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."

his inner turmoil, Elodie shook his hand lightly. "No need to thank me, Joseph.

his choice. "If Freya ever runs into trouble, would it be alright

a soft spot

he linger. He left VistaLink Technologies and returned to where he

had gone, Elodie's

from Watts Aldridge—the first he'd ever sent since they'd added

is Watts Aldridge. Congratulations to VistaLink Technologies on your milestone achievement. I was wondering if you'd be available sometime soon-I'd like to invite you to lunch on behalf of Eldrion Global to discuss your system's patents and your plans for

a major defense

She replied: [Certainly, Mr. Aldridge. Just let me know

office midway through the afternoon with a quick update. "The Harcourt Group and TerraGreen Solutions both requested meetings for today. Malcom Harcourt and his son Ivan aren't even

look up from

did. Just thought I'd let you

a single decent person in the Harcourt

Elodie didn't comment.