Selma still couldn''t shake off the heavy feeling in her chest.


    "Elodie must be riding high after this, but honestly, does she really think she has what it takes to run apany as massive as Nexus Analytics? She''s dreaming. Give it a little time—she''ll run it into the ground before long!"


    Sylvie frowned, tacitly agreeing.


    Judging by the fact that Elodie had cut ties with her the moment she took office, it was clear the woman wasn''t exactly rational or cut out for big things.


    "In a few months, when my art show opens, it''ll be a grand affair. The Thorne family will be seething with envy."


    Sylvie barely reacted to the news about the art show, her mind elsewhere. "Don''t worry. Jarrod will help me. I''m meeting someone in a couple of days."


    For the past few days, clients had been streaming in and out of VistaLink Technologies nonstop.


    Elodie barely had a moment to herself.


    She had to up her dose of painkillers just to get through it.


    Her name and VistaLink Technologies-were now known across the country, which, oddly enough, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.


    The sessful coborations brought in more business than ever, easily making up for the losses caused by the recent "giarism" scandal-several times over, in fact.


    Elodie knew thepany''s teams had all worked themselves to the bone.


    Ever since the giarism debacle, everyone had been clocking overtime.


    So, after talking it over with Alexander and Esmeralda, she decided to give everyone a two-day break-a team-building trip set for Goldspire, the ultimate shopping paradise. She even handed out shopping cards for everyone.


    A little reward was overdue.


    And while they were at it, Elodie and Alexander would check out thetest industry exhibition in Goldspire.


    After all, you had to keep your eyes open and stay curious if you wanted to keep growing.


    Once they checked into the hotel, Elodie let everyone n their own itinerary.


    Esmeralda, ever the adventurer, was eager to explore, and Elodie and Alexander were happy to let her wander off shopping while they made their way to the exhibition.


    By the time they finished, it was nearly six in the evening.


    Right on cue, Esmeralda called, "I managed to get us a table at the most famous restaurant in Goldspire. It''s right by Victoria Harbor-the night view is incredible. I''ll send you the location,e quick!"


    Elodie agreed.


    It would take them about half an hour to get there by car.


    But as soon as they arrived and the host started leading them inside, Esmeralda


    rushed out to meet them, looking thoroughly disgruntled.


    "What''s wrong?" Elodie caught her arm and asked softly.


    Esmeralda pouted as soon as she saw them. "Maybe we should go somewhere else?"


    "But you love this ce," Alexander said, peering inside.


    Esmeralda huffed in frustration. "I should''ve checked my horoscope before?eaving the house! There are people in there who could run


    anyone''s appetite."  fo


    Through the smoky ss, Elodie could already see the group seated by the floor- to-ceiling windows.


    Almost all of them...


    Were familiar faces.


    Jarrod and Sylvie sat to one side.


    Across from them was the elegant Lucinda Howard, and at the head of the table sat an elderly


    UT


    gentleman-his hair snowy white, but his posture still regal, despite being nearly a hundred years old.


    Alexander noticed too, his brows knitting together. "Who are they?"


    Elodie pressed her lips together. "Livingston Howard. Mrs. Silverstein''s grandfather."


    Esmeralda stared, incredulous. "Wait, what? Jarrod brought Sylvie to meet his mother and great-grandfather? Are they actually getting married?"


    Elodie said nothing.


    The Howard family was old money in Goldspire.


    Lucinda was a local, with plenty of businesses in the area.


    And now, of all times-while Sylvie was still mired in scandal-Jarrod brought her


    to meet Lucinda and the family patriarch...


    What exactly was Jarrod nning?


    Even Elodie had to admit, Esmeralda''s theory made a lot of sense.


    Alexander''s face darkened. "Yeah, this is bad luck. Let''s go somewhere else."


    Elodie didn''t object.


    She turned to leave.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jarrod ncing


    over-subtle, but unmistakable. Before she could figure out if he''d


    actually seen her, another person


    strode over to their table.


    When Elodie and Alexander saw who it was, they both paused, surprise flickering


    across their faces.