The fact that Fairview University hade forward took Elodie by surprise.


    After all, with everything happening in Eldermere, Jarrod had managed to keep the media at bay. For Fairview University to not only catch wind of things right away but also issue a public statement so quickly was unexpected.


    Normally, there would have been an investigation first.


    Any official stance needed to be taken with care-one wrong word or action, no matter how small, could damage a reputation.


    "Fairview''s School of Art certainly wasted no time," Alexander Sterling remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Puts the press to shame, doesn''t it?"


    The media could specte all they wanted, but a statement from the School of Art at Fairview-one of the country''s top academies-carried real weight.


    Elodie nced at the School of Art''s official page before speaking atst, her tone measured. "Old cases like this tend to drag on in court, but at the very least, everyone in the art world who knows their business can already see the truth. Still, a legal ruling will mean the most to the Thorne family."


    Only then would her mother''s suffering and the nder she endured finally be settled, once and for all.


    Elodie had looked into attorneys back home.


    Aside from the Silverstein Group''s own elite legal team and those of other major firms, there was one name that stood above the rest in Eldermere: Albin.


    Alexander knew of him too. Albin came from a family ofwyers, with a reputation that stretched across the country.


    No one could doubt Albin''s abilities.


    Elodie hesitated, weighing her options. "This kind of intellectual property case is notoriously tricky. I''m thinking about reaching out to him."


    Alexander caught her drift. "You''re worried because Albin knows Jarrod, and he worked on your divorce? You''re concerned there might be a conflict?"


    Elodie nodded, admitting her concern.


    "Don''t worry," Alexander said, crossing the room and tapping his phone against the table. "Albin''s family has been in this business for generations. If he takes your case, he''ll be absolutely dedicated to it. That''s how they''ve built their name— he won''t risk that."


    Otherwise, he''d be tarnishing his family''s legacy.


    Elodie allowed herself a smallugh. "You''re right. I''m overthinking it."


    "Just being cautious, that''s all. Go


    ahead and


    ahead and reach out, et


    encouraged. Given how messy things had gotten with Jarrod, he didn''t me her for being careful.


    But awyer was a different matter entirely. Albin wasn''t on the Silverstein Group''s


    payroll; Jarrod had no control over him.


    Elodie agreed-it wouldn''t hurt to make some inquiries.


    Still...


    She nced at her watch. She had an appointment with Dr. Elias Warwick at the hospital.


    Before leaving, she turned to


    Alexander and said, "Once this case


    goes to court, it might turn into a


    long battle. If things get drawn out... or if something unexpected happens, Alex, I may need you to keep an eye on things for me.”


    Alexander paused, studying her with a frown. "What do you mean? Do you have something else going on?"


    Elodie smiled, brushing off the question. "I''ll tell you when the time is right. I have to run now."


    Alexander was left puzzling over her words.


    Elodie headed to the hospital.


    Appointments with Elias usually had to be booked weeks in advance, but he''d made arrangements through his students to squeeze her in.


    When


    he sa odie arrived, Elias paused as his gaze lingering f


    moment. "Ms. Thorne, you seem to


    be in good spirits today."


    "How can you tell?" she asked, one eyebrow arched.


    He looked down, calmly sanitizing his hands. "It''s a good thing. I just hope you''ll consider what I''ve told you."


    “I''ll do my best,” Elodie said, her mood genuinely lighter.


    After years of carrying a heavy burden, she finally felt a response echoing back.