She simply thought that his affairs had nothing to do with her.


    Some things were better kept to oneself, she believed.


    Esmeralda looked surprised for a moment, but soon found herself swept up by Elodie''s easygoingposure.


    She nodded in agreement. "True. For most adults, dignity is just silence and indifference."


    Elodie nced at her watch.


    "Wasn''t your interview with Nexus Analytics scheduled for ten?" she asked.


    Esmeralda nodded. "Yeah, Alex asked me to go with you."


    Elodie didn''t give it much thought and stood up. "Let''s head over now and try to wrap things up early."


    There was still a mountain of work left for the project, and every step needed careful oversight.


    They arrived at the Nexus Analytics Building.


    Waiting to greet them was Jason, whom they''d met before.


    With a cheerful grin, Jason led them into the lounge and called for some tea. "Ms. Mercer, Ms. Thorne-good to see you both again. Why don''t you have some tea while we wait, and we''ll get started soon?"


    Esmeralda looked puzzled. "No need, let''s get straight to the point. No sense wasting time."


    She wanted to finish up quickly and head out to lunch with Elodie.


    Jason hesitated, forcing a smile. "I''m really sorry, but there''s a bit of a situation. You probably know Ms. Fielding is heading this project now. She''s still over at The Silverstein Group, in a meeting with Mr. Silverstein. I''m afraid we''ll have to wait a little while."


    Elodie finally looked up, her eyes cool and clear.


    This meeting had been set yesterday.


    And now they were being kept waiting?


    Straightforward as always, Esmeralda chuckled. "Jason, I have to ask-you''ve been with Nexus Analytics for ages. Thepany is filled with seasoned pros like you. Howe everyone''s so willing to let a young neer swoop in and take charge of such a big project?"


    No objections at all?


    No matter how talented Sylvie was, her experience still couldn''tpare to veterans like Jason.


    Jason caught her meaning and waved his hand dismissively. "It''s not an issue."


    "Mr. Silverstein thought this through. He knew that putting Ms. Fielding in charge might ruffle feathers, so he made it clear from the start: once the project wraps up, everyone who''s worked on it gets the same recognition and bonuses as a lead. That way, nobody loses out."


    "And for Ms. Fielding, it''s a chance to really shine. Everyone wins."


    With terms like that, who''din about Sylvie taking the lead? That''s just how the corporate world works-learn to be flexible. Elodie lowered her eyes, but couldn''t help a faint, sardonic smile. She''d never realized Jarrod would go to such lengths for a woman.


    He''d given Sylvie every opportunity to prove herself-while also smoothing things over with the old guard.


    No one would dare question Sylvie''s role now; there was nothing anyone could say behind her back.


    "Your Mr. Silverstein is quite the strategist," Esmeralda remarked with a cold smile.


    It was obvious Jarrod wanted Sylvie seated at the top of Nexus Analytics.


    Jason, oblivious, just grinned. "That''s just how it is. Everybody knows Ms. Fielding and Mr. Silverstein are together. She''s practically being treated as the future Mrs. Silverstein. Of course we''ll cooperate."


    Esmeralda gritted her teeth, about to retort.


    Elodie calmly pressed a hand over hers under the table.


    She shook her head, quietly.


    -The project mattered more.


    Esmeralda just bit her tongue and muttered "homewrecker" under her breath.


    At that moment, the lounge door swung open and Sylvie strode in, heels clicking against the floor.


    Her expression wasposed and poised, perfectly framed by a tailored designer suit that gave her a real air of executive authority.


    "Ms. Mercer, sorry to keep you waiting."