Elodie cast a cool, indifferent glance at Maurice.

Joseph glanced at Elodie, then said, "This really isn't something Ms. Thorne needs to handle."

This was work for the staff, not her.

Alexander and Elodie immediately understood what Maurice was getting at.

Just moments ago, Maurice had been singing Sylvie's praises, calling her a rising star, full of promise-and now, he was assigning Elodie these petty, menial tasks. The message couldn't have been clearer.

She and Sylvie were worlds apart.

Elodie knew all too well: ever since that scandal-climbing into Jarrod's bed, blackmailing a journalist, forcing a marriage-everyone here had looked at her with barely concealed disgust. To them, she was only fit to atone for her supposed sins.

Maurice tapped his forehead, feigning innocence. "No offense. I just thought, since Ms. Thorne was a homemaker for three years, she'd probably be more skilled than the rest of us."

Elodie couldn't help but glance at Jarrod.

Did he really not notice the way those around him belittled her?

But then, Jarrod had never cared about her feelings.

Just like now-he remained detached, as if none of this concerned him.

Because, in truth, he'd never really thought of her as his wife.

in a silent, chilly smile. She replied, "If you're

Maurice's smile froze.

expected Elodie to throw the sarcasm right back at him, out in the open. She was nothing like the meek woman she

turned away-

second, a trace of a smile-wry,

vanished as quickly as it

Elodie was momentarily stunned.

just

after all these years—they could probably count on one

been

look and said,

back to

going to just take

letting Alexander do such chores. "Mr. Sterling, you must

everyone that Alexander

more than siding-was he actually... fond

Was Alexander interested

trying to figure him out. If this was just a

attention, Alexander raised his glass and nodded coolly in

undercurrents. She handed a skewer of mushrooms to Freya, who'd been quietly eating with her head down the

always observant-she noticed the little things, like what

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