Even though Neural Intelligence had burst onto the scene with impressive force, Elodie and Alexander kept their feet on the ground. They were practical-people needed motivation, after all. It was time to give the VistaLink Technologies team a little boost, something to lift spirits and steady the ship.

So, Alexander reserved a private room at the Nebula Bistro for that evening. He brought along the tech and project departments, intending to share a meal and talk through VistaLink’s next steps.

The group arrived at Nebula Bistro in a boisterous wave. As Elodie stepped inside, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen-surprised to see it was Jarrod, sending his first message since she’d gotten his number.

[Are you free the day after tomorrow? I’d like you to come with me to Raleigh’s birthday dinner.]

Elodie’s brows knit together reflexively.

Her grandmother had mentioned this event, wanting her and Jarrod to attend together. Elodie had assumed Jarrod would find a way to bow out gracefully- hadn’t he handled it? If not, just what would they be, turning up “together”? Even before they’d filed for divorce, their marriage had been a well-kept secret. Now it would be even harder to explain.

Showing up as a couple now, of all times, would raise eyebrows. And what were they supposed to say about their relationship? Jarrod couldn’t possibly miss how awkward this would be.

“Elodie? Everything alright?” Esmeralda’s voice broke through her thoughts; she’d paused and glanced back in concern.

Elodie snapped out of it. She shook her head, deciding not to bother with the message for now. “Let’s go.”

Alexander was already leading the group toward their reserved table. Elodie and Esmeralda trailed upstairs, taking their time.

As they passed the second floor, they noticed a lively private party down the hall. Just as Elodie was about to ascend further with Esmeralda, a woman’s startled voice drifted over. “Elodie? Is that you?”

She turned and saw Selma standing nearby. At the same moment, Sylvie stepped out of the private room. Gone was her usual gentle smile-her expression had turned cold, almost contemptuous.

Selma regarded Elodie and smiled slowly. “Well, fancy running into you. Why don’t you join us for dinner?” She paused, unable to suppress a smug little laugh, gesturing toward the private room. “We’re celebrating-Sylvie’s just launched a new company. I wanted to thank all her friends and supporters. You must’ve heard about it, right?”

Elodie’s expression frosted over. She could hear the smugness in Selma’s words as clear as day.

Esmeralda didn’t hold back, her voice dry with sarcasm. “Funny, I heard the Fielding family isn’t exactly rolling in it. Must’ve been quite the shortcut, launching a company this size. Ms. Fielding is lucky, isn’t she?”

Sylvie hated how Esmeralda always leapt to Elodie’s defense, but she didn’t bother responding. Deep down, she understood the hostility. Esmeralda’s snide comments were for Elodie’s sake-after all, Elodie had never received this sort of favor from Jarrod. A little jealousy was only natural.

Selma, however, seemed immune to the jab. She smiled as if she hadn’t caught the insult, pressing on with her syrupy invitation. “You really should join us. Good things are contagious, you know. Sylvie and Jarrod have always been close—he’s invested so much in her future, all out of the goodness of his heart. Of course, we’re a respectable family, so we want to show Jarrod our gratitude as well…”

Elodie stared back, her gaze icy and unflinching. She knew exactly what game Selma was playing this was nothing but a thinly veiled boast. Worse, it stung because Selma had once betrayed her mother, Winifred Thorne, framing her for stealing a friend’s designs. Now, seeing that familiar false smile, the old bitterness returned. Any resolve Elodie had to ignore people like Selma faded away.

She turned to face them fully, her eyes glinting with cold clarity. Her voice was measured and cool. “You’re right—it does take a special kind of talent to spend someone else’s husband’s money.”

Sylvie’s face went rigid, the mask slipping for a moment.

Just then, the sharp click of a lighter broke the silence from somewhere nearby.

Elodie glanced over her shoulder and locked eyes with Jarrod, standing in the shadows, his gaze as dark and unreadable as ever.