How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 157

Maurice was the first to notice Elodie. He arched an eyebrow but still offered a greeting. "What a coincidence."

Elodie spared him only a fleeting glance before taking Esmeralda by the arm and steering her away.

Clearly, she had no intention of engaging.

Maurice had never liked her much-his past attitude toward her had always been tinged with contempt. Out of respect for Jarrod, she used to swallow her pride, but now, there was no reason for her to keep up the pretense.

As for Esmeralda, she had even less interest in acknowledging Grady. The two of them ignored the men completely, not even pretending to be polite.

Maurice was a little surprised by this, though not offended.

Elodie's temperament had grown sharper lately.

Was this her new tactic for winning Jarrod over?

On New Year's Eve, she hadn't even bothered bringing them the usual hangover remedy. Jarrod had guessed right after all.

"Don't you think Elodie's gotten a bit arrogant?" Grady muttered, frowning in confusion. "It's like she doesn't even see us anymore."

Maurice found himself at a loss.

Was Elodie just trying a different approach to get attention, or was something else going on?

treating them as if they

be stupid enough to deliberately get

deciding it wasn't worth dwelling

treatment, but Elodie was already starting to feel drained after only a short time

quickly noticed something was off and steered her to the lounge area. "Sit here and rest for a bit. I'll go find

Elodie nodded in agreement.

wasn't feeling up to much

when she needed to take her medication. She reached into her purse just as someone stepped in front of

doing over here?" Ivan's voice was sharp,

snapping her purse shut before meeting his deep-set gaze. "I don't recall needing your permission

along his teeth. "Well, look at you, Elodie. Got a bit of backbone

lowered her eyes, making it obvious she had no interest in explaining

wrist. "Come

expression shifted as she instinctively tried to pull away. "Let go! You have no right to interfere—I'm not

worked up about her being here. It was just a charity gala-what was

grew

the eyes. "Ivan, I'm not the little sister who needs your protection and control anymore. I don't need

their separate ways a long

right to

a flicker of

quickly recovered, his