Alexander''s expression grew ice-cold. "Looks like Jarrod''s going to cover your penalty fee now. No wonder you''re suddenly so bold."


    He wasn''t the least bit concerned that Seymour might leak any of VistaLink Technologies'' project secrets.


    Because-


    The real core technology from theirst project was all with Elodie.


    Only the key members knew that. The others werepletely in the dark.


    Seymour unclipped his staff badge. "I just want a better opportunity. I hope you all can understand."


    Who wouldn''t want a stake in thepany?


    VistaLink Technologies didn''t have much backing; it was basically a solo venture. Seymour was eager to follow Ms. Fielding, who could offer a much bigger stage.


    Alexander didn''t try to stop him. He just gave Seymour a cold, mocking smile, as if watching a fool.


    Everyone knew Elodie was brilliant, but they assumed she was on her own. In reality, she had the highest-level connections-just her U.N2 clearance was enough to open any door.


    Her most ssified role hadn''t even been revealed yet.


    Those scrambling to choose sides had already lost.


    Elodie sat quietly, deep in thought.


    Seymour was talented, sure, but VistaLink Technologies was hardly starved for talent.


    Jarrod knew it too-poaching one or two people wouldn''t destabilize thepany. He wasn''t trying to tear VistaLink Technologies apart; he just wanted to nt a subtle thorn in their side.


    Annoying, certainly.


    And if it ever came up, people would simply say Seymour left of his own ord to explore Neural Intelligence. Even if they ran into Jarrodter, there''d be no grounds for confrontation.


    Fortunately, the team at VistaLink Technologies remained steady. Only Seymour jumped ship.


    The other core members were unwavering. Most geniuses had both pride and professional ethics. After a quick word of reassurance from Alexander, the team wasn''t shaken.


    People who want to leave can''t be stopped, and Elodie didn''t waste energy over it.


    Around noon, Elodie''s phone buzzed with a message from Charlie: [There''s a director here who wants to meet you. When might you be free?]


    Military? Elodie wondered.


    She figured she needed to finish sorting out the staff situation with Alexander first.


    And she''d just discussed the new energy project with him that morning-these next couple of days would be packed.


    After a moment, she replied: [Next week. Anytime after Tuesday works.]


    Charlie: [Don''t forget your reading. I sent you a new assignment. Come see me when you''re done.]


    Elodie: "..."


    Some days she felt like a spinning top.


    The professor just liked to prod her every now and then.


    After replying, Elodie stared at her phone, remembering she hadn''t told her grandmother about the new number. With the confidentiality agreement she''d signed, it seemed careless not to mention it.


    Without overthinking, she dialed her grandmother directly.


    The voice on the other end answered, "Who is this?"


    “Grandma, it''s me,” Elodie said gently. “This is my new number. You can save it—l won''t be using the old one anymore."


    Her grandmother sounded surprised. "Why the sudden change?"


    Elodie made up a quick excuse. "Work stuff."


    Her grandmother didn''t press. She just responded kindly, "Alright. I''m at the hospital visiting Jarrod—he''s right here. Want to say a few words to him?"


    Elodie hadn''t expected Jarrod to be there.


    She immediately thought of the poaching incident, and her eyes hardened just a


    bit.


    She frowned and answered, "No need, Grandma."


    But before she could hang up, she heard Jarrod''s calm, distant voice on the line: "Are you free toe to the hospital today?"