Watts finally revealed the source of his materials, resolving the tense impasse with perfect timing.


    Anyone watching would agree-he''d just saved the day.


    A flurry of thoughts raced through Elodie''s mind; she couldn''t pretend she wasn''t surprised.


    This material was so rare that even overseas, only a handful ofpanies had ess to it. It was a cornerstone of military power and cutting-edge technology, a ticket to absolute influence and, even more, to unimaginable profit.


    It was the kind of prize that could drive investors into a frenzy.


    Until now, only Jarrod had managed to secure it domestically, making the entire industry—and even the continent-reliant on his production process.


    Yet Watts, it turned out, had it too. He''d never breathed a word, not the faintest hint...


    Not until this very moment.


    Suddenly, Elodie realized just how deep a game this young man was ying.


    She instinctively nced at Jarrod.


    He sat with patrician poise, leaning back and watching Watts, unhurried and unruffled.


    He didn''t seem surprised at all.


    Elodie felt her tension ebb away. She waited for what would happen next.


    Klein, on the other hand, was stunned. "Watts, are you absolutely certain about this?"


    Watts gave a sly smile, sinkingfortably into his chair. "Mr. Whitaker, I am, after all, the next in line at Eldrion Global. With thepany behind me, is there really anything you doubt?"


    He turned to Jarrod. "Granted, mypany''s not quite the giant that Silverstein Industries is, but supplying for the next year or two shouldn''t be an issue. Especially considering—well, Mr. Silverstein has his hands full right now..."


    He sighed, almost sounding regretful. "With everything that''s happened, it can''t be easy. Public outrage, loss of life, mounting questions-it''s not something that just goes away. Honestly, I''d hoped to stay out of the domestic market, but with Silverstein''s troubles, I felt it was only fair to offer the authorities another choice. No sense in letting a major research project stall, don''t you think?"


    Jarrod looked at him coolly. "Mr. Aldridge, your timing is impable-not a second too soon."


    Watts chuckled softly. "Just looking out for the greater good."


    Jarrod knew exactly what Watts was after.


    In fact, two years ago-back in Verdania-they''d shed over this material. Watts had been a


    very


    rookie then, easily outmaneuvered. His fledglingpany suffered a catastrophic copse, supply chains in tatters, forcing an emergency shutdown.


    Some even called it bankruptcy.


    And yet, here he was again-back from the dead.


    With Jarrod''spany now in crisis and the military forced to choose between Eldrion Global, the dominant defense contractor, and his own embattled firm, the answer was obvious.


    "If it''s the greater good we''re talking about," Jarrod said, stretching out his legs, "then let''s be thorough. Not long ago, Elodie was caught up in a scandal-used of falsifying data to boost my standing. So, allow me to submit every test report from mypany since day one: annual, quarterly, even monthly. All these records have been stored and


    verified by the single most


    authoritative institute in Verdania.


    Their reputation is absolute; they run


    monthly checks, and everyone knows their verdict is final."


    Klein was visibly taken aback.


    Watts narrowed his eyes, betraying nothing.


    Even Elodie nced at Jarrod in surprise.


    Monthly reports, every single year?


    She knew that institute well; even the biggestpanies in Verdania and Solmaris had to go through them.


    But each inspection was outrageously expensive-starting at a million dors, and archiving the reports cost extra. Their standards were so strict, not even the tiniest discrepancy would slip through.


    Mostpanies, even the biggest, only did quarterly checks-never that often. The sums involved were toorge.


    But Jarrod he''d kept data on everything, top to bottom, with not a single detail left open to challenge.


    Klein couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Silverstein, you can provide all of these?" Jarrod nodded to Andrea, who brought over a thick stack of documents.


    Each one was stamped with the institute''s seal of approval.


    A single nce told Klein everything he needed to know.


    Jarrod''s materials were of the highest caliber.


    At just the right moment, Elodie spoke up, her voice steady. "As for my situation-the usations that I falsified reports to inte Mr. Silverstein''s reputation-I reject that impletely."