Chapter 421


    Chapter 421


    “Fair enough.” Neil Whitmore opened his PayPal, “Send me your payment request, I’ll settle it. I’m done


    ying.”


    Ariana managed to muster up a small smile, opened up her PayPal.


    After Neil had paid, he stood up and left to smoke outside the living room.


    Mitch had been silently observing from the sidelines. His expression was unreadable, but when Ariana


    nced at him, he quickly averted his gaze and retreated to the kitchen.


    For Ste’s happiness, I ultimately found myself stepping outside to find Neil, who was out in the patio


    smoking.


    He was wearing a simple ck t-shirt, revealing the toned muscles of his arms. It was just right, not too


    skinny, not too muscr. It seemed his smoking habit was growing, as he was often seen with a


    cigarette in his hands.


    Upon seeing me, Neil raised an eyebrow before stepping away.


    I approached him once more.


    “Don’t you dislike the smell of smoke?” he questioned, surprised to see me seeking him out. His eyes


    were focused on me, reflecting the slight irritation on my face.


    I didn’t respond to his question but instead asked, “Tell me, do you know what’s going on between


    Mitch and Ariana?”


    At the mention of their names, a meaningful look crossed Nell’s face. He nced back towards the


    living room and snuffed out his cigarette beneath his shoe, “I have a hunch, what about


    it?”


    “How far have things gone between them?” I pressed.


    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    “All I said was that I sensed something was off, how would I know how far they’ve taken things?” Neil


    looked at me, slightly exasperated, “Irene Finch, take it easy.”


    I was naturally frantic, considering this matter affected Ste’s marital happiness, and my tone wasn’t


    the kindest.


    Neil’s reminder brought me back to my senses.


    “I’m sorry, I’m just a bit on edge.” I slightly adjusted my tone, “Since Mitch is currently partnering with


    you and you spend quite a bit of time together, I thought I’d ask you.”


    Neil gave a smallugh with a slightly devilish look in his eyes.


    Despite being a man in his thirties, there wasn’t a wrinkle on his face. Instead, his age seemed to have


    added a mature andposed air to his already exceptional character, making him even more


    charming.


    Karina had to be careful, as it seemed that Neil was even more attractive e to Ariana than Mitch was.


    At the same time, I felt a sense of relief. Thank goodness this kind of man was no longer my husband,


    or else I’d have to be on guard against all sorts of other women for the rest of my life. During my past


    life, I wasn’t able to fend off Bonnie Tueley, and in this life, I couldn’t fend off Karina. It seems I’m


    destined to be single.


    “Most of my interactions with him are solely work-rted, we haven’t met up much privately recently.


    As my tone softened, so did Neil’s.


    “How did you sense that something was off between Mitch and Ariana?” I asked, furrowing my brows.


    Neil answered, “At one of the executive gatherings, Ariana shouldn’t have been there, but Mitch invited


    her. Also, some job promotions and demptions reveal that he treats Ariana differently.”


    Hearing this made my blood boil.


    Apparently, it wasn’t just the insinuations in the chat history between Ste and Mitch. Mitch seemed to


    be giving Ariana special treatment.


    I calmed myself down and asked, “What’s Ariana’s educational background? Whichpany did she


    work for before?”


    Neil looked at me with a half-smile, “Curious?”


    Of course, I was curious. If Ariana was genuinelypetent, then I could understand Mitch’s actions.


    But if she wasn’t, then Mitch’s actions would indicate an inappropriate rtionship


    “Yes, do you know?” I admitted openly.


    “I don’t.” Neil’s response was curt, his face expressing disinterest, “I’m partnering with Mitch, but our


    companies aren’t merged. We each manage our people. I have no interest in Ariana’s background.”


    I had nothing to say to this, as it was a reasonable point.


    So, I’ll have to investigate Ariana myself and get to the bottom of this.


    Just as I was pondering my next steps, Neil spoke up again, “I could pull up her resume for you if you


    want my help?”


    “Can you?” I was definitely in need.


    If Neil could help me ess Ariana’s information, it would save me a lot of time and help me figure out


    if Mitch was indeed in the wrong.


    “I can. But as you know, I’m a businessman. I believe in quid pro quo.” Neil’s gaze pinned me down,


    “What do you say?”


    “State your terms first,” I asked directly.


    “I haven’t decided yet.” Neil shrugged after a moment of thought.


    “Then, forget it.” I immediately rejected his offer.


    Although I wanted to help Ste, Neil wasn’t exactly the most trustworthy person. I didn’t want to fall


    into his trap and invite Karina’s wrath, causing trouble for myself.


    Seeing my refusal, Neil quickly moved to stop me, “I promise it won’t be anything you can’t handle.”


    “Really?” I was skeptical.


    “Yes. You should know that ourpanies keep employee information confidential to prevent poaching


    bypetitors. So if you were to investigate on your own, it would be quite difficult. By the time you get


    what you need, it might already be toote.” Neil kindly reminded me.


    I wasn’t entirely aware of this, but Neil probably wasn’t lying.


    Somepanies do encrypt employee data, especially for key positions.


    But was Ariana worthy of such measures?


    She wasn’t, but Mitch, being the fool he was, might just do something like that.


    The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Any injustice Ste suffered felt like an Injustice to me,


    and I couldn’t stand for it.


    “I have two conditions: first, it can’t involve my two children, and second, it can’t require me to do


    anything that goes against my conscience.” Right now, all I wanted was to figure out Ariana’s


    background as soon as possible ande up with a counter strategy for Ste.


    “What do you consider being against your conscience?” Neil seemed a little confused..


    “Anything that crosses the line between a man and a woman, or anything illegal,” I answered solemnly.


    Neil paused for a moment, a low chuckle emanating from his throat. “You think I’m still hung up on you,


    don’t you? That I’d use some scandal to make you fall into my arms?


    I didn’t respond because I was somewhat worried about that. If I admitted it, I’d sound too vain.


    Neil’s smile deepened, followed by a sigh, “Irene, when did you get so self-assured? I’m not so far


    gone that I’d resort to such a pathetic tactic.


    “You wouldn’t be the first time you’ve used such tactics on me, Neil. You seem to overestimate your


    own sense of morality,” I retorted icily.


    Neil’s smile gradually faded, his gaze showing a hint ofplexity. Then he nodded, “Yes, I admit I had


    been out of line in the past.”