How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Alexander arched an eyebrow, glancing in Elodie's direction before speaking at an unhurried pace. "You flatter me, truly. I'm not the developer of U.N2. At best, I was a witness and played a small part."

The confession left those nearby visibly stunned.

Questions erupted at once.

Alexander simply waved them off. "Apologies, but I can't say more."

Just as he managed to send the curious on their way, he realized Jarrod and his group had arrived at some point-and they'd clearly overheard everything.

Maurice looked the most shaken. "You mean to say U.N2 wasn't developed by Mr. Sterling? If not you, who else could it possibly be?"

Sylvie was just as surprised.

They'd always assumed the brilliant young mind behind U.N2 was someone like Alexander-after all, no one else in their generation could compare. On top of that, he was the only son of Dr. Charlie Sterling, which only cemented their belief. Everything pointed to Alexander.

"Are you joking, Mr. Sterling?" Sylvie's voice carried a note of disbelief, though she managed a polite smile. "There's no one else in our field with your reputation."

Jarrod watched Alexander with a thoughtful, unreadable gaze, withholding comment for the moment.

Grady, standing nearby, frowned. "Come on, Mr. Sterling. Don't sell yourself short. We all know U.N2 is military-grade tech. I can't believe you're not at the heart of it."

Alexander's attention shifted to Sylvie. He looked her up and down, subtle but unmistakable, and replied, "I'm telling the truth."

in

turned everything they thought they knew

in the world could

a loss. "Then, Mr. Sterling, could you perhaps introduce

only offered a cryptic

sought was standing right in front

before making her way back. As she drew closer, she noticed

But then-

her steps, her

turned, and Sylvie also

a moment, a hush fell over the

brow furrowed in confusion, broke the silence. "Elodie, did you realize you're wearing the

eyes fell on the two

the same pale lavender

darkened instantly; her irritation

to show up in the exact same designer dress. There were only two of these in the entire

something flickering in his dark

She'd noticed the way Jarrod's brow had creased and then smoothed over; she guessed he

feeling awkward as well, especially at an event like this. "Just a coincidence," she

"Of all people, it's Sylvie you match with. Are you trying to

had

an interest in drones, now she was copying her sense of style? To pull a stunt like this at such a high-profile event-did Elodie have