"I''m headed that way too. Want to go together?" Joseph hesitated for a moment before finally asking.


    Elodie paused, weighing her options.


    She spotted the shuttle Joseph had arranged pulling up to the curb and decided not to refuse his offer.


    "Sure," she said, stepping onto the shuttle ahead of him.


    Joseph watched her board, then nced down at his phone.


    After a moment''s thought, he chose not to sit beside her, instead sliding into the row behind. He knew Elodie was someone who valued her personal space, and he didn''t want to make her ufortable.


    Elodie knew it would take a few more minutes to reach the main conference venue. She turned around in her seat to face Joseph. "Can I ask-has Mr. Warwick started at the hospital yet?"


    Joseph hadn''t expected her to strike up a conversation. He was silent for a few seconds, then cleared his throat and nodded. "He should be there by now. If you visit Mr. Thorne next time, you''ll probably run into him."


    Elodie nodded thoughtfully. She made a mental note to swing by the hospital in the next couple of days. If she happened to run into Mr. Warwick, maybe she could discuss some ideas for the treatment n with him.


    The conversation fizzled out, and silence settled in again until they arrived at their destination.


    Elodie got off the shuttle and was about to head inside when Joseph called after her, "Ms. Thorne, wait a moment."


    She turned to look at him.


    A staff member approached, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Joseph epted the bouquet and walked over to her, his handsome face open and sincere. "Congrattions on the sessfulunch of the VistaLink Technologies project. These are from... well, from the resort. We hope VistaLink Technologies continues to thrive."


    It was only then that Elodie nced down at the bouquet he offered her-a striking arrangement of blue tulips, carefully arranged and beautifully vibrant.


    She hesitated, puzzled. "Does the resort always do this?"


    After all, Nexus Analytics had reserved the entire ce for the celebration. Maybe this was just part of the festivities, and the flowers were simply one more detail arranged by the staff.


    Joseph took in her elegant, fair features and felt a subtle tightness in his chest. He replied quietly, "Yes. I hope you like them."


    Given the asion, it was hardly surprising that the resort would have a gesture like this. Elodie epted the bouquet, her tone cool but polite. "Thank you."


    With that, she cradled the flowers in her arms and walked inside.


    Joseph lingered for a while, watching her retreating figure. Only after a moment did a faint smile tug at his lips.


    Not far away, Sylvie had just gotten out of her car in time to catch the scene. It looked like Joseph was staring after Elodie as she walked away.


    She strolled over and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "What are you thinking about?"


    Joseph snapped out of his reverie, nced down, and, realizing it was her, quickly looked away. "Nothing. Have Jarrod and the others arrived?"


    Sylvie nodded. "They''re waiting inside."


    She hesitated, then asked, "Did youe with Elodie just now?"


    Joseph''s expression didn''t change. "We just ran into each other."


    Sylvie paused, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Then what''s with the flowers Elodie was carrying?"


    Who gives someone a bouquet out of the blue at a time like this? And Elodie had just been with Joseph...


    This time, Joseph met her gaze, his tone even. "That''s Elodie''s business."


    With that, he strode off toward the entrance.


    Sylvie watched him go, a strange feeling gnawing at her. She couldn''t quite put her finger on what was different about himtely-especially since he''d been distant, almost as if he were deliberately keeping his distance.


    Was it because of Jarrod...?