Naylor''s voice was barely more than a whisper, his eyes trembling with shock.


    He never imagined Watts would openly admit he had feelings for Elodie.


    He couldn''t even fathom when Watts and Elodie had gotten so close. How had this happened?


    Watts studied Naylor for a moment, a shadow flickering in his gaze before his brow furrowed. "What did you just say?"


    Naylor took a steadying breath.


    He''d known Watts for years their fathers were on good terms. They weren''t exactly close themselves, but in a moment like this, Naylor felt he owed Watts the truth, no matter how brutal.


    "Elodie is married, Watts! She has a husband. How could you fall for her? Hasn''t she told you? Is she stringing you along?"


    The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Naylor suddenly found Elodie''s behavior downright hical.


    Watts''s expression turned cold. It was a long time before he replied, "She''s not stringing me along. She doesn''t even know I like her. Don''t me her for this."


    But the fact Elodie was married...


    "You really are protective of her," Naylor said, his expression conflicted.


    Watts was clearly surprised that Naylor had brought this up at all. After a moment''s thought, he asked, "How do you know? Who''s her husband?"


    Naylor was at a loss for words. If he knew that, wouldn''t he have said so already?


    The whole thing left him baffled.


    And to make matters worse, his father refused to give him any details.


    Just said he knew the guy.


    But he knew a lot of people! Was he supposed to round them all up and interrogate each of them?


    "Anyway, it''s a fact. You should give up now. Elodie isn''t right for you. With what you have going for you, you could do so much better." Naylor shook his head in disbelief.


    Watts didn''t answer, his eyes dark as he sank into thought.


    After a long pause, he finally said, "I hope you''re not just repeating rumors. Whether it''s true or not, I''ll find out for myself."


    Naylor was even more bewildered. Watts wasn''t giving up?


    "What do you even see in her? From what I''ve heard, she''s far from perfect."


    At least when it came to rtionships, Elodie probably wasn''t a good fit for someone like Watts.


    Watts shot him a sidelong nce. "If you already have something against her, nothing I say will change your mind. You''ll just think I''m trying to convince you of something that isn''t there. Maybe you should just set your bias aside and see for yourself."


    Naylor fell silent, frowning as he mulled it over.


    Elodie had no idea any of this was going on.


    The event hosted by Eldrion Global had been well worth her time, and as she turned to leave-


    She spotted Jarrod across the room, deep in conversation.


    She didn''t give it a second thought, treating him like any other stranger as she walked past, her gaze set on Alexander across the way.


    But just as she approached, she overheard a group of executives with Jarrod ask, "Mr. Silverstein, is it true there have been some changes at Nexus Analytics? We''ve been hearing rumors."


    Jarrod didn''t hesitate. He turned slightly, lowering his gaze to Elodie as she happened to walk by. "Let me introduce you. This is Ms. Thorne from Nexus Analytics, Elodie."


    Elodie was caughtpletely off guard, feeling the eyes of several prominent businessmen from out of state settle on her. "Ms. Thorne?"


    She had no choice but to stop and turn to face them.


    Her eyes met Jarrod''s calm, steady gaze.


    Quickly regaining herposure, Elodie nodded politely to the group. "Hello, it''s a pleasure to meet you."


    Now that she was standing beside


    him, Jarrod shifted slightly and looked down at her, speaking in a measured tone. “This is Mr. Dale from Pyralis Innovations, and this is Mr. Gray from Fairview


    Crossing-both are trusted partners of Nexus Analytics."


    Elodie recognized the names from Nexus Analytics'' list of coborators.


    They were some of the most influential entrepreneurs in the country.


    She hadn''t met them before, so she didn''t recognize them at first nce.


    But with Nexus Analytics under new leadership, it was crucial to build strong rtionships with partners like these. Now was the perfect opportunity.


    She offered her hand, shaking each of theirs in turn. "I''ve heard so much about you. It''s an honor to finally meet."


    Events like this at Eldrion Global were rare and valuable. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have had the chance to meet these industry leaders.


    After all, the change in leadership at Nexus Analytics was no small matter. Somepanies preferred to follow the person at the helm, and with their trust in Jarrod, there was a real risk they might end their partnership and follow him


    elsewhere. Even though Jarrod had transferred all of Nexus Analytics'' resources and contacts to her, maintaining those rtionships was essential-and entirely up to her now.