Arlo's being magnanimous already!"
Arlo Seys had said this before too.
If it hadn't been for her back then... she and Arlo might still be happily together now?
Now it's understandable that Arlo doesn't forgive her or help the Morris Clan.
After all, now no one belongs to anyone.
The past relationship can't be exchanged for present transactions.
Ariel lowered her gaze, her heart aching as if it were being pricked by needles.
After Nico spoke, he might have realized his mistake and awkwardly turned his head away, avoiding looking at Ariel's submissive demeanor.
Back then, Ariel was doted on by Arlo, cherished in his heart. Nico often argued with Ariel verbally, causing her displeasure, and Arlo would secretly avenge that on Nico.
In those days, Ariel was always so arrogant in front of him, always wearing an air of a little queen. Seeing Ariel now acting this subdued and cautious, Nico wasn't used to it.
"Third Haynes! No one would consider you mute if you keep quiet!" Dawn Sutherland, typically gentle and refined, dropped his mild smile and scolded.
"Brother Dawn, you... really can't help me?" Compared to the cynical and sharp-tongued Nico, Ariel preferred to rely on Dawn, who always treated her like a younger sister.
Dawn sighed, "Ariel, it's not that I won't help you. If I help you, with Arlo... Arlo, myself, Third Haynes, the three of us grew up together, closer than actual brothers. Arlo is our elder brother. If he doesn't agree to something, neither can we do it, nor dare we. Not just us, but the whole of City C, as long as Arlo says no, no one would dare to help your Morris Clan."
"So..." There really was no other way, she had to plead with Arlo Seys. Considering this, Ariel felt nothing but exasperation and a shiver down her spine.
Dawn nodded, encouraging her, "Ariel, just like how you won over Arlo before, you can do it again now!"
Because of these words, Ariel's pale cheeks were suddenly tinged with a soft blush.
Thinking about how she pursued Arlo back then.
Now recalling it, she felt she couldn't face people!
Moreover, she had chased Arlo so openly and confidently before because she had nothing holding her back, allowing her to be fearless.
But now, after breaking up with Arlo and being apart for eight years, she really lacked the confidence and boldness to pursue him again.
Seeing her like this, Nico, once more, unleashed his sharp tongue, "Tsk, Ariel, when you chased after Arlo, it was the talk of the entire Scenic Hill High School! It still serves as a model in the school's girl-chasing-boy couple rankings! Your name's recorded in history!"
"..." Ariel, her eyes slightly misty, glared fiercely at Nico, then calmly retorted, "Yes! Back then, Third Young Master Haynes tucked his tail between his legs, bowing his head to respectfully address me as sister-in-law..."
"Damn! That was Arlo's doing!" Recalling the humiliating history of being utterly outdone by Ariel, Nico felt it was a disgrace.