Chapter 4 Never Stingy

Brennen was never one to hold back on spending money for his partner, yet purchasing a house for Ariella that was worth nearly one hundred million dollars was a first.

He chose not to share the news himself, opting instead for Property Management Bureau to do the honors. Was this his way of drawing a line under their relationship?

Ariella was no fool, so she was able to understand what he meant right away.

Speechless, she began to ponder. Was this his way of breaking things off?

After toying with her phone for a bit, Ariella cracked a smile.

They were both grown-ups. If he was ready to move on, so could she, and they could part ways amicably.

Without a second thought, Ariella headed to Property Management Bureau and wrapped up the paperwork. She even took a moment to silently thank Brennen for his lavish parting gift.

Just as she went out of Property Management Bureau, she received a call from her secretary.

"Ms. Fletcher, what's the plan for the Opda Corporation contract?"

Ariella wasn't just any manager. She headed the public relations department at AS Group, a renowned company nationwide.

She was in the midst of negotiating a deal with a notoriously tough client, Opda Corporation.

Ariella rubbed her nose, quickly making up her mind. "Book the flight. I'm off to Ephouver tonight."

"Yes, ma'am."

Over the next week, Ariella found herself tangled with the Opda Corporation. Despite her efforts, she couldn't get a meeting with the key decision-maker. Left with no other option, she turned to her well-connected friend, Lainey Ford, for assistance.

Lainey did some digging and informed her that the head of the project would be at Infinity Bar at nine that evening.

Infinity Bar, nestled in the heart of Ephouver, beckoned. Ariella pondered for a moment before selecting a silver sequin dress from her suitcase. She slipped into it and styled her long hair into a casual braid, achieving a look that was effortlessly chic and seductive. Her makeup was subtle, yet captivating enough to draw the gaze of both men and women.

True to her expectations, upon entering the bar, several men approached her. She greeted them with a polite smile, signaling that she wasn't alone and was waiting for friends.

The crowd was here to unwind, and nobody was looking to stir up trouble. They backed off gracefully at her gentle refusal, though their eyes lingered.

The bar had no secluded rooms, just a few reserved seats by the dance floor. Ariella scanned the room and quickly spotted the man she was there to see.

He was surrounded by three or four men, each flanked by women on both arms, all of them visibly enjoying themselves.

In the midst of it all, he accepted every toast from his friends without hesitation. Ariella approached with a cocktail in hand from the bar. As they concluded their toasts, she seized the moment. "Mr. Barrett, you've enjoyed their company and their drinks. Now, how about a glass from me? Let's keep the party lively!"

Mr. Barrett instinctively turned around. Upon seeing her, he fell silent for what seemed like an eternity.

Ariella extended her wine towards him and offered a smile. "Mr. Barrett, you've yet to try my wine."

The admiration in his eyes was evident to her. This was a promising start.

Regaining his composure, Mr. Barrett took the glass from Ariella's hand and looked her in the eye. "I'll drink it."

He downed it in one go. Ariella complimented him, "You certainly can hold your liquor, sir."

"May I ask your name?" Mr. Barrett invited her to sit and shooed the other women away.

"My name is Ariella," she replied.

"Is this your first visit? I don't recall seeing you before."

"With so many faces passing through Infinity Bar daily, how can you be so sure we've never crossed paths?"

Oozing confidence, Mr. Barrett responded, "I frequent this place. A beauty like you would be unforgettable."

Ariella responded with a smile.

Suddenly, he sensed something amiss. "But how do you know my last name? Are you familiar with me?"