Now even herwyer had abandoned her, and that was the end of the line.


    She would have to resort to less-than-legal means now.


    Survival was the only thing that mattered.


    Sylvie understood exactly what Selma meant. Taking a steadying breath, she whispered, “There''s no way you can board amercial flight. We''ll have to figure out something else... You go first."


    How had ite to this? Once, their family had stood tall; now, they were no better than pariahs, reviled by everyone.


    Their reputation, status, wealth, future-every possible escape route was blocked. Selma clenched her fists, her eyes cold and shadowed with bitterness.


    The next day.


    Albin had arranged a private meeting with Jarrod at short notice.


    By evening, Albin headed straight for The Silverstein Group''s offices.


    Andrea greeted him at reception.


    Jarrod was just leaving the conference room and spotted Albin down the hall. With a faint, knowing smile, he called out, "Albin."


    Albin nodded, taking a seat and sipping the tea Andrea brought. He chose his words carefully. "Selma''swyer has already left Eldermere. On Ms. Thorne''s side, there shouldn''t be any further issues."


    Jarrod adjusted his cuffs with pale, elegant fingers, his tone cool and detached. "Just handle things at your own pace, Albin. There''s no need to keep me informed of every detail."


    Had it not been for recent events, Albin might never have understood Jarrod''s true intentions.


    After a pause, Albin met his gaze. "Ms. Thorne is probably starting to put the pieces together. She''s level-headed-there''s a chance she''ll start asking questions, about the divorce agreement, for example."


    Jarrod''s eyes narrowed slightly as he removed his rimless sses. "Let things take their course. As long as matters at hand are settled, that''s enough."


    Albin understood what he meant.


    -y dumb.


    A knock sounded at the door.


    Andrea entered, herposure unruffled, and leaned in to murmur to Jarrod, "Mr. Silverstein, there''s been some movement."


    Jarrod''s expression didn''t change.


    His phone buzzed softly.


    He nced at it, unhurried.


    It was a message from Sylvie.


    [Jarrod, could you spare some time to meet me? The address is Goldcrest Bay. I''ll wait for you.]


    The day before, Elodie hade down with a chill. Her immune system out of bnce, she''d developed a mild fever.


    She decided to take half a day off, working from home instead.


    After finishing thetest round of design revisions on the wing structure, it was almost eight in the evening.


    Her stomach was painfully empty.


    She checked the fridge-barely anything left.


    With a sigh, she grabbed her phone, slipped on her shoes, and headed out.


    There was arge supermarket just a five-minute walk from her apartment building.


    The area was convenient-close to hospitals, supermarkets, even the subway was just a couple blocks away if her treatment worked out, she was thinking she might st settle down and buy a ce here.


    After picking up some fresh groceries, Elodie started the walk back, night air cool around her.


    Halfway home, her phone rang. Alexander''s tone was unusually tense. Just got out of a meeting with Mr. Whitaker. Word is, Sylvie and the others... they''ve disappeared.”


    Elodie''s heart skipped. "...What happened?"


    A suspicion was already forming in her mind.


    Alexander gave a bitterugh. "They really know how to pull a vanishing act-even now. Do they not realize whose territory this is? Don''t worry, our people will move fast. Just get some rest and leave it to us."


    Elodie frowned, tension prickling at her temples.


    "Alright, I understand." It was clear now-Sylvie and the others were trying to slip


    out of Eldermere, maybe even out of the country.


    She was almost at the front gate of herplex when, from the darkness, the screech of tires caught her attention—a car braking hard.


    She paused, turning toward the sound.


    Under the streetlight, a ck sedan hurtled around the corner.


    Its high beams shed, blinding her for an instant. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, and in that split second, caught sight of the car elerating straight toward her-


    Whoever was behind the wheel wasn''t just driving: they were aiming right at her.