How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 257

Klein's eyes widened in surprise as he gave Elodie a careful once-over. "Impressive, Ms. Thorne. So young, and already making a name for yourself."

He couldn't help thinking she was no ordinary engineer-after all, Alexander wouldn't pay so much attention to just anyone.

Across from him, Raleigh turned her way as well, looking Elodie up and down with mounting approval. "You know, Ms. Thorne, you've got quite the presence- striking looks and real poise. Are you and Alexander together, by any chance?"

Though well into his eighties, Raleigh's voice carried with the energy of someone decades younger. His question was loud enough for the nearby guests to catch the gist, earning a few curious glances.

Even Jarrod looked up, his gaze lingering on Elodie.

Alexander rubbed the bridge of his nose, catching Jarrod's reaction out of the corner of his eye. His lips curled with amusement as he leaned in conspiratorially to the two elders and said in a low voice, "No, nothing like that... at least, not yet."

Raleigh's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, you'd better hurry up! This young woman's a real catch-smart, capable, and lovely to boot. I bet plenty of fellows have their eye on her. You don't want to be left in the dust when someone else sweeps her off her feet!"

At that, Joseph instinctively glanced over at Elodie, his lips thinning into a tight line. He shifted his gaze to where Jarrod stood at an angle, watching carefully.

Jarrod, though, was listening to Sylvie, his head dipped as she spoke. Maybe he hadn't heard Raleigh's booming suggestion-or maybe he had, and simply didn't

care.

leaned in closer to Joseph, nudging him. “Honestly, Elodie's got a lot going for her. I bet there are

barely changed as he

hand. “You really do wear your indifference on your

Elias and Naylor entered from the

to greet Jarrod and the

nodded in acknowledgment.

heard about him before. With

a

you planning to settle down in the States, Mr.

detached.

him, lowering her gaze

like to follow me, the drone fireworks show is about to start in

had already heard about the

birthday celebration, he'd arranged a special fireworks show using drones, going so far as to invite

these drone displays-there were versions for entertainment and even