NovelUpdateShe was just stating the facts.
Queenie shot Ivan a look of surprise-how was it possible she'd never known Elodie had been married? Ivan narrowed his eyes, taking in the obvious tension between Elodie and Jarrod. He knew Elodie well enough to see she was not the type to lose her composure- unless someone truly pushed her to the edge.
Just like now.
He leaned in abruptly and took away the coconut water sitting by Elodie's hand. "She doesn't drink coconut water," he said, matter-of-fact.
Jarrod was turned away, listening to Sylvie, and it was impossible to tell if he'd heard.
Elodie glanced at Ivan.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe had to admit-nobody understood her better than he did.
Queenie, feeling a stab of something she couldn't name, teased, "You're so good to your sister." Ivan pulled her closer, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he whispered something in her ear. Queenie gave him a playful shove, half-laughing, half- pouting.
Elodie watched the two of them, then turned to look at Jarrod.
Jarrod showed no reaction at all.
She knew him well-if something didn't matter to him, he simply dismissed it from his mind.
Jarrod and Sylvie were the first to leave. As they did, Jarrod turned to Alexander and said, "Mr. Sterling, would you mind stepping outside for a word?" Alexander-never one to refuse a polite request-nodded. "Of course." Elodie knew better than to follow.
Ivan and Queenie stood to go as well. As Elodie collected her things, her gaze landed on the keychain dangling from Queenie's phone case-a tiny, intricate model airplane.
She froze.
She recognized it instantly. She'd made it herself, back when she was a teenager -spending a week on the little project, her fingers rubbed raw by the end.
Ivan had treasured it. She remembered how upset and worried he'd been to see her hands bandaged and red. Now, as Ivan noticed her staring at the charm, he patted Queenie's arm. "Wait forin the car." Queenie gave him a thoughtful look, then nodded. "Don't take too long." As soon as she was gone, Ivan turned to Elodie. "She really liked it, so I gave it to her. You don't mind, do you?" Elodie blinked, her voice even. "I don't mind." Ivan studied her, noting the cool distance in her tone.
He clicked his tongue, then tried, "If you really don't mind, could you makeanother one? She's been wanting a matching set, but I can't find anything like it." Elodie truly didn't care anymore.
But Ivan's unreasonable request made her frown despite herself.
A pulse throbbed at her temple. She looked at him and said, "Then just lose that one and go buy her a matching set." Just then, Alexander returned, his expression grim.
He saw the look on Elodie's face and his frown deepened. "What's wrong?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmElodie took his arm and steered him toward the exit. "Nothing. Let's go home." Ivan didn't stop them, but slipped his hands in his pockets, his eyes drifting to where Jarrod and Sylvie stood side by side. His expression grew unreadable.
A nearby executive, nervous, asked, "Mr. Harcourt, is something wrong?" Ivan rubbed his temples. "It's nothing. Let's go." Back at VistaLink Technologies, Elodie finally learned what had happened.
Jarrod had specifically sought out Alexander-for one reason: he wanted Alexander to arrange a meeting with Dr. Charlie!
"Jarrod wants Sylvie to meet my old man-he even toldto nmy O price! Anything within his power, he'll N.O do it. Sylvie wants to write a research paper and hopes the professor will be her advisor," Alexander scoffed. "She really thinks she's worthy?" Elodie was silent for a long moment.
For Sylvie, Jarrod was willing to go this far...
Everyone knew what it meant for Jarrod to owe a favor. The value was beyond measure.
It was clear: no matter what outrageous terms Alexander might demand, Jarrod would agree-gladly, if it was for Sylvie.
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