Elodie nced at him. "Mr. Haywood."


    Haywood offered a quick smile and, taking the opportunity, asked her a question about digital flight control systems.


    Elodie considered for a moment, then rmended a book. "You might want to check this out. I think you''ll find it useful."


    Haywood stared at her in surprise.


    That book was an infamously dense academic tome-had Ms. Thorne actually read it cover to cover?


    He was about to ask, but just then Sylvie approached. "Mr. Haywood, sorry I didn''t greet you earlier-I was tied up."


    Haywood turned to her. "Ms. Fielding."


    Sylvie had visited The Dcroix Group before, along with Mr. Nilsson and the others, so Haywood recognized her from previous meetings.


    Elodie, meanwhile, didn''t spare Sylvie a nce. She finished her notes, pen moving steadily across the page.


    Sylvie didn''t acknowledge Elodie either and just asked Haywood, "Do you know what time Joseph''s getting in today?"


    Haywood replied, "Mr. ck told me yesterday that Mr. Dcroix should be here before tonight. Did you need something, Ms. Fielding?"


    Sylvie smiled lightly, "Yeah, I made dinner ns with Jarrod and the others for tonight. His phone''s off, so I assume he''s on his way."


    Elodie had no interest in their conversation and drifted away with the rest of the group, tuning in to a presentation on new international technologies.


    Sylvie watched Elodie leave, then turned thoughtfully to Haywood. "So, what were you talking about with her?"


    She hadn''t missed the unusually animated look on Haywood''s face just a minute ago.


    Haywood hesitated, a bit enthusiastic. "I asked Ms. Thorne a couple of questions, and she "


    "I see." Sylvie cut him off, not bothering to hide her skepticism. "Well, Mr. Haywood, I''ll be heading over."


    Asked for advice? She didn''t buy it for a second.


    If anything, Haywood was probably just trying to impress her. Sylvie didn''t care to hear any more.


    Haywood was left puzzled by her attitude, but he didn''t dwell on it. He couldn''t help but nce after Elodie as she walked away.


    If only they had someone like her at theirpany...


    That evening, Elodie received a call from Rosemary.


    She''d heard Elodie was in Goldspire, and asked if she could pick up some hard- to-find targeted medication for Emile Thorne. It was a lot easier to buy imported meds here.


    Elodie agreed right away.


    She let Alexander know where she was going, then headed down to the hotel lobby.


    By chance, she ran into Jarrod, who was outside on a call.


    He had one hand in his pocket,shes shadowing his eyes, his gaze quickly locking onto Elodie.


    He watched her hurry toward the exit.


    Jarrod finished giving instructions to the person on the other end, hung up, and turned to her, voice low and steady. "Where are you headed?"


    "I''ll have someone drive you."


    Elodie pulled her coat tighter and replied coolly, "It''s nothing to do with you, Mr. Silverstein."


    Jarrod lifted an eyebrow, his dark eyes following her retreating figure.


    She turned him down, crisp and cold-wasting not a single word.


    He stood there for a moment, lost in thought, until Sylvie called. Only then did he


    turn and head back inside. "Yeah, I''ming up now."


    Elodie tried to hail a cab.


    Only then did she realize how hard it was to get a ride here.


    She waited nearly twenty minutes without luck.


    She was just about to ask the front desk for help when a ck SUV pulled up. Joseph was in the driver''s seat.


    Elodie recalled Haywood mentioning that Joseph would be arriving in Goldspire that evening.


    He looked over at her, his voice gentle. "You won''t get a cab here."


    After a pause, he cleared his throat. "I''m heading out anyway. Let me give you a lift."


    Elodie hesitated. She was already short on time-the hospital would close soon.


    In the end, she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Dcroix."


    A faint smile yed on Joseph''s lips.


    Once she got in, Elodie gave him the hospital''s address and fell silent.


    Joseph turned up the heat a bit, then spoke. "I talked with my doctor friend. He said he can meet with you on the twentieth."


    Elodie hadn''t expected him to actually pull it off.


    "...Thank you." She gave a small nod. "If you ever need anything, just ask."


    She wasn''t one to leave debts unpaid.


    Joseph tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "No need to mention it."


    Elodie didn''t say another word.


    Maybe it was the smooth drive, but she started to feel drowsy.


    Joseph nced at her out of the corner of his eye-her profile serene and pale,


    the faintest hint of color on her lips, reminding him of spring camellias.


    He blinked, his throat tightening for no reason.


    A sudden vibration from his phone snapped him out of it.


    Joseph quicklyposed himself, rubbing his brow before checking the screen.


    -Jarrod.


    He held the phone, expression unchanged.


    Then, without hesitation, he declined the call.