Jarrod strode in from outside, wrapped in a sleek ck overcoat. His features were sharp and refined, his eyes cool and unreadable as they settled on Elodie.


    There was nothing in his expression that hinted at the usual emotions one might expect before a divorce.


    Behind him trailed Maurice, along with another man whose polished demeanor suggested he was no ordinary guest.


    Maurice pped the man on the shoulder. "Cousin, I''ll leave the rest to you. Make sure you go over the divorce terms with Jarrod."


    The moment Maurice heard that Jarrod wanted a divorce, he''d immediately contacted his cousin awyer renowned for securing the best oues in divorce and asset division cases. In Maurice''s mind, after all the years Elodie had clung to Jarrod, she''d surely ask for the moon now that the marriage was ending. So, he''d called his cousin in, hoping to rein in any outrageous demands she might make.


    She''d been scheming from the very start. If she wanted a divorce now, she shouldn''t expect to walk away with much.


    The new arrival turned to Elodie, giving a courteous nod. "Ms. Thorne, good afternoon. I''m Albin, Mr. Silverstein''s attorney."


    Elodie returned his greeting with a polite nod.


    At her side, her own attorney, Baxter, stood up in surprise when he recognized the man. "Albin, it''s been a long time."


    Albin acknowledged him with a brief smile. The two were old acquaintances from the legal circuit.


    Elodie nced at Baxter, who leaned over to quietly exin, "Albin was my mentor back inw school. He runs his own firm now. Usually handles high-stakes financial cases, so... this might not be easy."


    Elodie understood immediately. When Baxter said "not easy," what he really


    meant was negotiations would be tough.


    But she couldn''t quite figure out why Jarrod, whosepany had ess to some


    of the most formidablewyers around, would turn to Albin for this. She only wanted the ring; with Albin on Jarrod''s side, Baxter might not be able to win her much at all.


    It didn''t add up. She hadn''t asked for anything in the agreement.


    So why had Jarrod brought in a heavy-hittingwyer on the very day they were filing for divorce? Did he think there was some loophole in her proposal? Was he worried she''d try to pull a fast one?


    He was... protecting himself from her.


    Jarrod sat down across from Elodie as Albin retrieved a file from his briefcase and slid it across the table to her.


    Jarrod''s tone was calm, almost detached. "Take a look. If there''s anything else you want, we can add it in."


    Maurice blinked in confusion and leaned over. "When did you prepare a divorce agreement? Weren''t we supposed to negotiate here?"


    Jarrod didn''t answer.


    Elodie opened the file and began to read.


    It was a brand new agreement.


    Her brow furrowed as she skimmed the contents-not because the terms were harsh, but because...


    Jarrod was offering far too much.


    ording to the agreement, she''d receive ten primemercial properties in Eldermere''s most sought-after district, a divorce settlement of a hundred million dors, and their marital home-worth over fifty million-outright, all transferred to her name.


    All told, she was looking at nearly two hundred million.


    But one detail caught her eye: the properties and house would be transferred immediately, but the cash settlement would be paid out over three years instead of all at once.


    She couldn''t understand why Jarrod had structured it this way.


    Elodie looked up at him. He met her gaze with a cid expression. "Is there anything you''re unhappy with?"


    Was he saying... she could negotiate for more?


    Maurice noticed the same thing and shot Jarrod a baffled look, lowering his voice. "Is this really necessary? After everything she pulled to get you to marry her, why are you making things so easy for her now?"


    He''d gone to all the trouble of bringing in his cousin, and now it seemed pointless.


    Regardless of whether Jarrod was at fault in the marriage, he could have easily ensured Elodie walked away with nothing.


    After all, with only a college degree and three years as a homemaker on her résumé, how well could Elodie really do on her own? Alexander wasn''t likely to stick around for long. Without real skills, even holding down a job as an assistant wouldn''t be easy for her.


    Soon enough, she''d learn-without Jarrod, she was nothing.


    But Jarrod''s expression was unreadable. He offered no response to Maurice''sints.


    Elodie, still frowning, couldn''t understand Jarrod''s intentions. She''d pped Sylvie and stormed off to city hall, provoking him-by all rights, he should''ve used this as an opportunity to put her in her ce.


    Instead, he was handing her financial freedom for the rest of her life.


    Was this...pensation?


    Her expression unchanged, Elodie asked a single question. "When will the house


    be transferred to my name?"


    "As soon as the paperwork''s finalized."


    "All right. I understand." Her tone was even, almost indifferent, as she nodded.