Klein and the others were still deep in conversation about policy, oblivious to what was unfolding at their table.


    Leaning back in his chair, Jarrod responded to Watts'' earlier remark with an easy, unhurried smile. "Mr. Aldridge is a good man-no worries there. I''ll continue to support our country''s space program in every way I can. Whatever resources are needed, I''ll make sure they''re provided. I won''t let my wife exhaust herself, so Mr. Aldridge can focus on his research without distraction."


    His words were like a gentle push, steering the conversation without confrontation.


    Watts understood men like Jarrod all too well-men whose minds were fathomless, impossible to outmaneuver. There was a reason why, in their social circles, people would say that among the sons of old families, most were left chasing the scraps left in Jarrod''s wake.


    With a nonchnt shrug, Watts raised his ss toward Jarrod. "You have my word, Mr. Silverstein. Rest assured."


    Both men remainedposed, the atmosphere so calm that an outsider would never guess at the tension simmering beneath the surface.


    Across the table, Lily watched closely. She noticed a flicker of something hungry in Watts'' gaze when he looked at Elodie—a glint of ambition, unmistakable once you saw it.


    The realization unsettled her so much that the gourmet food in front of her suddenly lost all appeal.


    As for Elodie, she couldn''t be bothered to chime in. Her attention was caught by Klein, who was discussing some of the technical barriers currently stalling progress in aerospace.


    It was the same old story: foreign monopolies on crucial materials and


    manufacturing processes, with major countries tightly restricting what they exported. These were issues she''d wrestled with five years ago, and clearly, they still hadn''t been resolved.


    If those barriers could ever be broken... it was one of her dearest wishes.


    Just then, a tall figure appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Whitaker! I thought it might be you," called a cheerful voice.


    Patricia entered in high heels, waving at Elodie with a bright smile. "What a coincidence running into you here!"


    She knew a few of the senior managers present, so she made her rounds, shaking hands and greeting everyone with casual warmth. "It''s been ages, Mr. Clifford."


    Then she turned to Klein. “Mr. Whitaker, my friend owns this ce. I just found out you were all here-hope I''m not interrupting?"


    Klein hardly blinked. "Not at all. Pull up a chair and join us."


    Patricia made her way to Jarrod''s side, extending a hand. “Mr. Silverstein."


    Jarrod nced at her but didn''t take her hand. He replied coolly, "No need to stand on ceremony, Miss Aldridge. We know each other well enough."


    Patricia''s smile didn''t falter, though she lowered her hand with a graceful flick. "So you do remember me, Mr. Silverstein."


    She slipped into the seat next to Watts, who made room for her withoutment.


    Settling beside Elodie, Patricia offered an apologetic smile. "I forgot to mention- Mr. Silverstein and I have known each other for quite a while."


    Elodie gave her a sideways nce. "Is that so?"


    "We went to college together," Patricia said, her eyes narrowing in fond recollection. "Both of us graduated from MIT. He was the of the campus, you know-finished dual PhDs in finance and economics at twenty-three. I was just an


    undergrad in the arts back then,


    e talk


    following the usual path."


    Elodie already knew this about Jarrod he''d always been several steps ahead of everyone else.


    She did the math. Patricia and Jarrod must have known each other for years, even before she''de into the picture.


    Patricia propped her chin on her hand, looking Jarrod''s way with a raised brow. "I thought you might''ve forgotten about me, Mr. Silverstein. That''s why I never brought it up."


    Jarrod took a sip of his tea, poised as ever. "We were never particrly close. I''d just remembered."


    His words hung in the air.


    For a brief moment, something shed in Patricia''s eyes.


    Elodie was surprised by Jarrod''s bluntness. She knew him well enough to recognize that, for him, this was unusually dismissive-he wasn''t giving Patricia any extra courtesy. Others might not have noticed, perhaps even found him polite. But Elodie knew better.


    Still, Patricia didn''t seem to mind. She shrugged lightly. "Mr. Silverstein always did have a sense of humor. But I suppose it''s true-your wife is probably the only woman who really matters to you."


    She shed Elodie a teasing smile. "Hope you don''t mind that I never mentioned


    it. Did Mr. Silverstein ever tell you?"


    Elodie returned her smile—a calm, unbothered expression. "It''s not important. It doesn''t bother me."