Even as a few eager guests tried to catch his attention with polite greetings,


    Waldron ignored them all and strode right past, just as brusque and entric as ever, with no patience for superficial niceties.


    He came to a stop in front of their small group.


    Sylvie''s smile brightened, suddenly genuine. "Mr. Ferguson."


    Jarrod inclined his head in greeting.


    Waldron gave a short nod, his gaze flicking to Alexander, then to Elodie standing beside him.


    He''d always respected Alexander-after all, he was the only son of that infamous old man, and his talents were well known even on the international stage.


    As for Elodie...


    Waldron barely spared her a nce before turning to Alexander. "Are you two together now?"


    Back in the day, they had spent so much time working side by side that everyone assumed they''d inevitably be a couple.


    The questionnded out of nowhere.


    Even Jarrod nced at the pair, curious.


    But Waldron didn''t wait for Alexander or Elodie to answer. With his hands sped behind his back, he let out a dry, sardonicugh. "Well, Alexander, your taste in partners leaves something to be desired certainly not as sharp as Mr. Silverstein''s."


    The jab was sharp, and the target obvious.


    Jarrod''s eyes flickered briefly to Elodie''s face. Waldron''s unpredictability—both in action and in word-was legendary.


    Elodie, however, showed no sign of being rattled.


    She understood the subtext at once.


    All these yearster, Mr. Ferguson still hadn''t forgiven her for the choice she made back then.


    Even Sylvie was caught off-guard by Waldron''s bluntness toward Elodie; she kept her expressionposed, but a faint, amused smile crept into her eyes.


    Even Mr. Ferguson believed Elodie couldn''tpare to her.


    It was as if he was dering Elodie unworthy of Alexander-and that she, Sylvie, was the one truly suited for Jarrod.


    "Mr. Ferguson, you''re joking-Ms. Fielding isn''t Mr. Silverstein''s wife," Alexander said mildly. He knew full well how Waldron operated, but couldn''t resist rifying the facts.


    Sylvie shot him a silent look of annoyance. Thatment waspletely unnecessary.


    Waldron, uninterested in further conversation, simply turned away and strode off


    to wherever he was headed.


    But the little drama hadn''t gone unnoticed.


    Not far away, Naylor and Grady had caught every word.


    Naylor watched Waldron''s retreating back. Did that old man know Elodie? His words were awfully pointed.


    Grady sauntered up, giving Elodie a cold once-over before turning to Sylvie and Jarrod. "Mr. Ferguson


    seems to have a good eye. I set


    Ms. Fielding greet him-do you all know each other? He seemed rather friendly."


    Sylvie gave a pleasant, nomittal smile. “Yes, we''re acquainted."


    She didn''t mention that she''d only just met him recently at Goldspire.


    Of course, Jarrod kept his silence, ying the part of the uninvolved bystander.


    Grady looked genuinely surprised. "So Mr. Ferguson''s sudden appearance tonight is it for Ms. Fielding, by any chance?"


    His words immediately drew the attention of those nearby. Heads turned, people murmured.


    Everyone knew what kind of figure Waldron was.


    Years ago, hed withdrawn from public life at the height of his genius-brilliant, vtile, utterly unpredictable. He never attended social gatherings, and though his former students now held key positions across the country, he never granted them special


    treatment. The fact that he''d shown


    up tonight for Sylvie?


    "That''s a bit of an exaggeration," Sylvie replied with a lightugh, offering no


    further exnation.


    But to everyone else, her words sounded like tacit confirmation.


    "So does that mean Mr. Ferguson''s nning to take Ms. Fielding under his wing?" Alexander arched an eyebrow, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.


    Elodie nced at Sylvie, fully aware of her abilities.


    Waldron was picky to the extreme; nothing was ever certain with him.


    Sylvie met Alexander''s gaze. "Mr. Ferguson loves his freedom above all else-taking on a protégé would feel like a shackle to him. It all depends on fate, really. I''m just d I can consult him on professional matters whenever I need to. That''s enough for me."


    Alexander let out a softugh. "I see. Then Ms. Fielding will have to keep working hard."


    Sylvie didn''t take offense; the facts spoke for themselves-she did know Mr. Ferguson, and he hade out of seclusion tonight.


    Alexander figured she''d simply stolen the spotlight from Elodie again, just as she hadtely.


    He didn''t care what Sylvie thought.


    Without another word, he turned to leave, Elodie following in his wake.