That didn''t stop her from indulging her twisted sense of humor. She pulled off her own belt and handed it to him, then patted his cheek lightly. "However you managed after our ''divorce,'' just do it again."
Without giving Jarrod a chance to react, she grabbed her suitcase and strode off, not looking back.
Clean, decisive, and utterly merciless.
Jarrod watched the retreating figure, her beige coat belt still dangling from his palm. He rubbed it absently between his fingers, his eyes never leaving her back.
After a long moment, his lips curled into a wry smile.
He lowered his gaze to the belt in his hand, gripping it unconsciously—this, after all, was Elodie''s parting token, one that would keep his mind running wild.
When Elodie chose to be wicked, he was utterly defenseless.
He waited until she disappeared inside before finally getting into his car.
After everything that had happened abroad with Watts and Quinn, the domestic arrangements were now tighter and more secure. Withprehensive precautions in ce, there would be no more problems.
He''d also gotten word that on Watts''s end, Eaton had sent people to get things under control. There was no way Eaton would let further trouble break out with his own retirement looming. As expected, Eaton''s intervention forced Watts to consider the fate of the entire Aldridge family; he had no choice but to swallow the loss.
Now, setting aside the wedding, Jarrod needed to cut off every escape route for the second branch of the family.
Back then, he''d banished Sprague Silverstein and his cohorts abroad, assigning them to thepany''s Italian operations.
Sprague actually believed he had figured out every inch of thatpany.
But the reality was quite different.
Jarrod''s people had remained hidden, waiting for hismand.
He was ready to shut down every factory and office the family owned in Italy. As
for Sprague... it was time for him to step down and lose anyst shred of influence.
Jarrod wouldn''t give him another chance to cling to life.
He''d already had
a conversation
with the old matriarch. She was a
battle-hardened woman who
met
understood that the worst thing, family could do was betray its own humanity for profit getting power that way would only tear the house. apart. s
She never voiced an opinion on his methods. In her silence, he found approval.
So Jarrod didn''t n to hold back.
He''d just started the car when his phone lit up with a call.
He answered, sounding almost bored.
Ivan''s voice came through, hoarse and strained. "Jarrod, what''s the meaning of
this invitation you sent me?"
Was he trying to stab him right in the heart?
Jarrod turned the wheel and spoke slowly, "I''m a firm believer in
In
reciprocity I used to be bothered by what went on between you and Elodie that thorn''s been there for<fn2c93> Content originallyes from FindN0vel</fn2c93>
years. But now I''m clear: Elodie''s heart was always mine. I''m happy, so I figured it was time toy everything on the table. I wasn''t about to be stingy with the invitation. You should see for yourself just how happy she is to marry me-and maybe then you''ll stop worrying about my wife." s
There was nothing overtly wrong with his words.
Yet every syble cut like a knife.
Ivan could hardly believe a man like Jarrod would say such things to him.
It was a mixture of gloating, warning, and the disdain of a victor.
Like he was finally venting years of pent-up frustration.
It wasn''t quite like Jarrod to be so petty.
But when it came to possessiveness and jealousy, Jarrod never bothered to hide
it. Even in front of a former rival, he was utterly direct-because now, he was confident. He had won.
He made it perfectly clear: Elodie had only ever been Mrs. Silverstein.
Jarrod looked ahead at the open
road, his voice as calm as ever. "The invitation''s been delivered, Mr. Harcourt if you''re too busy don''t trouble yourself Just knowing we have your blessing is enough for us." s