Patricia''s lips twitched at Elodie''sposed demeanor, but she let it go with a


    lightugh. "Good, then. I wouldn''t want you thinking I''m keeping secrets from you I''d hate for that to get in the way of our friendship."


    Elodie offered a gentle, polite smile. Her expression was tranquil, giving nothing


    away.


    Patricia, on the other hand, had a certain edge to her an assertiveness that surfaced now and then. She''d grown up used to high-stakes situations and knew how to hold her ground. Still... Patricia couldn''t help recalling something Sylvie had once said. Maybe, just maybe, even Sylvie had gotten a few things mixed up.


    Later that week, Elodie confirmed with Klein that in three days, their group was heading to a ssified government facility for a meeting. The attendee list was finalized-Watts was included.


    Elodie still couldn''t shake the feeling that Watts ought to be carving out his ce at Eldrion Global now that he was back in the country. The upper management was a nest of intrigue; even being President Barnes'' son wouldn''t help unless Watts learned to y hardball. So why had he suddenly pivoted to join the national task force? This wasn''t the logical next step in his career.


    Klein and his team slipped out quietly, and soon most of the guests had left as well.


    Esmeralda, delighted with one of the dishes, eagerly went to ask the staff to pack some up—she wanted to bring it home for Alexander Sterling to try.


    Night settled in, deepening across the city.


    Patricia, still in high spirits, turned to Elodie and Jarrod. "It''s still early. How about a second round? I know a great bar with a fantastic vibe-let''s go!"


    Watts nced at Elodie, waiting.


    But Jarrod spoke up first. "We''ll have to pass. We promised to visit my uncle tonight-he''s not well."


    Elodie recognized the excuse and nodded, echoing, “Have fun, you guys."


    Patricia looked disappointed, shooting Jarrod a quick nce. "Alright, next time then."


    Watts didn''t bother with Patricia''s regrets. He looked straight at Elodie, smiling. "See you in three days, then."


    The way he said it carried an unmistakable undertone-a warmth and anticipation that lingered, especially with Elodie''s husband standing right there.


    Jarrod regarded Watts coolly, his expression unflinching, betraying nothing at the implied challenge.


    Elodie simply nodded, acknowledging the fact of it. Watts didn''t wait for the others -he turned and strode off on his own. Patricia didn''t linger either.


    Jarrod checked his watch. It was nearly eight.


    "Shall we head down together?"


    Elodie sent Esmeralda a quick message without looking up. "No need. We''ve got a car."


    Jarrod just stood there a moment, his gaze steady and intense. Elodie frowned and looked up at him. "Is there something else, Mr. Silverstein?”


    "Do


    you I remember what I told you?" His tone softened just a little. "Not that I mean to interfere with your friendships, of course."


    It was the second time he''d made such a remark-the first had been a warning about Watts. But this time? Was it about Watts or Patricia?


    Elodie decided to be blunt. After all, his business wasn''t hers. Since he brought it up, she replied coolly, "I don''t make a habit of befriending. your admirers, Mr. Silverstein or sitting around with a bottle of wine to chat about you."


    Only then did a faint change flicker across Jarrod''s brows.


    Right then, Esmeralda emerged, carrying the takeout box.


    Elodie followed her straight to the car, uninterested in whatever Jarrod might have to say. He watched her retreating back for a moment, then got into his own car. Andrea, their driver, kept a steady pace behind the Range Rover carrying Elodie and Esmeralda, never too close, never too far.


    Elodie didn''t give the trailing car a thought. The evening had been all aboutworking, nothing more.


    Half an hour after dinner, she needed to take her medication. She always kept the


    prescription Elias had given her tucked in her bag.


    As Esmeralda drove, Elodie took out


    her pill organizer, fished out a


    et the side effects now


    tablet


    the minimal-and washed it


    down with water from her thermos.


    Esmeralda nced over. "What''s that for?"


    Elodie screwed the lid back on and answered easily, "Just my daily vitamin C."


    Esmeralda lifted a hand, palm up, grinning. "Pass one over, will you?"


    Elodie hesitated, but before she could say anything, a wave of nausea hit her.


    She pped a hand over her mouth and tapped Esmeralda, who immediately braked and flipped on the hazard lights.


    Elodie barely managed to open the door before stumbling to the curb, sinking into a crouch, her face deathly pale as she tried to fight down the urge to vomit.


    Behind them, Jarrod''s car screeched to a halt as well.