Jarrod had clearly anticipated Elodie''s request even before she voiced it.


    He listened to her quietly, waiting a few moments before responding, his tone measured and calm. "Aside from that, you can ask for whatever you want."


    A faint trace of irony curled at the edge of Elodie''s lips. "That''s all I want."


    A silent standoff began, the tension so sharp that it prickled even across the phone line.


    "The painting isn''t in my possession," Jarrod said, his voice steady and unhurried. "And I can say for certain it''s not with Sylvie or her people either. It was never mine to begin with, so I can''t make that call."


    The message was clear.


    Elodie frowned, thinking back. Sylvie had fought her for that painting, making it clear she wanted to buy it back and give it to Selma. So why wouldn''t they have it now? Had they sold it again?


    She knew Jarrod well enough-he could be cold, but he rarely bothered to lie. If he or Sylvie had the painting, he''d simply tell her "no" or "that''s not possible."


    But now, her suspicions undeterred, Elodie pressed on. "Even if you did have it, you''d do whatever you could to protect their reputation."


    Jarrod didn''t respond.


    She hadn''t expected him to.


    After a pause, he finally spoke, his tone almost indifferent. "I can''t promise you that. And you know exactly what Nexus Analytics means for both you and VistaLink Technologies. You''re not going to walk away from it. If you want VistaLink to thrive, you need to strengthen your core tech as soon as possible. Leveraging this opportunity is the smart move. So..."


    "I hope you make the most of it."


    Sometimes Elodie truly couldn''t figure out what went on in Jarrod''s mind.


    She stood silent for a moment, brow furrowed, turning over in her head how to break this impasse.


    Time wasn''t on her side. She needed to seize every opportunity, every opening. Nexus Analytics was the best shot she had.


    As for the painting-she knew the score. Even if she got her hands on it, if Jarrod wanted to protect Selma, he''d find a way to stop her. He''d never let her do anything that might tarnish Sylvie''s image.


    But if it wasn''t with Selma, then


    Elodie might still have a chance to track it down herself. She''d just have to find another way to settle this score in fact, the painting being out of Jarrod and Sylvie''s hands might just be a blessing-it meant fewer obstacles in the open, and more room for her to maneuver.


    Elodie didn''t waste time dwelling on problems she couldn''t solve right away. She cut straight to the point "One more thing. Neural Intelligence needs to issue a public


    ve


    apology-admit fault for everything that''s happened recently. I want a written apology from Sylvie herself


    too."


    "Fine," Jarrod agreed without hesitation this time.


    Elodie had always understood: when you want fifty, ask for a hundred-then settle for fifty, and it''s an easy bargain.


    The painting was a lost cause. Even if Jarrod had it, he''d never hand it over easily. But now, with a public apology from Sylvie on the table, Jarrod had no reason left to shield her.


    She fell silent, mulling over her next move. Jarrod stayed quiet too, as if patiently waiting for her to continue.


    Elodie didn''t bother with pleasantries. She was about to end the call when, just a second before she hit disconnect, Jarrod spoke up. "Next Tuesday,e to The Silverstein Group. You''re needed at the board meeting."


    Elodie paused for a beat.


    Then the line went dead-Jarrod had already hung up.


    She stared at her phone, frowning, almost convinced he could see her through the screen.


    The board meeting was probably to finalize the Nexus Analytics transfer. There had to be some official procedure.


    As for Jarrod handing over Nexus Analytics for nothing-it was just a move to keep the peace. He could easily have protected Sylvie through more forceful means, but he was probably worried that pushing Elodie too far would make her retaliate, publicly exposing Sylvie''s recent scandals and making things worse.


    Elodie had already mapped out her n for the transfer. Dropping thewsuit woulde only after everything was settled.


    The apology came the very next day.


    Neural Intelligence and Sylvie''s culpability in the whole affair wasid out for everyone to see. Elodie didn''t know how Jarrod had convinced Sylvie, but she''d gotten what she wanted there was no point wasting any more energy on it.


    These days, Elodie barely had a moment to herself. Her doctor was urging her to start the next phase of chemotherapy as soon as possible.


    She knew she couldn''t keep dying. If it weren''t for the chaos with Neural Intelligence, she''d have found time to focus on her health already.