Elodie paused mid-stride. "Where is he?"


    Could it be that things at Neural Intelligence had already wrapped up?


    Her assistant replied, "He''s gone to see the Professor. Said they had an appointment this afternoon."


    A few people were still lingering at the venue. As the main organizer today, Esmeralda was overseeing the event and had already seen off several industry colleagues who''d dropped by.


    Elodie nodded. "Alright, I''ll go check in."


    She couldn''t imagine why Jarrod would show up at VistaLink Technologies'' productunch-certainly not to cheer them on. After all, Neural Intelligence was hosting a major event of their own today. If he wasn''t at Neural Intelligence, how could he possibly represent them?


    With suspicion prickling at her, Elodie headed for the elevator.


    When the doors slid open, she found Charlie and Jarrod already inside.


    Jarrod nced over, his expression steady and unruffled. "Congrattions," he said.


    It was impossible to tell if he meant theunch itself or something else entirely.


    Elodie looked away, offering no response. Instead, she turned her attention to Charlie.


    Hands sped behind his back, Charlie met her gaze, clearly pleased that Elodie wasn''t flustered by her ex-husband''s presence. Stayingposed was the only way to get through the day.


    He said, "I''ll be talking business with Mr. Silverstein in a bit. Why don''t you and Alexander wait for me when I''m done?"


    Elodie blinked in surprise.


    The Professor wanted her to join... for business talks?


    Honestly, she couldn''t care less about whatever Jarrod wanted to discuss. She leaned closer to Charlie and murmured, "Are you sure that''s appropriate?"


    Jarrod''s brows remained rxed. Catching her words, he offered a faint smile. "There''s nothing inappropriate about it. Come along."


    He certainly didn''t mind Elodie tagging along.


    She couldn''t help but look at him directly, and in that moment, she realized Jarrod hadn''te for theunch at all. He was here for the Professor. Given the timing, she instantly guessed he was here about Sylvie.


    He must have already heard that the Professor had taken Sylvie under his wing.


    Outside, a handful ofpany executives from out of town were still waiting for their rides.


    They greeted Charlie enthusiastically, then turned curious eyes to Jarrod and Elodie as they walked out together.


    The two didn''t exchange a single nce-an invisible line drawn between them. Yet, standing at Charlie''s side, one to his left and one to his right, they didn''t look like strangers either.


    A few of the execs seemed surprised. One, a silver-haired gentleman, couldn''t help but ask, "Are Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Thorne a couple?"


    Elodie''s brows drew together ever so slightly.


    She wasn''t thrilled by the question, but she understood these people were visitors to Eldermere and wouldn''t know the local gossip.


    Someone else chimed in, "You two do make a striking pair, though!"


    Charlie''s brow furrowed at that.


    A striking pair? He thought, You''d need a new prescription for your sses to see that.


    "You''re mistaken. We barely know each other," Elodie replied coolly, nipping the spection in the bud.


    The others looked taken aback.


    Jarrod finally nced at her, then nodded with unhurried calm. "We''re definitely not a couple," he confirmed.


    Only then did the group look sheepish.


    After all, when they saw the two emerge earlier, Mr. Silverstein had held the door for Ms. Thorne like a gentleman. She, however, hadn''t spared him so much as a nce or a polite "thank you." It looked less like romance and more like two people too familiar to bother with niceties.


    They''d clearly read too much into it.


    With the awkwardness dispelled, the group moved on, hurrying to catch their flights as Elodie arranged transportation for them.


    Once the cars pulled away, Elodie felt someone''s gaze from across the parking lot.


    She looked up and spotted Sylvie, standing a short distance away, her expression edged with displeasure.


    No doubt she''d overheard the "couple" banter from the executives. Still, Jarrod''s clear denial seemed to have eased her mood.


    Elodie couldn''t care less what Sylvie thought.


    Sylvie approached. Jarrod asked, "Professor, shall we find somewhere quiet to talk?"


    Charlie nced at Sylvie. "No need. Whatever it is, say it here."


    A sh of surprise crossed Sylvie''s face.


    Here? Out in the open, in front of everyone?


    She felt a twinge of difort but had no choice but to stay put.