Even Elodie was taken aback by Patricia''s attitude.


    Patricia stood right beside her, regarding Sylvie''s surprised expression with a cool detachment. "These nes represent national honor. Strict standards are only natural. I''ve heard about your exploits, Ms. Fielding, and frankly, I don''t think you''re qualified."


    Patricia''s upbringing meant she never bothered with pleasantries her words were blunt, never sparing anyone''s pride.


    And perhaps it was precisely this background that left Sylvie feeling powerless to fight back, at least with Jarrod nowhere in sight.


    For a moment, Sylvie''s face darkened, her anger barely kept in check. "Miss Aldridge, do you have something against me?"


    Patricia didn''t bother to sugarcoat it. Folding her arms, she looked Sylvie up and down with a cold, dismissive gaze. "Let''s get this straight-it''s not about having something against you. Ms. Fielding, you need to understand, you''re not some universal currency that everyone''s obligated to like. Just because someone doesn''t tter you doesn''t mean they''re prejudiced. I suggest you get your attitude in order before you talk to me."


    Sylvie''s expression soured considerably.


    Patricia turned her attention to Klein. "Mr. Whitaker, skill matters, but so does character. Personally, I believe anyonecking in ethics shouldn''t even be considered."


    Sylvie felt her breath catch.


    She immediately looked to Klein, hoping for some support.


    But Klein wasn''t one to wear his loyalties on his sleeve like these younger people. He would stick to the rules and procedures, no matter what. "We have a fair and transparent evaluation process. That''s how it''ll be handled."


    Patricia just tilted her head and smiled. "d to hear it."


    Then she turned and winked at Elodie. "Don''t worry, I''m keeping an eye on things.


    If she tries to board, I''ll be the first to object."


    Sylvie saw all of this, of course.


    Even with her usualposure, she could feel her cheeks burning. Why did Patricia take such a liking to Elodie? Why go out of her way to make things difficult for Sylvie? And didn''t Patricia care at all about her own brother?


    Sylvie took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Picking a fight with Patricia wouldn''t do her any good-not even Jarrod could smooth everything over if she truly crossed the wrong person. Besides, she didn''t want to be the cause of more trouble for him.


    In the end, Sylvie didn''t get to board the ne.


    She had to give up such a shining opportunity and sent anotherpany engineer to collect the data instead.


    Elodie could see that Sylvie had been thoroughly outmaneuvered. But Sylvie was smart-she knew better than to go head-to-head with Patricia. Besides, she''d been through this before, so it wasn''t as crushing as it might have been. She''d be joining the research ten anyway, so she took it in stride.


    When everything wrapped up, Patricia and Elodie walked out together.


    Sylvie, having been humiliated, left with an icy expression.


    As Elodie and Patricia reached the entrance, they spotted a Bentley parked across the street. Jarrod was leaning against the car, and as Sylvie approached, he opened the door for her, in that instant, Sylvie''s face softened. Before getting in, she shot Elodie a mocking nce, as if to say: So what if Patricia''s on your side? Will it win you even a shred of


    Jarrod''s affection?


    Jarrod, too, noticed Elodie and Patricia. He simply nodded coolly, then got in the car with Sylvie and drove away-making no effort to y the part of the loving husband for anyone watching.


    Patricia frowned. "Why didn''t hee over to speak with you?"


    Elodie checked the time and decided not to pursue the subject. "Miss Aldridge, did


    you drive today? If not, I can give you a ride."


    Patricia shook her head. "No need, I have to head back to the studio and sort through some paintings. Just got back to the country, there''s a lot to catch up on. But let''s grab a meal together sometime, if you''re free."


    "Absolutely. See you soon, Miss Aldridge." For the first time, Elodie truly experienced what it meant to deal with someone born and bred tomand the


    room.