Jarrod lowered his gaze to her, gently patting the woman''s back in a gesture of reassurance.


    His open and public disy of support made those around Sylvie regard her with a new sense of caution and respect.


    To be protected so openly by Mr. Silverstein of the Silverstein Group—surely this woman was destined to be Mrs. Silverstein before long.


    The overzealous fan was quickly ushered away.


    Elodie watched themotion with numb detachment as whispers began to ripple through the crowd.


    "Oh my god, Mr. Silverstein is the ultimate protector! So charming!"


    "I''ve heard Ms. Fielding is his girlfriend. Seeing them together, I wouldn''t be surprised if they''re about to announce something big."


    "Not just ''about to''-it''s inevitable. My father told me Ms. Fielding has been making waves in our circlestely. Mr. Silverstein''s been introducing her to all the major yers, bringing her along to every top-level event. He''s basically rolling out the red carpet for her!"


    "That''s what it looks like when you''re proudly acknowledged in public!"


    "Well, you can''t me him-Ms. Fielding is brilliant, a PhD from overseas, insanely capable, and she looks like a movie star. Who wouldn''t fall for her?"


    Elodie ignored the gossip, standing apart as if none of it concerned her. She listened to strangers fawning over her husband''s "love story" with another woman.


    It didn''t matter anymore. She didn''t care.


    Turning away, she made her way back to Alexander, step by step, her expression unreadable.


    Alexander had witnessed the whole scene and caught every word of the crowd''s reaction. He worried Elodie might be hurt-even if she was divorcing, Jarrod had been her husband for three years, and seeing him with another woman so openly seemed unbearably cruel.


    "You okay?" he asked softly.


    Elodie offered him a faint smile.


    She was fine.


    People have to move forward, and she would too. She refused to let herself drown in sorrow or waste her energy on anyone who didn''t deserve it.


    Alexander shot a disapproving look at Jarrod, who was draping his coat over Sylvie''s shoulders.


    What a fool, he thought. Good riddance to that marriage.


    "Let''s not waste another second on people who don''t matter," Alexander said, giving Elodie''s shoulder an encouraging squeeze. "Come on, let''s talk to Mr. Whitaker about the new materials project. I''m sure he''ll be impressed by your insights once he hears them."


    "When our new projectunches, Sylvie won''t even be fit to carry your briefcase!"


    Elodie didn''t respond, but she did agree to meet with Naylor.


    Just then, Naylor and his team started making their way over.


    Alexander led Elodie forward, greeting them with polished ease. "Mr. Whitaker."


    Naylor''s attitude toward Alexander was warm and respectful. "Mr. Sterling, thank you for making time for TerraCore Technologies tonight."


    Alexander waved off the thanks with practiced charm. "You''re too kind, Mr. Whitaker. It''s an honor for VistaLink Technologies to be included."


    Naylor smiled, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.


    "Shall we chat in a bit?"


    Before he could reply, Alexander nudged Elodie forward. "Elodie, I believe you two haven''t been formally introduced? She''s the heart of our technical department


    "That won''t be necessary."


    Alexander paused, surprised.


    Naylor''s gaze shifted to Elodie, the warmth in his expression vanishing. He clearly remembered her recent "snooping" and the less-than-ttering things TerraCore''s executives had reported about her.


    "Apologies, Mr. Sterling," Naylor said curtly, not bothering to hide his disdain. "But I''m not interested in women who spend more time flirting than focusing on their work."