Chapter 27

Elodie’s chest tightened, caught between shock and disbelief.

It took her a long moment to find her voice. “In that case, may I ask-when do you plan to come with me to get…” The word “divorce papers” hovered on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t say it.

Jarrod’s phone rang.

He glanced at Elodie, then turned away to answer, his tone unconsciously softening. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

Without waiting to see if Elodie had anything more to say, he spun on his heel and strode off, long legs carrying him away in that same cold, dismissive manner he’d always used with her.

Elodie had wanted to use the chance to ask when he might spare some time to visit her grandmother, to finally clear things up. But watching Jarrod head off without a second thought-eager, no doubt, to see Sylvie-she simply climbed into her car.

Forget it.

Another time.

She didn’t have the strength or energy to entangle herself with him anymore.

After opening the box of medication, she dropped the pills one by one into a clear pill bottle, tossed the packaging, and headed back to VistaLink Technologies.

Elodie hadn’t mentioned she’d gone to the doctor; Esmeralda assumed she’d visited her uncle and asked how things were going.

Thinking of her uncle’s pained expression, Elodie shut her eyes and shook her head. “He’s about the same.”

Esmeralda’s face fell with sympathy as she hugged Elodie.

Elodie hugged her back. “I’ll be fine.”

That evening, after work, Elodie returned home and tried to organize her thoughts. The drone project was at the forefront of future tech, and VistaLink Technologies would be closely aligned with government policies over the next two years. She already had a comprehensive plan in mind, but she needed to sit down with Alexander and the others to discuss it.

Before she knew it, it was nearly ten o’clock.

Her medication alarm went off. She swallowed her pills, fighting the nausea, just as her phone rang-Alexander’s name lighting up the screen.

“Hey, kiddo, there’s something you should know.”

“…Yeah?”

“I met with Mr. Ableson tonight. Jarrod and Sylvie showed up-Sylvie wants to partner with us on the next project. She doesn’t lack ambition, that’s for sure!”

Elodie was surprised by Sylvie’s confidence. “What about Jarrod?”

Alexander snorted. “He’s willing to bankroll the whole thing, as long as VistaLink Technologies agrees. Basically wants to buy his way into the project team.”

Elodie leaned against the kitchen island, letting out a faint, bitter smile.

Jarrod was this his way of proving Sylvie was worthy of anything she wanted? “Alex, don’t worry about me. This is business-if you think it’s the right decision after a proper evaluation, then go ahead and give it a shot.”

She wouldn’t let her personal feelings get in the way. VistaLink Technologies was the result of so many people’s hard work; it wasn’t fair to let her emotions dictate its future.

Besides, she didn’t care anymore.

“If you’re not bothered, I sure as hell am!” Alexander scoffed. “There’s plenty of rich, powerful investors out there—it’s not like The Silverstein Group is our only option. VistaLink Technologies has never been the one waiting to be picked! Just focus on your part. Leave the rest to me.”

A warmth spread through Elodie’s chest. “Thanks, Alex.”

He grunted. “Don’t get sentimental on me! I’m hanging up.”

Elodie smiled at her phone screen.

She didn’t know exactly how Alexander planned to turn down Jarrod and Sylvie,

and she didn’t intend to interfere.

She turned out the lights and went to bed.

At the club.

Maurice tossed his cards down in disbelief. “You turned them down?”

“Sylvie-PhD from Pinecrest Institute of Technology-and even Alexander won’t give her the time of day?” Maurice shook his head, baffled. “Who does Alexander even respect?”

Joseph shot a glance at Jarrod, who sat calm and composed at the table. “My old man says the U.N2 project has Alexander’s fingerprints all over it-the higher-ups are obsessed with it. It’s cutting-edge tech, the weapons systems have no weaknesses, and every new project at VistaLink Technologies is getting priority support. No wonder his standards are sky-high.”

Five years ago, with U.N2, Alexander had already made a name for himself.

To this day, no one’s managed to crack the U.N2 system or its underlying design.

That tells you everything about Alexander’s value.

“So what’s Elodie’s role in all this? There’s no way she’s not taking revenge-don’t tell me she’s completely innocent!” Maurice still thought Elodie must be stirring the pot behind the scenes.

“She joined VistaLink Technologies,” Jarrod replied coolly, taking his time.

Maurice and Joseph both looked stunned.

“Her? Elodie?” Maurice burst out laughing, openly relishing the drama. “What’s she going to do there?”

“Clean the floors?”

“Be someone’s secretary?”