Klein’s eyes widened in surprise as he gave Elodie a careful once-over. “Impressive, Ms. Thorne. So young, and already making a name for yourself.”

He couldn’t help thinking she was no ordinary engineer-after all, Alexander wouldn’t pay so much attention to just anyone.

Across from him, Raleigh turned her way as well, looking Elodie up and down with mounting approval. “You know, Ms. Thorne, you’ve got quite the presence- striking looks and real poise. Are you and Alexander together, by any chance?”

Though well into his eighties, Raleigh’s voice carried with the energy of someone decades younger. His question was loud enough for the nearby guests to catch the gist, earning a few curious glances.

Even Jarrod looked up, his gaze lingering on Elodie.

Alexander rubbed the bridge of his nose, catching Jarrod’s reaction out of the corner of his eye. His lips curled with amusement as he leaned in conspiratorially to the two elders and said in a low voice, “No, nothing like that… at least, not yet.”

Raleigh’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, you’d better hurry up! This young woman’s a real catch-smart, capable, and lovely to boot. I bet plenty of fellows have their eye on her. You don’t want to be left in the dust when someone else sweeps her off her feet!”

At that, Joseph instinctively glanced over at Elodie, his lips thinning into a tight line. He shifted his gaze to where Jarrod stood at an angle, watching carefully.

Jarrod, though, was listening to Sylvie, his head dipped as she spoke. Maybe he hadn’t heard Raleigh’s booming suggestion-or maybe he had, and simply didn’t

care.

Maurice leaned in closer to Joseph, nudging him. “Honestly, Elodie’s got a lot going for her. I bet there are plenty of people who’d be interested if they only knew her. What do you think?”

Joseph’s expression barely changed as he replied, “…Sure.”

Maurice laughed, waving a hand. “You really do wear your indifference on your sleeve, you know that?”

Just then, Elias and Naylor entered from the side corridor.

Elias came over to greet Jarrod and the others.

Jarrod nodded in acknowledgment. “Mr. Warwick.”

It was Sylvie’s first time meeting Elias; she’d only ever heard about him before. With quiet confidence, she introduced herself. “It’s a pleasure—my name’s Sylvie.”

Elias gave her a brief nod. “Elias.”

Jarrod asked, “Are you planning to settle down in the States, Mr. Warwick?”

Elias’s reply was calm, almost detached. “Not yet, but I’m considering it.”

Sylvie glanced at him, lowering her gaze in thought.

She was about to say something when Elias checked his watch. “If you’d all like to follow me, the drone fireworks show is about to start in the gardens. I hope you’ll join us.”

Elodie had already heard about the drone display.

Raleigh, ever the military enthusiast, had served in his youth and kept a keen interest in technology. For his birthday celebration, he’d arranged a special fireworks show using drones, going so far as to invite professional operators to handle the event personally.

Elodie knew a bit about these drone displays-there were versions for entertainment and even military-grade models.

She glanced at the small fleet of drones stationed at the far end of the courtyard, mentally estimating their specs. They looked like mid-sized models, probably weighing around 130 pounds each.

Guests had a designated area for viewing.

Elodie had just found her spot when she sensed someone step up beside her. She didn’t bother to look, her focus fixed on the pavilion where the drone operators were preparing their equipment.

She watched as the fireworks-laden drones lifted into the air, their rotors buzzing with a low thunder.

Moments later, one of the drones burst into a bloom of blue fireworks-something new, a cutting-edge design. Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd.

But while everyone else marveled, Elodie’s mind was already racing, calculating the drones’ payload tolerance and the safety of the fireworks rigging.

She was lost in thought for barely two seconds.

Suddenly, a wave of shouts broke out-urgent cries of “Watch out!”

Elodie’s head snapped up.

One of the buzzing drones was veering off course, its navigation system malfunctioning. It was diving straight at her.