How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 576

Elodie instinctively furrowed her brow. Running into Jarrod here, under these circumstances, didn't feel right at all.

She didn't bother to guess what Jarrod was thinking-she simply turned on her heel and headed for the door.

After all, if anyone was going to be troubled by this mess, it would be him.

She'd barely reached the staircase when she caught sight of the matriarch sitting stiffly on the living room sofa, her face cold as she gave orders to the staff. "Are we letting just anyone waltz in these days? If they don't want to leave, let them wait."

Normally, the old lady was warm and approachable, but when it came to handling problems, she had a ruthlessness that brooked no compromise.

She never gave second chances; negotiation wasn't in her vocabulary.

Lucinda stood beside her, face blank, making no move to intervene.

By now, Lucinda understood perfectly well-Sylvie had lost, and lost badly. In Lucinda's eyes, Sylvie was not up to the task, not someone you could trust with real responsibility.

So, when Elodie came down the stairs, Lucinda's expression didn't change, but a flicker of something unreadable passed through her eyes.

For years, Elodie had kept her aces close to her chest. Not once had she revealed anything of her true strength.

That kind of self-control was rare.

In the end, Lucinda felt almost ridiculous, like a fool caught in someone else's game.

but a mix of resentment and anger simmered beneath the

waved Elodie over, her tone unexpectedly

the door, and Elodie acted

was clear. Whatever they chose to do had

didn't seem bothered by the matriarch's way of handling things. Stopping at her side, he

expected Jarrod to be so calm about the whole

still out

the whole situation growing

her voice, not wanting the matriarch to overhear. "It's really coming

cool look. "If you're not hungry, I can have someone drive you

Octavia's face went rigid.

her complaints. Now was not the timez to risk offending Elodie. She was easy to placate; give her a little kindness and she'd return to the cheerful girl she used to be. Octavia

She'd stopped by Rosewood Chateau first, but found it empty, so

house

who was inside. When she rang the bell,

and told her

heart sank, her face going deathly

refusing to see

believed in was crumbling right before her eyes. She couldn't accept

reckless defiance, she tossed aside her umbrella and let the rain soak

If Jarrod saw her like this, he'd have to