Elodie wasn''t feeling well.


    Her condition had already been unstable, and she''d pushed herself to prepare for this evening''s g-only for Jarrod to show up with Sylvie and throw herpletely off bnce.


    A feverish heat crept through her body. She fumbled in her purse for her


    medication and swallowed two pills without thinking, hoping to stifle the pain twisting in her abdomen.


    She wasn''t sure how much time had passed when she finally noticed Alexander''s second call lighting up her phone.


    "Alex?"


    "Where are you?"


    Elodie nced at her reflection in the mirror; she looked pale, almost sickly. "Outside. I''ll be back in a minute."


    "There''s a discussion panel starting can you join us here?"


    "Sure, I''ming now."


    She dabbed on a bit more makeup, making sure she looked presentable before stepping out.


    Mr. Patrick, the central figure of tonight''s discussion, was already there when Elodie arrived. Jarrod and Sylvie were deep in conversation with him,ughing as if they''d known each other for years.


    Elodie made her way to Alexander''s side. As soon as there was an opening, Alexander led her over to Mr. Patrick.


    Finally, Elodie had a chance to speak to him directly. Alexander leaned in and murmured something in Mr. Patrick''s ear.


    Mr. Patrick''s expression changed the moment he looked at Elodie. "So you''re " He quickly reined in his surprise, remembering discretion, and couldn''t help but remark, "No wonder Mr. Sterling speaks so highly of Ms. Thorne. I must admit, I failed to see it before."


    Elodie smiled politely. "It''s an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Patrick."


    As the two of them chatted, Jarrod and his group took notice. Sylvie cast several curious nces their way.


    She couldn''t help but wonder-what could Elodie possibly have to talk about with Mr. Patrick?


    "She really puts on a good show," Maurice remarked with a smirk, ncing at Sylvie. "She doesn''t understand policy, knows nothing about tech, and couldn''t care less about the core of VistaLink Technologies. Yet here she is, chatting away with Mr. Patrick like she belongs."


    Sylvie just smiled, saying nothing. She understood Maurice''s implication—he was using Elodie of imitating her, trying to emte her easy rapport with Mr. Patrick.


    But Sylvie didn''t care about Elodie''s antics. In a low voice, she said to Jarrod, "It''s a shame Mr. Charles couldn''t make it tonight."


    Jarrod''s lips curled in a faint, knowing smile. "If you want it, there''ll be another chance."


    Sylvie understood his meaning, and her smile turned genuinely sweet.


    Meanwhile, Joseph felt a strange sense of unease. He gave Elodie a long, searching look, then turned to Jarrod. "Don''t you think Elodie''s been acting... differenttely?"


    Jarrod traced his finger along the rim of his teacup, recalling the recent changes.


    Elodie didn''te home as much.


    She''d stopped cooking for him.


    She barely called or texted anymore.


    Still, he doubted this phase wouldst. Some people act out because someone always indulges them.


    But Elodie was different. She''d always been sensible. In the end, she''de back as if nothing had ever happened.


    "Does it matter?" he replied indifferently.


    Joseph was taken aback, then fell silent.


    Elsewhere, staff began distributing pamphlets introducing the variouspanies'' core technology projects-including The Jett Group.


    Mr. Patrick had been speaking quietly with Elodie when someone turned to her and asked, "Ivan-Mr. Harcourt is your brother, isn''t he, Ms. Thorne?"


    Elodie looked up, a flicker of difort crossing her face. "... Yes."


    "I thought so. I heard Mr. Harcourt''s gotten awfully close with the Jett family''s heiresstely. Chairman Jett''s even handed him some majorpany projects— treating him like a future son-inw, by the sound of it. Does this mean we''ll be attending Mr. Harcourt''s wedding soon?"


    Elodie hesitated. Ivan wasn''t as open with her as he used to be; she only heard about his life through the grapevine these days.


    She shook her head slightly. "I... really couldn''t say."


    "Come on, you''re his sister-how could you not know? Are you covering for him, Ms. Thorne?" the man teased.


    Elodie instinctively wanted to avoid talking about Ivan. She brushed off the subject with a brief reply, her hand pressing against her aching stomach. Leaning toward Alexander, she whispered, "I need to use the restroom."


    Alexander caught sight of her pale face and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"


    Elodie forced a calm expression, swallowing her difort. "I''m fine."


    She pushed back her chair and headed out, the sound of blood rushing in her


    ears making everything feel unsteady. The fever and pain were getting worse; just walking felt like a battle.


    Halfway down the corridor, her legs gave out. She stumbled sideways,


    identally knocking over a teapot as she copsed.


    Strong arms caught her just before she hit the floor.


    All around her, startled voices rose in rm.