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.

curled in a silent, chilly smile. She replied, "If you're having trouble with your hands, Mr.

Maurice's smile froze.

back at him, out in

face, Elodie turned away- only to lock eyes with

of a smile-wry, almost amused

as quickly as it

Elodie was momentarily stunned.

Jarrod... just smiled

all these years—they could probably count on one hand the number of times he'd truly

never been able

awkward silence. He shot Maurice a look and said, "Mr. Nilsson, is there something you'd like? I could grill it for

to attention, suddenly feeling

wasn't going to

of letting Alexander do such chores. "Mr. Sterling,

obvious to everyone that Alexander was

than siding-was he

Alexander

figure him out. If this was just a normal

glass and nodded coolly

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

noticed the little

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