Elodie wasn't feeling well.

Her condition had already been unstable, and she'd pushed herself to prepare for this evening's gala-only for Jarrod to show up with Sylvie and throw her completely off balance.

A feverish heat crept through her body. She fumbled in her purse for her

medication and swallowed two pills without thinking, hoping to stifle the pain twisting in her abdomen.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she finally noticed Alexander's second call lighting up her phone.

"Alex?"

"Where are you?"

Elodie glanced at her reflection in the mirror; she looked pale, almost sickly. "Outside. I'll be back in a minute."

"There's a discussion panel starting can you join us here?"

"Sure, I'm coming now."

She dabbed on a bit more makeup, making sure she looked presentable before stepping out.

Mr. Patrick, the central figure of tonight's discussion, was already there when Elodie arrived. Jarrod and Sylvie were deep in conversation with him, laughing as if they'd known each other for years.

Elodie made her way to Alexander's side. As soon as there was an opening, Alexander led her over to Mr. Patrick.

to speak to him directly. Alexander leaned in

"So you're " He quickly reined in his surprise, remembering discretion, and couldn't help but remark, "No wonder Mr. Sterling speaks so highly of Ms. Thorne. I must admit, I failed to see it

smiled politely. "It's an honor to finally meet you,

group took

possibly have

a smirk, glancing at Sylvie. "She doesn't understand policy, knows nothing about tech, and couldn't care less about the core of VistaLink Technologies. Yet here she is, chatting away

just smiled, saying nothing. She understood Maurice's implication—he was accusing Elodie of imitating her, trying to emulate her easy

low voice, she said to Jarrod,

curled in a faint, knowing smile. "If

his meaning, and her smile turned genuinely

a strange sense of unease. He gave Elodie a long, searching look, then turned to Jarrod. "Don't you think Elodie's been

rim of his teacup, recalling the

didn't come

cooking

called

last. Some people act out because someone always

the end, she'd come

matter?" he

was taken aback, then fell

staff began distributing pamphlets introducing the various companies' core technology

Patrick had been speaking quietly with Elodie when someone turned to her and asked,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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