âIâLL be making a call outside.
Betsy, keep an eye on her,âAriana said, locking eyes with Betsy before departing.
She found a quiet corner where she could be alone and, after a brief moment of hesitation, Ariana dialed the number she had memorized by heart.
The phone was finally answered after a few rings.
Theodoreâs voice came through, a little low and tired.
âwhatâs going on?â
Ariana hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
âIâm sorry, am I disturbing you?â
There was a brief silence on the other end before Theodore asked in a patient tone, âNo, what happened?â
âItâs about Sarah, her daughterâ¦â Ariana started to explain but was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a vague female voice from Theodoreâs side.
âOh, youâre still busy.
I thought your assistant would have informed youâ¦â the woman said on the other end, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
Ariana couldnât hear the rest of the sentence clearly, but she was able to distinguish who the woman was speaking.
The distinct, raspy tone could only belong to Jennifer.
Ariana remembered their conversation from earlier in the day Jennifer, who never smoked, had a naturally hoarse voice that was often mistaken for that of a heavy smoker.
As a child, Jennifer was teased for her deep voice, but she fought back and eventually became the most powerful student in her school.
@
With a note of surprise in her voice, Ariana asked Theodore, âDo you know Miss Austin?â @
In the BRD Group office, Theodore held the phone in his hand and glared at Jennifer.
She covered her mouth, and blinked with fear in her eyes, showing him she wouldnât make a sound.
Without saying anything to her, he turned and spoke into the phone.
âYes.
Iâve come to Ivebridge this time for business cooperation with the Austin Group.
â
There was silence at the other end of the phone, as Ariana wasnât sure what to say.
Theodore waited for her to ask for help but she didnât say anything.
He wondered if he should mention Sarahâs matter first and tell her that he was willing to help them.
But his pride wouldnât let him.
âIf thereâs nothing else, Iâll hang up now.
I have something to doâ¦â
He was trying to act cool to make Ariana talk.
However, before he could finish speaking, there was a beeping sound from his phone.
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He looked down and saw that she had hung up on him.
And this was not the first time she had done this.
Theodoreâs face darkened.
He stared at the black screen as if he was trying to burn a hole in it with his intense glare.
âWell⦠Are you⦠finished with work?â Apprehensive, Jennifer looked at Theodoreâs angry face and had the urge to run away.
He glanced back at her coldly.
âWhatâs the matter?â