How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 331 It wasn't surprising they thought that way-the gates of the Sterling family estate were shut tight, leaving Elodie stranded outside, her face etched with disappointment and worry. The reason was obvious to anyone watching.

That was something new.

"Didn't see Mr. Sterling either," Sylvie remarked, leaning back in her seat and turning away from the window. There was a hint of cheerfulness in her tone, as if the misfortune amused her.

Even Alexander can't fix this one, can he? Maurice clicked his tongue. "If Elodie can't even get through the front door, Mr. Sterling must be pretty unhappy with her. And if she's still hoping to pull sstrings, he'll probably toss her out even harder." He was genuinely puzzled.

Why on earth had Elodie impulsively declared, in front of everyone, that she'd apply for Dr. Sterling's graduate program? Now she was stuck-neither able to advance nor retreat.

Sylvie's lips curved in a detached smile. "Who knows?" But for all her nonchalance, she knew Maurice had a point.

Elodie couldn't even set foot on Sterling property. Mr. Sterling had never thought much of her academic abilities.

Elodie had simply spent too much taround Alexander, and somewhere along the way, she'd started to believe she was good enough.

Now she was chasing a pipe dream, thinking she could becDr. Sterling's graduate student.

To anyone truly dedicated to academic research, Elodie's half-hearted attitude was deeply irritating.

Maurice glanced over at Jarrod. "Looks like she's hit a wall. Should we be charitable and give her a lift?" Jarrod didn't even look up from his laptop, his eyes fixed on the screen, showing no interest in the Sterling estate as they drove past.

His tone was cold. "You want to get out and give her your seat?" Clearly, he had no intention of helping Elodie.

Sylvie couldn't help but laugh at Jarrod's response.

"Maurice, that's on you. She's already been embarrassed enough. If we show up now, won't that just make her feel worse?" Sylvie crossed her legs, raising an eyebrow as she spoke.

Maurice gave another click of his tongue. "You always notice these things. Good point." Sylvie stopped by the hospital.

Selma had cback after her art exhibition. She was so worried about her health that even when nothing seemed wrong, she'd have the nurses run extra checks, just in case.

But what really lingered on her mind was Elodie's talk of grad school.

She couldn't help but ask, "What do you think she's up to? Has she got something else planned?" "No," Sylvie answered, setting her purse on the sofa, her expression cool and proud. "I saw her get turned away by the Sterlings today. It was humiliating." Selma's lips curled in amusement. "So Elodie just said all that to save face. With so many people watching, she wanted to put on a show. Alexander might get swept up by her looks, but Charlie certainly won't." Sylvie agreed. She'd never seen Elodie as a threat. Elodie didn't even qualify as a real opponent.

Still.

Sylvie glanced over at Selma. "Your paintings-all good?" Selma knew exactly what she meant. She smoothed her blouse and shrugged dismissively. "That's all ancient history. Winifred's been gone for years. You think she'll rise from the grave to cafter me?" Sylvie didn't comment, and let the matter drop.

The second exhibition, coming up in a few months, was far more important. If it went well, not only would they recoup every cent invested in Neural Intelligence, they'd also cement their place among high society.

The Thorne family? They'd been fading for years.

From now on, all they could do was watch from the sidelines.

For the past two days, Elodie had been running on pure adrenaline, reviewing all the books she needed to cover. Alexander and Esmeralda, knowing she needed to study, did their best to take on extra work themselves. Elodie, of course, wasn't about to let her personal life interfere with business, so when Alexander had to meet a new partner, she offered to calong.

As the soon-to-be project manager, she needed to get familiar with every aspect. The meeting went smoothly. Alexander's team had a lunch engagement afterward, but Elodie didn't drink and had work to finish back at the office, so she skipped the second round.

Esmeralda asked her to pick up spastries from a nearby café on her way back.

So Elodie changed direction and headed out.

The café near Global Trade Plaza was always busy. After placing her order through the app, she had to wait a while.

Just as she walked in, Reba Harcourt spotted her. Reba's eyes swept over Elodie from head to toe, her voice edged with mockery. "What a coincidence." Elodie glanced over, her gaze cool and indifferent, offering no response. She also noticed Ivan cin right behind Reba.

Ivan's eyes lingered on Elodie for a moment before he approached, calm and collected. "Here on business?" Elodie looked toward the counter, checking the order status. She had no interest in chatting.

Ivan didn't seem to mind. He motioned for Reba to go order first.

Reba shot Elodie a look filled with resentment and jealousy before begrudgingly heading to the register.

Ivan, hands in his pockets, leaned in. "I hear Neural Intelligence is making waves lately-lots of companies m interested in collaborating. Nobody turns down money. TerraGreen, the Harcourt Group-we're all looking to talk." Elodie met his eyes, her own gaze icy.

So the rumors were true: Ivan and Malcolm Harcourt were among those hoping to partner with Neural Intelligence.

Even knowing full well that Sylvie was the woman who'd destroyed her marriage. What a joke.

A man she'd grown up with, closer than blood-her brother in everything but name.

And her own father.

Both now supporting the woman who'd been the other woman in her marriage.

Elodie looked away, expression cold, and went to collect her pastries when her number was called.

She had nothing to say to any of them.

As she turned to leave, Ivan stepped in front of her, blocking her path with one long stride. If you don't want this, just say so. There's still room to talk." Elodie didn't even blink. She didn't care about any of this anymore. She tossed out a dismissive, "Do what you want."

Ivan's previously pleasant expression darkened. Without warning, he m grabbed her arm smoothly prying her phone from her hand before she could react. Elodie, caught off guard, scowled and reached to snatch it back.

But Ivan had already dialed a number on her phone.

His own phone buzzed in his pocket.