"Is he out of his mind?"


    Esmeralda looked absolutely furious, and Elodie gently squeezed her hand. "Let''s talk to him about itter, okay?"


    Esmeralda clenched her jaw, so incensed that if things really were as bad as they sounded, she was ready to rid the Mercer family of its blight herself.


    When Maurice and Joseph Dcroix arrived, their eyes quickly found Elodie across the room.


    Maurice blinked in surprise. "What''s Elodie doing here? Isn''t this a little awkward for her? Did shee just to make things difficult for Sylvie?"


    After all, this was Sylvie''s big event. For Elodie to show up unannounced seemed downright rude.


    Sylvie stood next to Jarrod, her expression unreadable as she replied in a cool voice, "It doesn''t matter. If she wants to be here, let her."


    She didn''t mention that the Thorne family had actually been sent an invitation.


    But to everyone else listening, it sounded like Sylvie was confirming that Elodie had shown up uninvited.


    Joseph, for his part, kept his gaze on Elodie a moment longer.


    Rumors about Elodie and her time at Verdant University had circted widely in their circles.


    He felt a mix of shock-and a realization that if anyone could pull this off, it would be Elodie. He''d underestimated her back then, hadn''t realized she was capable of something so... rare.


    Jarrod kept silent, his attention fixed on the team making final arrangements inside the venue. He didn''t even spare a nce in Elodie''s direction.


    Sylvie noticed.


    She allowed herself a brief, silent smile. Then she turned to Jarrod and said, "Jarrod, there''ll be an interviewter in the program. Would you mind joining me? My mom''s also hosting a roundtable to talk about the creative process."


    Jarrod looked down at her, his calm gray eyes softening in a way that made her heart flutter. "Of course. I don''t mind at all."


    No matter how long she''d known Jarrod, moments like this still sent her pulse racing.


    He was even willing to stand beside her for a public interview-no one couldpare to the support Jarrod gave her. Anyone with eyes could see how much he was on her side tonight.


    Elodie, meanwhile, paid no attention to any of this.


    While Esmeralda stepped away to call Alexander, Elodie nced at her watch, counting down the minutes until everything would start.


    She had a few paintings in her car; once everyone arrived, she''d be ready to bring them in.


    ет


    The museum grounds were expansive, with a widewn outside set up with elegant decorations As she walked, she let her mind wander, nning out her next steps.


    "Ms. Thorne?"


    A familiar voice called from behind.


    Elodie turned.


    It was Joseph.


    His tone


    I in a thin line. "It''s bee


    While as reserved as usual, his


    heard some things about to


    youtely." Content but


    "You... haven''t been affected, have you?"


    With Jarrod and Sylvie so publicly together, people were bound to gossip about Elodie.


    She didn''t reply, only looked at him calmly. "Is there something you wanted to say, Mr. Dcroix?"


    Joseph''s hand curled into a fist at his side.


    He did have something to say.


    He''de to realize that emotions weren''t always a matter of logic or reason.


    There''d been a flood of news about Elodietely-news that was surprising, even a little awe-inspiring. He found himself thinking about her, again and again.


    He just couldn''t forget Elodie. Couldn''t quite let her go.


    He almost asked-if it hadn''t been Jarrod, would she have ever...


    "Mr. Dcroix, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be going now." Elodie had no patience left for Joseph''s inner turmoil.


    She owed him nothing, and after tonight, she had no intention of maintaining even the pretense of acquaintance.


    She turned to leave.


    Joseph''s eyes darkened, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Are you thinking about divorce?"