How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

When Esmeralda saw who had arrived, her face darkened. "Grady Mercer, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Grady frowned, shooting her a warning look. "Ms. Fielding came here in good faith. Is this how you treat your guests-by locking them out?"

His eyes landed on Elodie, and for a split second, he looked genuinely surprised.

Elodie stood tall and slender, her posture graceful and refined, betraying a childhood of good upbringing. Her dark curls were tucked neatly behind her ears, and her fair skin made her sharp features stand out even more, despite the understated makeup. Those cool, almond-shaped eyes gave her an air of untouchable poise.

She was beautiful in a way that was impossible to ignore.

"Don't tell me she's your so-called VIP?" Grady scoffed in disbelief. "She's just a housewife good for doing laundry and dishes, nothing else. And you're ignoring Ms. Fielding for her?"

Grady knew Elodie. After all, she was his sister Esmeralda's best friend. He also knew she was married, though to whom, he wasn't sure. He remembered being struck by her looks before and had looked into her a bit. Turned out, she was just a pretty face-nice to look at, but not much else.

Not like Sylvie.

Women as exceptional as Sylvie were a rare breed.

a say in VistaLink Technologies' business?" Esmeralda shot back, her voice dripping with

rumors started swirling about Sylvie and Jarrod, this genius went out drinking and

another glance at Elodie before saying, with a hint of meaning, "I just can't stand the attitude here. Ms. Fielding has always respected U.N2 and wanted to meet Mr. Sterling. Isn't it a good thing for accomplished people to work together? But you're wasting time on a housewife? Is that really the

hell is she to judge? She can leave, and so can you. Don't pollute the room with your stupidity," Esmeralda snapped, half-laughing in exasperation. "Esmeralda!" Grady's temper flared as he turned to Alexander. He couldn't bear the thought of Sylvie still waiting downstairs.

eyes glinting. "I'm curious, Grady-which of you

what Alexander was getting

had the self-awareness to see

a glare before storming

the whole Sylvie situation left her unsettled. She had a feeling this

tried to soften Alexander and Esmeralda's words, Sylvie

pressed her lips together, thoughtful. Had she somehow offended VistaLink Technologies? Ever since she'd returned to the country, every top-tier professional she met had praised her—was this company just taking a

and gave him a quick

worry. I'll take care of

up to speed on everything about VistaLink Technologies, mentally sketching out a plan

this for herself, not for anyone else for once, truly

Jarrod and Ivan's drama faded