Ma''s feeble protest still echoed in Elodie''s ears.


    A flicker of scorn shed in her eyes. Good thing, really-she''d never expected anything from her biological father, not even enough to feel disappointed now.


    All she felt was a cold, biting sense of irony.


    Back then, when the reporters came swarming, Jarrod had already made sure she was safe. The only footage they ever got was the two of them, neat andposed, alone in a room. Even then, Jarrod had handled everything with painstaking care. Who could''ve guessed that, in the end, the real viin would turn out to be Ma himself?


    But to Reba, Elodie''s calm meant she was scared. Reba rapped her knuckles on Elodie''s desk, eyes sweeping over the upscale office. "I''ve warned you before, haven''t I? Don''t be so ungrateful. The Harcourt family knows exactly what you are, Elodie. They''ve done you a favor, setting you up with a once-in-a-lifetime catch. Don''t turn into a backstabber, alright?"


    "Reba, don''t talk to your sister like that." Ma put on his best fatherly voice, though his eyes gleamed with greed. "Elodie''s always been sensible, never caused me worry. I''m sure she''lle around and talk to Jarrod for the Harcourts'' sake. After all, won''t the Harcourt family belong to you sisters in the future?"


    "Whatever you say," Elodie cut in, her calm voice t and utterly indifferent.


    Ma''s words faltered. He turned to look at her.


    Elodie had already opened herptop, her expression as unreadable as ss.


    "Elodie, what''s that supposed to mean?" Ma forced a smile.


    She lifted her eyelids just enough to meet his gaze. "Interpret it however you like. I couldn''t care less."


    Ma''s face darkened.


    Elodie regarded him coolly. "But let me remind you: given my position now, if Mr. Harcourt goes through with this, it''ll be ndering a state research scientist. That couldnd Mr. Harcourt in awsuit. I''ve said all I need to. Anything else, or are you both leaving?"


    She was detached, as if none of this concerned her.


    There wasn''t the slightest hint of fear or anxiety.


    Reba stiffened.


    Ma stared at her in disbelief.


    It was only now that he realized just how much Elodie had changed.


    She''d never been this assertive before. When had she grown so unyielding? There was even something about her presence now that made him uneasy.


    "Elodie, are you out of your mind? You''re just going to throw away your reputation?" Reba''s face paled, her eyes wide with shock.


    Elodie picked up her office phone. "Please send security up. I need these two escorted out of my office."


    Her refusal was


    so blunt that


    Ma''s mask of civility slipped for


    the first time. He stood, looking at Elodie with aplicated


    expression. "So you''ve finally grown up, huh? Ready to defy your own father. Tell me, Elodie, are you pretending to be calm, of are you overestimating how much Mr. Silverstein cares about you? Why would he want a woman who''s be the punchline of every crude joke in town?"


    His words were venomous and unvarnished.


    Elodie didn''t even blink.


    Just then, Esmeralda Mercer strode in, security guards on her heels. She took one look at the father and daughter, her face icy with


    contempt. "Well, what do we have here? Even the sewer rats are crawling out now. Security, get them out of here immediately. This whole ce needs to be fumigated-so filthy, such bad luck!"


    Ma''s face turned an ugly shade. He clearly didn''t want to be thrown out in front of everyone, so with onest look at Elodie-like she was the most ingrateful daughter in the world-he dragged a sputtering Reba away.


    Once they were gone, Elodie''s eyes fell to the photograph on her desk.


    Ma probably had more where that came from.


    Esmeralda noticed the photo too, her face twisting with anger. She snatched it up


    and tore it to pieces. "Bastard! They''re all bastards!"


    Furious and heartbroken, she rushed over to hug Elodie, not wanting her to be hurt.


    Elodie gently patted her shoulder. "It''s alright. This is nothing. He didn''t get what


    he wanted from me, so he won''t make a move for now."


    Even if Ma did try to leak something-


    She had nothing to fear.


    She''d done nothing wrong. Let the world and its prejudices say what they would; none of it could touch her.


    Back outside VistaLink Technologies, Ma climbed into the car, his face thunderous.