There was no trace of awkwardness in her manner.
If anything, she carried herself with a certain breezy confidence.
Patricia found it rather intriguing.
For a woman like Sylvie-spoiled by Jarrod for so many years-to sit across from her, raising her ss with such ease, was unexpected.
Patricia, however, wasn''t about to y along. "If it weren''t for Mr. Silverstein, you wouldn''t catch these ghosts and ghouls in my ce," she said, her tone dry and dismissive.
With that, Patricia turned away, handing Elodie a fresh ss of juice over the back of a chair, her stance toward the wife and the mistress clear as day.
She didn''t bother responding to Sylvie, but given Jarrod''s standing, Patricia offered a nod of respect. "Please, Mr. Silverstein, have a seat."
People nearby, who''d heard their fair share of gossip, couldn''t help but cast nces their way.
Sylvie wasn''t sure if Elodie had caught her words, but once Jarrod took his seat, Sylvie didn''t hesitate-she slipped into the chair right beside him.
If anything, she looked more like Mrs. Silverstein than Elodie did.
Patricia took in the scene, amused.
Elodie, on the other hand, was long used to such disys-she could treat it all as if it were happening to someone else.
Then Watts arrived, his steps slowing only a fraction as he surveyed the gathering. Without pause, he strode over and imed the empty seat on Elodie''s other side, his intention impossible to ignore.
He looked at Elodie, a yful smile lighting his eyes. "I had a feeling you''d show up today. Looks like I made the right bet."
That was when Elodie turned, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Aldridge."
"I just stopped by on a whim," he said, leaning in so only she could hear over the buzz of the room. "Heard you were at the HT event-everything go smoothly?"
It felt almost like a secret shared between the two of them.
Elodie considered for a moment. "It went fine. Noints."
Watts let out a quietugh, his eyes falling, his amusement genuine.
Elodie, caught off guard by his reaction, tilted her head, a silent question in her eyes.
Jarrod, seated directly across from them, only needed to look up to see the exchange. His gaze lingered for a moment before he looked away, face unreadable.
Patricia, catching sight of the easy rapport between Elodie and Watts, poured a ss of wine and set it in front of Sylvie. "Guests are guests, and I''m a gracious host. Ms. Fielding, please-help yourself."
Sylvie didn''t miss the implication-it was a prompt to drink.
Grady, watching from a nearby table, seemed ready to interject, but Sylvie picked
up the ss first. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Patricia couldn''t help but notice Sylvie''s poise-no one could find fault with her.
She was, Patricia had to admit, a force to be reckoned with. A true pro.
Patricia grinned, refilled Sylvie''s
ss, and propped her chin on her hand as she studied her. "Ms. Fielding, you''re refreshingly straightforward. Now, this is my ce, and while all guests are wee, let me remind you there are different kinds of guests. Don''t try to show off in front of Ms. Thorne, or I won''t hesitate to put you in your ce."
Sylvie''s hand froze for a split second around her ss.
Even Jarrod gave Patricia a steely look.
"What, struck a nerve?" Patricia
teased, meeting Jarrod''s eyes with feigned surprise. "Don''t tell me you''re defending the wrong woman, Mr. Silverstein. Mrs. Silverstein is still sitting right here."
Even Jarrod had to look away, a rare moment of difort crossing his face.
Patricia had always done as she pleased, with little regard for polite society or anyone''s feelings.
But Elodie knew—Jarrod wasn''t the sort to get into petty squabbles with women.
As expected, Jarrod simply raised his ss, his tone mild. "You''re joking, Miss Aldridge."
Patricia shrugged. "No need for you to worry, Mr. Silverstein. Mrs. Silverstein has plenty of admirers."
She nced toward Watts, who sat beside Elodie.
With so many tangled rtionships at y, the tension around the table grew almost palpable.