Alexander arched an eyebrow, ncing in Elodie''s direction before speaking at an unhurried pace. "You tter me, truly. I''m not the developer of U.N2. At best, I was a witness and yed a small part."


    The confession left those nearby visibly stunned.


    Questions erupted at once.


    Alexander simply waved them off. "Apologies, but I can''t say more."


    Just as he managed to send the curious on their way, he realized Jarrod and his group had arrived at some point-and they''d clearly overheard everything.


    Maurice looked the most shaken. "You mean to say U.N2 wasn''t developed by Mr. Sterling? If not you, who else could it possibly be?"


    Sylvie was just as surprised.


    They''d always assumed the brilliant young mind behind U.N2 was someone like Alexander-after all, no one else in their generation couldpare. On top of that, he was the only son of Dr. Charlie Sterling, which only cemented their belief. Everything pointed to Alexander.


    "Are you joking, Mr. Sterling?" Sylvie''s voice carried a note of disbelief, though she managed a polite smile. "There''s no one else in our field with your reputation."


    Jarrod watched Alexander with a thoughtful, unreadable gaze, withholdingment for the moment.


    Grady, standing nearby, frowned. "Come on, Mr. Sterling. Don''t sell yourself short. We all know U.N2 is military-grade tech. I can''t believe you''re not at the heart of it."


    Alexander''s attention shifted to Sylvie. He looked her up and down, subtle but unmistakable, and replied, "I''m telling the truth."


    Maurice sucked in a sharp breath.


    This turned everything they thought they knew upside down.


    If not Alexander, then who in the world could it be?


    Even Sylvie seemed at a loss. "Then, Mr. Sterling, could you perhaps introduce us?"


    Alexander only offered a cryptic smile. "Introduction... isn''t necessary."


    The truth was, the person they sought was standing right in front of them. Unfortunately, no one dared to guess it.


    Meanwhile, Elodie had been circling the room, quietly assessing the general level of technology on disy before making her way back. As she drew closer, she noticed that Jarrod and his group were now standing with Alexander.


    But then-


    Elodie slowed her steps, her gazending on Sylvie.


    Jarrod turned, and Sylvie also nced over.


    For a moment, a hush fell over the group.


    Until Grady, brow furrowed in confusion, broke the silence. "Elodie, did you realize you''re wearing the same gown as Ms. Fielding?"


    All eyes fell on the two women.


    Sure enough-they were both wearing the same palevender mermaid gown.


    Sylvie''s expression darkened instantly; her irritation was obvious.


    She hadn''t expected Elodie to show up in the exact same designer dress. There were only two of these in the entire country-what were the odds?


    Jarrod''s gaze lingered on Elodie, something flickering in his dark eyes.


    Elodie pressed her lips together and looked up. She''d noticed the way Jarrod''s brow had creased and then smoothed over; she guessed he wasn''t pleased.


    The situation left her feeling awkward as well, especially at an event like this. "Just a coincidence," she said quietly.


    "Some coincidence," Maurice said, raising his eyebrows. "Of all people, it''s Sylvie you match with. Are you trying to make a statement?"


    Sylvie''s polite smile had all but vanished.


    First Elodie took an interest in drones, now she was copying her sense of style? To pull a stunt like this at such a high-profile event-did Elodie have any sense of decorum?


    Alexander, unable to listen any longer, stepped in. "How could she possibly know what Ms. Fielding would be wearing tonight? Beautiful dresses are meant to be admired and enjoyed. Everyone brings their own style to them, don''t they?"


    At that, Maurice and Grady''s gazes shifted back and forth between Elodie and Sylvie, finally settling on Elodie.


    Elodie had a natural elegance-broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a graceful neck, and she stood a little taller than Sylvie, her poise shining through.


    Sylvie, for her part, had a curvier, more striking figure,manding attention at first nce. The two women wore the same dress, yet the effect was entirely different.


    What surprised them most was how effortlessly Elodie pulled it off-there was something quietly captivating about her.


    Elodie caught Jarrod''s nce, sensing his mood.


    She steadied herself. Wearing the same dress was an ident, but at an event


    like this, it was bound to draw attention and felt a little undignified.


    There had to be a solution.


    Then-


    "You should go change," Jarrod said, his tone cool but unyielding.


    He was speaking to Elodie.