How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Klein and the others were still deep in conversation about policy, oblivious to what was unfolding at their table.

Leaning back in his chair, Jarrod responded to Watts' earlier remark with an easy, unhurried smile. "Mr. Aldridge is a good man-no worries there. I'll continue to support our country's space program in every way I can. Whatever resources are needed, I'll make sure they're provided. I won't let my wife exhaust herself, so Mr. Aldridge can focus on his research without distraction."

His words were like a gentle push, steering the conversation without confrontation.

Watts understood men like Jarrod all too well-men whose minds were fathomless, impossible to outmaneuver. There was a reason why, in their social circles, people would say that among the sons of old families, most were left chasing the scraps left in Jarrod's wake.

With a nonchalant shrug, Watts raised his glass toward Jarrod. "You have my word, Mr. Silverstein. Rest assured."

Both men remained composed, the atmosphere so calm that an outsider would never guess at the tension simmering beneath the surface.

Across the table, Lily watched closely. She noticed a flicker of something hungry in Watts' gaze when he looked at Elodie—a glint of ambition, unmistakable once you saw it.

The realization unsettled her so much that the gourmet food in front of her suddenly lost all appeal.

As for Elodie, she couldn't be bothered to chime in. Her attention was caught by Klein, who was discussing some of the technical barriers currently stalling progress in aerospace.

It was the same old story: foreign monopolies on crucial materials and

issues she'd wrestled with five years ago, and clearly,

broken... it

Whitaker! I thought it might be you," called a cheerful

waving at Elodie with a bright smile.

present, so she made her rounds, shaking hands and greeting everyone with

place. I just found out you

all. Pull up a chair and join

to Jarrod's side,

didn't take her hand. He replied coolly, "No need to stand on ceremony, Miss Aldridge. We

hand with a graceful flick.

to Watts, who

"I forgot to mention- Mr. Silverstein and I have known each other

gave her a sideways glance. "Is

went to college together," Patricia said, her eyes narrowing in fond recollection. "Both of us graduated from MIT. He was the of the campus, you know-finished dual PhDs in finance and economics at twenty-three. I was just

the arts back

e talk

following the usual path."

about Jarrod he'd always been several steps ahead of