As soon as Jarrod arrived, Alexander nced over at Elodie.


    He noticed she showed not a flicker of emotion, fully absorbed in analyzing the data on military-grade products, which made Alexander''s lips curl with


    satisfaction.


    He''d always known Elodie was a woman of strong will. Once she set her mind on something, she could detach herself in an instant. Maintaining herposure had always been one of her strengths.


    Still...


    He couldn''t help but nce at Jarrod.


    Jarrod, from the moment he walked in, was perfectly aware Elodie was there. Yet his gaze skimmed over her withplete indifference, never lingering for even a second.


    To anyone watching-whether they were in the know or not-it would seem as though he and Elodie were total strangers. The ease with which he kept his distance, the effortless unfamiliarity, was almost cruel.


    "Has he ever brought you a cup of coffee or something?" Alexander gave a short, sardonicugh and turned to Elodie. "Mr. Silverstein does have a reputation for being a thoughtful man."


    Elodie kept scribbling in her notebook, not even ncing up. "No. Never."


    She was just being honest.


    Other women''s attentive boyfriends her own ex-husband had always been cold and distant. The difference was simply in the person.


    Alexander gave a theatrical sigh and patted her shoulder. "Look at you, Elodie. You''ve grown up. To celebrate you finally kicking that hopeless romantic phase, dinner''s on me tonight."


    Elodie shot him a teasing look. "Are you ever going to stop with the jabs?"


    Their easy banter and rxed atmosphere made it clear they were close friends.


    Joseph couldn''t help watching them for a moment longer, then let his gaze drift to Jarrod, who stood at the edge of the group, head bent in quiet conversation with Sylvie.


    He seemedpletely uninterested in anything happening on Elodie''s side, utterly unconcerned with how close she and Alexander appeared.


    "Everyone, let''s all take a seat over here and share some thoughts on today''s tour," Patrick called out, stepping in to get everyone organized.


    One by one, the group gathered.


    Elodie felt she''d gained a lot today, her mind buzzing with new ideas. She jotted them down in her notebook as she walked.


    Alexander caught a glimpse of what Elodie was writing and couldn''t hide his shock. If anyone else saw those notes, it would be a disaster-core technical secrets, the kind of thing that would have every major corporation wing for a copy. Elodie''s ability to connect the dots was almost frightening.


    No wonder his old man still couldn''t let her go after all these years.


    Grady had also noticed Elodie scribbling away and whispered to those nearby, "If you didn''t know better, you''d think she was the technical director around here, the way she''s always so eager to learn."


    Sylvie caught sight of Elodie''s notebook and let out a soft, silentugh. She understood Grady''s implication-Elodie was "putting on a show."


    "I learned a lot today," Grady said as he approached, "but I''m even more curious about this—U.N2''s developer has never been publicly identified. Are they from the institute too? Maybe... it''s Dr. Charles?"


    Naylor and the others turned to Patrick, intrigued.


    Jarrod''s expression didn''t change, but he cast a cool nce in Alexander''s direction. Alexander had already made it clearst time that he wasn''t the U.N2 developer, and no new rumors had surfaced since.


    "May I be so bold as to ask if it''s possible to meet this teacher?" Sylvie looked sincerely at Patrick. "I''d love to exchange some ideas."


    With another five years, she might well reach that level herself.


    Sylvie''s question drew everyone''s attention.


    Naylor chimed in, "Could you introduce us?"


    His father worked in the military, but never let slip a single detail, so he waspletely in the dark.


    Patrick smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I''m afraid that''s not possible at the moment..."


    "Why not?" Sylvie frowned, puzzled.


    Elodie''s expression didn''t change-she was cool as ever.


    Patrick cleared his throat and said, "Researchers-especially the brilliant ones— tend to be reclusive. Maybe, when the time is right, you''ll meet by chance."


    The non-disclosure agreement was still in effect, after all.


    And besides...


    "Maybe this person simply has no interest in meeting you all." Alexander drawled, speaking Patrick''s thoughts aloud. He wore a half-smile, as if joking, but clearly meant every word.


    Who were they, after all? Elodie had no reason to entertain them.


    Sylvie''s face darkened, surprised that this mysterious expert was even more aloof than Dr. Charles. She''d met Dr. Charles-why should this person be any different?


    Still, she wouldn''t push it. When she felt like it, Jarrod would make the arrangements for her. Who would ever refuse Jarrod?


    Sylvieposed herself and stopped asking questions. She looked up at Jarrod, meeting his gaze across the room, the two of them lost in their own world.


    Elodie stood directly opposite, impossible not to notice. Yet she simply looked away, unbothered.


    Joseph, Naylor, and the others took Patrick''s response in stride. For top-tier geniuses, a touch of arrogance was only natural.


    "This is just one of the exhibition halls," Patrick announced. "There are two more campuses to see. Once we''ve finished, I''ll share some policy directions for theing year. You might find them enlightening." He signaled for the staff to bring the cars around.


    The next campus was a fair distance away, so they''d have to drive.


    Alexander and Patrick moved aside to discuss the details.


    Elodie decided to head out and wait in the car.


    A fewpany vehicles were already parked at the entrance. She scanned the row and chose the closest one.


    As Elodie opened the door, she was startled to find Jarrod sitting inside, elegant andposed, turning to look at her.


    His eyes locked on her as he spoke into hisptop, clearly in a video call. The moment he saw her, he said, "Let''s pause for now-someone just arrived." Elodie understood immediately. He must have been discussing confidential Silverstein Group business, not wanting her to overhear.


    She nodded politely, making it clear she had no intention of sharing a car with him, and turned to leave.


    But before she could step away, the sharp click of heels sounded beside her. Sylvie strolled over, nced at Elodie with a cool, proud smile, and said in a gentle but unmistakably superior tone:


    "Ms. Thorne, would you mind? This seat''s reserved for me."