Watts noticed what was happening across the room.


    He raised an eyebrow with mild curiosity but didn''t go out of his way to greet them.


    Instead, he leaned toward Elodie and murmured, "Where are you headed? I''ve been here a few times I know my way around. Want me to show you?"


    Elodie drew her gaze back from the other side and nodded politely. "Thank you, but that won''t be necessary. Mr. Whitaker''s team is sending someone to meet me. You go ahead."


    Her refusal was direct but delivered with the same gentleposure she always


    wore.


    Watts didn''t push. He simply handed her his umbre. “Here, take my umbre. When this is over, should we head back together?"


    "You don''t need to wait for me," Elodie replied, not offering further exnation. She didn''t want to create any expectations.


    Watts just smiled, unfazed. "Alright. I''ll see youter, then."


    As he walked away, Elodie no longer spared any attention to why Jarrod was here. She turned and made her way elsewhere.


    Jarrod, meanwhile, hadn''t missed the brief exchange between Elodie and Watts. Though he didn''t know exactly what they''d said, he quietly averted his gaze and turned to Eaton. "I assume you''ve heard about the materials, then?"


    Eaton nodded, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Mr. Silverstein, you''re remarkably farsighted. You took this step years ago, and now it''s solved some of our toughest technical problems."


    Military projects often had simr needs. If it weren''t truly vital, Verdania wouldn''t have kept things under wraps for so long.


    "You tter me," Jarrod replied with calm humility, walking alongside Eaton. "If my work can contribute to scientific progress, that''s an honor. I just happened to be here today, working out the cooperation details, and ran into you."


    His demeanor was measured and poised, sharp beneath the surface but never arrogant.


    Eaton noticed. Few young men carried themselves like this.


    "Will you be signing today?"


    Jarrod inclined his head. "Not just yet. There are still details to iron out."


    Eaton was eager to see things finalized and pressed a little. "You''re negotiating with Whitaker''s team? I''ll have some timeter-why don''t I join you?"


    Jarrod hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Of course."


    Eaton caught the hesitation and smiled. "What''s wrong? Not happy with how talks are going?"


    Jarrod gave a faint, nomittal smile. "Not exactly. It''s just that..."


    He paused, then continued, "There are otherplications. This coboration is important, and want it to proceed smoothly-f''d rather not have any unnecessary rumors getting in the way.


    Eaton stopped walking, his expression darkening. "Oh? Is something troubling


    you, Mr. Silverstein? Speak freely. Whitaker and I can address it."


    Jarrod met his eyes, steady and calm. "It''s about Miss Aldridge. She''s been reaching out to me quite oftentely. Given that Elodie and I have been more publicly open about our marriage, I''m concerned that any gossip involving Miss Aldridge could affect reputations on all sides. I also don''t want my wife feeling


    ufortable."


    The implication was clear.


    Eaton''s features grew taut with a restrained but unmistakable anger.


    He understood, of course. Patricia... was harassing Jarrod?


    Jarrod''s expression didn''t change. "As you know, there''s a lot of attention on this coboration from higher up. If anything were to happen after the partnership deepens, I''d hate for it to cause


    trouble for my wife or jeopardize the project."


    Eaton''s face darkened further.


    Jarrod''s words were perfectly polite-but his meaning was unmistakable.


    If this became a problem, the deal could fall apart.


    This was the top priority of the administration; nothing could be allowed to jeopardize it. Especially not if his own daughter was involved. If things got out, he would be the one left exining.


    "Mr. Silverstein, Patricia''s being immature. You needn''t worry I''ll make sure she''s kept in line. Nothing will be allowed to disrupt our research. I trust you understand."


    Jarrod smiled faintly. "Of course, Minister. You''re fair-minded, and that puts my mind at ease."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!