How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie was genuinely taken aback by his bluntness. Rubbing her temples in

exasperation, she realized she had little reason to come looking for him in the first place. "If it's inconvenient, then forget it."

After all, this SX Alloy project was going to be a long-term endeavor. Nothing would be decided overnight.noveldrama

If he wasn't willing, it wasn't as if she could force him at knifepoint.

Just as she was about to hang up-

"The Silverstein Group. I'll wait for you."

It was as if Jarrod had read her mind, his tone leisurely as he spoke, and then- before she could say anything else he hung up.

With her answer in hand, Elodie didn't bother to revisit their earlier conversation. She swung her car around and headed straight for the Silverstein Group building.

It had been a long time since she last set foot in the Silverstein Group's headquarters. Now, as she walked into the lobby, the crowd surged around her, but more than a few heads turned, their eyes following every step she took.

At the reception desk, the staff were all professionalism and respect. One of them gave a deferential gesture. "Mrs. Silverstein, you can take Mr. Silverstein's private elevator."

Elodie accepted their courtesy with a polite nod and stepped into the elevator.

Now that her identity was public knowledge, the change in people's attitudes was impossible to miss outward friendliness was suddenly everywhere.

When she reached the executive floor, she passed by the secretarial department. The assistants inside were busy with their work, but as soon as they caught sight of her, expressions shifted, eyes clouded with complicated emotions.

After all, Elodie had once been the Silverstein Group's PR manager-a role with virtually no connection to Mr. Silverstein himself. She'd always kept a low profile. Who could have guessed...?

Now, everyone seemed to be racking their brains, wondering if they'd ever managed to offend her in the past.

Elodie couldn't care less what they were thinking. She walked straight to Jarrod's office.

She didn't see Andrea or Keith around, so she knocked on the door herself.

When she pushed the door open, Jarrod just happened to look up from behind his desk, slipping off a pair of rimless safety glasses as he did. "Have you eaten? Want to grab a bite together?"

"No need. I'm here to discuss some work matters." Elodie sat down on the couch, all business.

Jarrod studied her expression for a moment, then got up and moved to sit at an angle beside her. "I'm all ears."

"You probably know why I'm here." Elodie had figured it out. Back at that dinner the other night, he'd clearly overheard the conversation about the materials. Yet he'd kept his cool and hadn't said a word. What exactly was he waiting for some higher bid?

Jarrod glanced at her. "They sent you to try the personal approach?"

"Do we even have a personal connection?" Elodie retorted without thinking, then changed the subject. "Mr. Silverstein, you're free to state your terms—whatever requirements or conditions you have."

Jarrod didn't answer right away. It was impossible to tell what problem he was mulling over.

Elodie wasn't in a hurry. She waited in silence.

After a moment, Jarrod replied quietly, "I do have a condition."

Elodie asked, "Price? Contract length? How do you want to structure this?"

After all, once this was finalized, it would involve a staggering sum-hundreds of millions over the next decade. Nothing to take lightly.

"You move back home. For two months."

The office fell utterly silent.

Elodie wondered if she'd misheard. Her perfectly arched brows drew together. "What?"

Jarrod's eyes were cool, his tone unruffled as he repeated, "You move back home. For two months."

Elodie stared at him, incredulous.

Was he even taking this seriously? This project was a matter of national research, involving billions, and every single stage would require a huge team of experts to execute perfectly. And his bargaining chip was... "move back home"?

"What is this?"

"My condition."

"Are you out of your mind? Is that really your priority? Your company in Verdaniays, about to enter a deep partnership with us. There's a risk Verdania could hit you with

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sanctions or squeeze you out of the market. You could lose-"

"That's my problem to solve. You just need to agree. If you do, I'll meet with your leadership tomorrow." Jarrod's voice remained calm from start to finish.

As if the thing on the table wasn't a project that would send the entire industry into a frenzy.