Elinor''s grin widened. "Well, that means you two hit it off, doesn''t it? Miss
Aldridge, Jarrod can be a bit... difficult with people and situations, even I find him
a little intimidating. But if you get along with Sprague, you shoulde visit more
often!"
"Is that so? At least Mr. Silverstein has better taste than Jarrod," Patricia replied,
ncing in the direction Jarrod had left, deliberately ignoring Elinor''stter
suggestion.
Sprague sipped his tea, fully aware of his mother''s intentions.
She was hoping he and Patricia might be something more.
Ideally, even a marriage alliance.
That would be quite advantageous...
Jarrod entered his grandmother''s bedroom.
After what had happened yesterday, she was still shaken and not feeling well.
She was lying down, but when she saw Jarrod, she sat up. "How is Elodie?"
Jarrod took a seat. "Didn''t I already tell you?"
The old woman''s face darkened. She couldn''t help thinking the world was terribly
unfair-how could it be so cruel to such a good child?
But...
Just then, Lucinda entered, her voice low and calm. "Miss Aldridge came by to
visit. What was that attitude you gave her?"
Jarrod poured his grandmother a ss of water, his tone icy. "You don''t need to
worry about my attitude. Maybe you should consider what your siblings are up to.
The second branch is clearly hoping for a match with the Aldridge family. I imagine
that''ll give you plenty to stress about."
Lucinda, stung once more, could barely keep herposure.
Jarrod didn''t bother with pleasantries. "Someone like Patricia? Best keep your
distance. It''s obvious the second branch has their own agenda, but I''ll make it
clear: she''s not setting foot into the Silverstein family."
Patricia''s visit was nothing more than an attempt to sway the Silversteins,
especially now, during the rumors about Elodie''s supposed "miscarriage" or
"cancer." With just a few words, she could easily stir up trouble and spark all kinds
of drama.
And as for Elinor and her side of the family-Sprague was still unmarried, and
now, with such a ''suitable'' candidate, of course they''d be scheming.
But Jarrod would never allow someone like Patricia to be part of the family.
Once Elodie was healthy again, he''d make sure she never had to deal with this
sort of trouble.
He wouldn''t let her suffer, not even a little.
And as for Patricia herself-he''d handle her.
Lucinda''s face hardened. "What''s that supposed to mean?"
The old woman said nothing, but she understood exactly what Jarrod was getting
at.
Though it sounded like he was talking to Lucinda, really, he was including her as
well.
Jarrod was worried she might interfere in his rtionship with Elodie.
She knew her grandson was shrewd-calcting to the core.
Satisfied that his grandmother was alright, Jarrod stood to leave.
At the door, he shot Lucinda a look-she was clearly rattled by his words.
He regarded her coolly, his tone
unchanging. "Let''s get something
straight. I''m a married man. I expect
the Silversteins to act with some
decency-I have no intention of
starting a harem in a modern
civilized society."
His words were blunt-cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Lucinda nched, speechless.
Patricia arrived just in time to hear him.
The smile on her lips froze, then faded, leaving her expression stiff and
embarrassed.
How dare Jarrod speak about her like that?!
Even Sprague, standing beside her, frowned and tried to defend her dignity.
"Jarrod, that''s out of line."
But after everything with Elodie''s
illness, Jarrod had no patience
left-nor any desire to spare
anyone''s feelings.
He strode out, his voice cold and
sharp as a de: "If you think that''s
appropriate, why don''t you go home
and ask your father to take another
wife?"
Elinor, who had just walked in, stopped in her tracks, her face falling in shock.
She was so furious she literally trembled.
Since when had Jarrod be so mercilessly blunt?
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