How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 360

Joseph understood Elodie's unspoken meaning almost immediately.

The reason The Delacroix Group secured the patent so smoothly had nothing to do with VistaLink Technologies doing him any favors. It was simply because he'd once helped Elodie. After this, though, there'd be no more goodwill.

He looked at her calm, composed face, fully aware that her recent politeness wasn't genuine friendship. He took a long moment before nodding. "I understand."

He'd known from the very beginning that Elodie would never see him as anything more than a business associate. Being Jarrod's friend, what did he really expect? The truth was, even if something ever did happen between him and Elodie, he doubted he could handle it. He'd known Jarrod for more than a decade-there was no way he'd throw away that friendship, nor would he risk burning bridges with The Silverstein Group.

Yet people always hope for the impossible, convincing themselves they can somehow have it all, even when they know better. In circles like theirs, where everyone was raised to prioritize personal gain and elite advantage, who really risked everything for love? Who would jeopardize their standing or throw away a comfortable future for a woman?

He admired remarkable women, but Elodie was his friend's wife. That was the line. He would never cross it.

And, of course, he knew he'd never been among Elodie's options anyway.

Joseph stood, fixing his gaze on her. He extended his hand. "Ms. Thorne, thank you for giving The Delacroix Group this opportunity."

lightly. "No

hand, gave it a subtle squeeze, then let go, having made his choice. "If Freya ever

spot

He left

gone,

message from Watts Aldridge—the first he'd ever sent since they'd added each other as

wondering if you'd be available sometime soon-I'd like to invite you to lunch on behalf

a major

replied: [Certainly, Mr. Aldridge. Just let

for today. Malcom Harcourt and his son Ivan aren't even really in this industry- they're just trying to cash in on the latest trend. Now they want a piece of

from her

"Already did. Just thought I'd let you know

a single decent person

Elodie didn't comment.