So much so.


    Now that Elodie could effortlessly dine with the professor thanks to Alexander, she couldn''t help feeling a little contemptuous.


    "I just saw Elodie giving the professor a gift," Sylvie remarked casually as she took her seat.


    "A gift?" Maurice chuckled. "What good will that do her? That''s like handing a Harvard eptance letter to someone who can barely read. Even if she''s given the chance, what''s the point? It''s wasted on her."


    A housewife, after all.


    Just a college graduate, and her only way to meet the professor was through Alexander, who was clearly blinded by infatuation.


    Even if Alexander wanted to make Elodie look good, didn''t she need some real ability of her own?


    Sylvie nced at Maurice, amused. "You don''t mince words, do you?"


    Maurice shrugged. "The truth stings."


    He turned to Jarrod. "So, Jarrod, what do you think Alexander''s up to? Bringing Elodie to meet his father-could it be they''ve been together much longer than we thought?"


    "No," Jarrod replied unhurriedly, dismissing Maurice''s guess.


    Sylvie watched him, searching for any flicker of emotion.


    Luckily, there was none.


    He waspletely indifferent.


    Bute to think of it, with a family like Alexander''s-everyone a heavyweight in national research-how could they ever approve of someone with Elodie''s background and education?


    Jarrod''s expression remained cool as he sipped his coffee. "VistaLink


    Technologies is about tounch a new project. Has anyone considered that''s why Alexander''s father is getting involved?"


    Joseph finally chimed in. "VistaLink''s past projects never had this much fanfare. Either this one has the professor''s direct guidance, or it''s been gged as a government priority."


    Sylvie''s face grew serious. "So you''re saying the professor might be secretly driving this project?"


    Joseph just said, "Hard to say."


    He sounded uncertain, but inside, he was anything but calm.


    If Professor Charlie really was backing this, it would be the hottest opportunity in the industry-a window you didn''t want to miss.


    Joseph nced over at Jarrod, who hadn''t lost hisposure for even a second.


    Then, almost abruptly, he asked, "Have you set a date for finalizing the divorce papers?"


    The question hung in the air.


    Sylvie turned to look at Jarrod too.


    He lifted his eyes slightly. "About a month from now. Why?"


    Joseph leaned back in his chair, spinning his phone in his hand. "No reason. Just seems like it''s been dragging on."


    Meanwhile, Elodie was having a perfectly pleasant time.


    Beforeing, she''d gone out of her way to buy some of the professor''s favorite pastries, which put him in a great mood.


    She and Alexander talked with him about the technical breakthroughs in VistaLink Technologies'' uing project.


    Charlie adjusted his sses, then nodded approvingly. "You know, your mind really shines in this area. If you put half the energy into your work that you spend on romance, you''d be famous worldwide by now."


    Elodie couldn''t really argue with that.


    Alexander speared some food with his fork and said, "Don''t listen to him, Elodie. If you poured everything into your career-never married, never had kids-your grandma would probablye after him with a rolling pin."


    "Elodie''s nothing like you. She has vision. At least she''s lived a little-who wants


    to end up like you, a lifelong bachelor with nothing to show for it?" Charlie retorted with a snort.


    Alexander fell silent.


    Fine. He''d better keep his head down.


    Elodie just smiled quietly.


    Charlie turned to her again. "By the way, will you be listed as project lead on this one?"


    It was a real question.


    After all, Elodie had been hands-on through every phase of the development, carrying the whole project on her shoulders.


    But putting her name on it would mean openly dering she was the core of VistaLink Technologies.


    And the confidentiality agreement hadn''t expired yet.


    There were a lot ofplications.


    "Of course she should be listed. She''s the main force behind it—why should everyone else get credit while she''s left out?" Alexander said without hesitation.


    Good. Let the world see just how talented Elodie was.


    Not that Elodie seemed to care much.


    She looked down, thought for a moment, and then, taking a deep breath, suddenly said, "Professor, I''d like to apply for your graduate program. Is it... still possible?"