How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie had no idea what anyone else was thinking, so she simply followed Charlie to the front row.

On the way, Charlie said in a low, cold voice, "If Waldron gives you a hard time again, come straight to me."

Elodie found it funny how seriously Charlie took the whole thing, but she nodded obediently.

Once they reached their seats, Elodie scanned the room and immediately spotted Sylvie chatting with a few of the heavyweights and editors on the other side.

She kept quiet and sat down.

Meanwhile, Sylvie was in conversation with an editor she'd just been introduced to by Grady.

The editor was polite. "We can talk in more detail after this session. Ms. Fielding, have you had a chance to read any of the recent papers published?"

Sylvie hesitated. She'd been swamped lately, barely squeezing in a rushed trip to Hokkaido. After returning from New York, she'd meant to look into one of the example papers, but it kept getting pushed down her list.

"Not yet," she admitted.

The editor gave her a meaningful look. "You might want to check them out. There's been quite the battle of the titans lately."

That piqued Sylvie's curiosity.

She went online to scan the academic networks, and sure enough, a paper in one of the top journals caught her eye. Sylvie was surprised-had one of the big names published something recently?

This journal was as prestigious as they came; only a select few ever made it in. No wonder the editor had said what he did.

just starting out, after all, and the authors who published in journals like these were practically legends. There was no

at her seat, Sylvie was visibly in a good mood. Events like this were a chance to meet new people,

a ripple of excitement through the crowd. It had

curious herself. She leaned over and whispered to Jarrod, "What brings Mr. Ferguson

a couple of days ago.

faint smile tugged at Sylvie's lips.

to be considering her as his student,

with Jarrod inviting him to the event, it was clear he wanted to raise her profile. If

definitely looking

The event officially began.

and Waldron, the star guests of the academic world, were naturally expected to

as one

the atmosphere go cold. The major guests were introduced one by one. The university

in

seated up front, turned to Sylvie with a wide grin. "That certainly

your paper, Ms. Fielding."

Sylvie just smiled quietly.

president pulled up one of the papers and displayed it on

big screen.

particular work is

tremendous academic value. Its