She asked bluntly, “Are you here to call me to account? Or is this just another attempt to threaten me into letting Sylvie Fielding off the hook?”

Jarrod met her gaze, showing no hint of reproach. He offered a slow, easy smile. “Do I look like I’m here for that?”

Elodie let out a cold laugh. “Mr. Silverstein, if you have something to say, just say it. Spare me the games.”

She was genuinely curious.

What kind of threat could Jarrod possibly bring to the table?

Given his position and influence, she needed to know what he was thinking—and what he was capable of. It was better than being blindsided while VistaLink Technologies got stabbed in the back.

Jarrod was not someone she could simply turn away at the door and be done with.

Keith frowned ever so slightly, barely noticeable.

Elodie’s tone toward Mr. Silverstein was… out of line, to say the least.

They were fortunate Mr. Silverstein didn’t seem to mind, or else things would be much uglier.

Jarrod picked up on Elodie’s wariness. He stretched out his long legs, settled comfortably on the sofa, and got straight to the point. “Alright. I want you to drop the charges this time.”

“And what exactly are you offering me in return?” Elodie’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

Unbothered by her attitude, Jarrod laid his cards on the table. “You drop the case, and I’ll transfer full ownership of Nexus Analytics to you. You become the official CEO.”

Elodie’s surprise was obvious; her expression froze.

She hadn’t expected a threat-she’d expected a threat, not… this. Jarrod was offering her Nexus Analytics?

Jarrod gestured, and Keith-wearing a complicated look—immediately handed over a few documents from his briefcase.

Jarrod spread the paperwork out on the coffee table.

“VistaLink Technologies has the talent and technical expertise, but in terms of resources, finances, R&D investment, and even basic infrastructure, you’re lacking. Nexus Analytics fills every one of those gaps.”

He looked up meeting Elodie’s eyes, his tone softening. “I know VistaLink Technologies doesn’t want to be just a research lab forever. If you want to become a major brand, to get a real foothold in the U.S. market, you need to ramp up your hardware capabilities. Production is critical. With Nexus Analytics under your name, VistaLink Technologies could scale up for at least the next decade. It’s a win-win. You don’t lose, and your company stands to gain a fortune.”

Elodie was still struggling to process this.

Anyone in the industry knew what Nexus Analytics meant. Even though it was only one of Jarrod’s tech companies, he’d managed to push it to the front of the pack. Nexus Analytics’ productivity and influence were enormous; just last year, they’d pulled in over $3 billion in revenue.

To save Sylvie from a year or two in prison, he was actually willing to hand over something this valuable. Sure, it was just a subsidiary, but Nexus Analytics was no minor prize.

“Mr. Silverstein, you’re certainly generous.” Elodie had no words for what she was feeling, her brow deeply furrowed.

Jarrod, for his part, seemed unbothered, as if he were offering nothing at all. “Think it over, Elodie. You can either destroy someone who means nothing to your future, or you can see VistaLink Technologies soar to new heights. Frankly, I’d say it’s a very good deal for you.”

Elodie’s gaze lingered on his strikingly handsome features, a touch of mockery in her eyes. “Should I give Mr. Silverstein a round of applause for his noble sacrifice?”

Jarrod met her chilly stare, unfazed by her sarcasm. He spoke with measured calm. “Even if you refuse Sylvie is only facing secondary.

charges. If The Silverstein Gimize

legal team steps in, we can minimize the fallout-at most, it’ll just take some time. You know that. What

you’re really waiting for is a

bargaining chip.”

Elodie didn’t deny it.

Jarrod rose slowly to his feet, his eyes steady on hers. “And even if you insist on sending Sylvie to jail, this wasn’t a deliberate crime on her part. At worst, she’ll be accused of negligence or poor oversight not of stealing proprietary technology. The scandal won’t stick to her.”

“Elodie, Nexus Analytics is yours. Put it to use. That’s the best outcome for everyone.”