How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

From a short distance, she couldn't quite make out his expression, but it felt like he'd been watching her for a long while. The tension around him had faded; he seemed almost relaxed.

Between them, not a word was spoken.

Watts glanced at Elodie, then shifted his gaze to Jarrod.

Jarrod didn't linger.

He walked toward the exit, the lobby busy with people coming and going, waiting for their cars.

Patricia stepped out too, pausing to look at his indifferent profile. "Elodie isn't who she used to be," she remarked, her tone cool. "Who could possibly outshine her now? With how much attention she's getting tonight, her reputation and status are set in stone. Who could even hope to stand in her way?"

Even if someone resented Elodie, nothing they tried would make a difference now.

Jarrod lowered his eyes, absently tracing his thumb along the edge of a metal lighter. "Probably not," he replied.

Patricia's lips curled, though there was no warmth in her smile. "Mr. Silverstein, I really can't figure you out. Between Sylvie and Elodie, who do you actually love?"

If things hadn't unfolded as they did today, she would have still thought Sylvie was the woman he cared for most.

But now... something felt off.

From the moment news of Jarrod and Elodie's marriage broke and Patricia returned to the country, Jarrod had shown no particular tenderness toward his wife. His every action seemed to favor Sylvie-protecting her, opening doors for her, showing her preference time and again. Patricia had always believed Sylvie was the one he truly loved.

Anyone would have thought so.

Yet now, with Sylvie caught up in a scandal that could mean at least seven years behind bars if the charges stuck, her reputation was destroyed-and Patricia knew she herself had played a part in that, ever since the art show, and with every effort to block Sylvie's ascent.

Throughout all this, Elodie had quietly risen to fame and fortune, garnering national attention and support from the highest circles.

She had completely transformed, no longer the obscure researcher she once

was.

No one could easily stand in the way of Elodie's future success and growing prestige.noveldrama

This entire competition was sponsored by the Silverstein Group, making the event even grander and more spectacular.

So Patricia couldn't help but wonder-did Jarrod really love Sylvie?

With his influence, he could have used his position as the main sponsor to smooth things over, at least for today.

Finally, Jarrod glanced at her, clearly uninterested in answering.

Patricia regarded him with a small, knowing smile. "Mr. Silverstein, are you just using Sylvie to distract me?"

Just then, his car pulled up.

Jarrod's tone was careless as he replied, "Miss Aldridge, you're overthinking it."

With nothing more to add, he turned and got into the car.

Patricia narrowed her eyes, watching him go.

A sudden thought struck her if she hadn't interfered in Sylvie's affairs, if she hadn't kept such a close eye on her, would Elodie still be standing center stage at this world-renowned tech competition?

Elodie's rise depended on powerful connections, her path would inevitably cross with the upper

echelons. Without today's event et

Elodie would have remained in

obscurity, and keeping her from the spotlight-or blocking her. progress-wouldn't have been so difficult.

The world of politics and influence ran deep.

But now, Elodie was thrust into the global spotlight.

She was unstoppable, her brilliance impossible to hide.

Patricia frowned suddenly, cold sweat prickling at her back as a wild, unsettling suspicion took root in her mind-

down, bun

Meanwhile, the event was winding but Sylvie's scandal was still the talk of the evening and

require further attention. Cot

Many industry leaders had turned out tonight, each hoping to meet Elodie.

But Elodie was in no mood to make small talk. Slipping away from the crowd, she found Waldron.

Even now, she couldn't shake the feeling that something about tonight just didn't add up-