Elodie had always known the olddy was fond of her cooking.


    After simmering the soup to perfection, she sat with the old woman as they ate and chatted for a while. When they finished, the olddy asked Elodie to fetch a gift from the bedroom she and Jarrod used to share.


    As Elodie stepped into the living room, she caught sight of Jarrod at the dining table, finishing off a bowl of soup while scrolling through his iPad. He ate with the same polite restraint as always, not a drop spilled.


    She was surprised to see him back so soon-especially since he''d just had dinner with Sylvie. And yet, he''d polished off the soup she''d just made.


    Hadn''t he already eaten with Sylvie?


    Sensing her gaze, Jarrod finally looked up, unhurried and cool. "Something wrong?"


    He seemed genuinely puzzled by the way she was staring at him.


    Elodie frowned, said nothing, and turned away to fetch the gift the olddy had prepared for her.


    The bedroom was just as she remembered. Even the small personal items she''d left behind were still there.


    The gift was a diamond-studded women''s watch. Elodie recognized the brand- definitely not cheap.


    But it was a token of the old woman''s affection, and Elodie didn''t dwell on it. She simply tucked it away.


    As she stepped out of the bedroom, the door barely open, she heard Jarrod''s low voiceing from the end of the hall. "Yeah, there''s a lot to manage in the early stages."


    "The Fielding family? Her mother put in five million, and with Sylvie''s equity for her tech contributions, they''ve got forty percent. I''ll set aside another twenty percent as an option pool, and I''ll send extra management overter."


    Elodie froze mid-step, surprised.


    Selma had invested that much in Sylvie?


    On second thought, it made sense. Starting apany without any capital investment—even if Sylvie brought in her expertise-would mean her shares would have to be professionally evaluated, and she might not end up with much. Selma had clearly thought it through and wasn''t afraid to make a serious investment.


    Jarrod''s maneuver after the VistaLink Technologies fiasco was more calcted than she''d realized.


    Now Sylvie was in charge, finally sitting at the same table as Alex and the others -a far cry from how things used to be.


    Lost in thought, Elodie didn''t notice Jarrod ending his call and turning toward her, his dark eyes quietly studying her expression.


    He lounged against the wall, rxed. "Heard all that?"


    He meant the phone conversation.


    Elodie lifted her gaze, lips pressed in a neutral line, saying nothing. She didn''t question him, didn''t show curiosity or irritation. Even though she knew Jarrod''s help with the Fielding family''s newpany was a direct move against VistaLink Technologies, she didn''t care to argue about it. What was the point now?


    Instead, she met his eyes. "When the waiting period is over, do you need me to remind you? I''d like to schedule a clear date at city hall."


    She was following up on the only part of the call that hadn''t been addressed. This was important—there was no room for ambiguity.


    Jarrod''s gaze was calm, unreadable. After a pause, he nced at his watch. "Just get in touch with Keith."


    She could tell he was ready to drop the topic, but there was still something she needed rified. "And if Keith doesn''t pick up? What then?"


    It wouldn''t be the first time. Keith was as busy as Jarrod, always juggling work, and more than once he''d ignored her calls.


    She wasn''t about to let things fall through the cracks again.


    Jarrod had just reached her side; at her question, he halted, nced at her sideways, and quirked a brow. "Need my number?"