Even Alexander had to admit he was surprised by Patricia''s bluntness. It was as if she couldn''t wait to drag Elodie out of her misery.


    For Elodie, this was the first time she''d ever encountered someone quite like Patricia. And to top it off, Patricia had even pulled Watts into the conversation. Patricia studied Elodie, eyes narrowed in thought before a slow smile curled on her lips. "Honestly, I think Mr. Silverstein has terrible taste."


    "I have to agree with you, Miss Aldridge," Alexander said, not even trying to hide his approval.


    Terrible taste? That didn''t even begin to cover it.


    He''d mistaken a pebble for a diamond, that''s all.


    Elodie genuinely appreciated that Patricia hade over to congratte her, but... Well, she felt she''d made things perfectly clear with Watts already.


    "I know you need time to think it over, and that''s fine. My brother, you know, he seems like he doesn''t care about anything, but when ites to his feelings, he''s actually incredibly picky. Take your time,” Patricia said, grinning as she patted Elodie''s shoulder, effectively shutting down any attempt at further exnation.


    "Miss Aldridge, are you trying to get Elodie into trouble?" Alexander raised an eyebrow.


    Patricia turned to him, arms crossed. "Well, since Mr. Silverstein already has such a charmingpanion by his side, I think Ms. Thorne deserves her own happiness too. She ought to stay far away from him-better yet, cut tiespletely. I''m just trying to save her from the fire."


    Alexander couldn''t help but be a little impressed by Patricia''s boldness.


    But Elodie and Jarrod''s situation wasplicated by their agreement. There were a lot of things that couldn''t just beid out in the open.


    Jarrod might be a disaster in matters of the heart, but Alexander thought even if it was for Elodie''s own good, it''d be better to wait until she chose to end the marriage before encouraging her to start over. Otherwise, at this delicate moment when everyone still saw them as a married couple-it would make Elodie look no better than Jarrod himself.


    Maybe someone as free-spirited as Patricia just didn''t care about things like that. She only cared about what made her happy in the moment.


    "Mr. Sterling, you don''t seem to have much experience with rtionships, do you?” Patricia gave Alexander a once-over.


    Elodie couldn''t help butugh.


    Alexander was all business, all the time. Men and women-rationality and emotion—always on a collision course.


    He simply shrugged, not the least bit bothered by herment. He had no interest in other people''s life philosophies.


    Patricia turned back to Elodie. "Honestly, you''re walking on eggshells in your marriage, yet you''re still so strong. Watts actually has good taste. I''d really like to be friends with you-if you ever need anything, just ask. When ites to dealing with women like that, I''m pretty skilled."


    Elodie thought back to Patricia''s


    tough stance thest time they''det


    met at the research center. She understood perfectly well what kind of person Patricia was.


    "Thank you, Miss Aldridge," Elodie replied politely.


    Patricia''s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Alright, I''ll let you get back to it. Don''t let me


    keep you from your work. Let''s grab dinner sometime."


    And just like that, she was gone-swift and breezy as ever.


    Alexander watched Patricia disappear down the hallway. "Looks like she''s taken


    quite a shine to you. She''s really going out of her way."


    No question about it—Patricia acted like she and Elodie were kindred spirits.


    She''d step in to help at a moment''s notice.


    Elodie felt the same, though she suspected Patricia''s interest probably had a lot to


    do with Watts. Sisters couldn''t help but extend their affection.


    Alexander snapped back into work mode, adding, "By the way, I heard Mr. Ferguson went to Neural


    Intelligence in person today get


    like he''s agreed to mentor them."


    He still couldn''t quite wrap his head around it. Mr. Ferguson had been retired for years—why would hee out of seclusion just to help Sylvie?


    Even if Jarrod had tried to persuade him, surely Mr. Ferguson knew about all the messy rtionships involved. Why get mixed up with Sylvie at all?