How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie was genuinely taken aback by his bluntness. Rubbing her temples in

exasperation, she realized she had little reason to come looking for him in the first place. "If it's inconvenient, then forget it."

After all, this SX Alloy project was going to be a long-term endeavor. Nothing would be decided overnight.

If he wasn't willing, it wasn't as if she could force him at knifepoint.

Just as she was about to hang up-

"The Silverstein Group. I'll wait for you."

It was as if Jarrod had read her mind, his tone leisurely as he spoke, and then- before she could say anything else he hung up.

With her answer in hand, Elodie didn't bother to revisit their earlier conversation. She swung her car around and headed straight for the Silverstein Group building.

It had been a long time since she last set foot in the Silverstein Group's headquarters. Now, as she walked into the lobby, the crowd surged around her, but more than a few heads turned, their eyes following every step she took.

At the reception desk, the staff were all professionalism and respect. One of them gave a deferential gesture. "Mrs. Silverstein, you can take Mr. Silverstein's private elevator."

Elodie accepted their courtesy with a polite nod and stepped into the elevator.

her identity was public knowledge, the change in people's attitudes was impossible to miss outward

the secretarial department. The assistants inside were busy with their work, but

all, Elodie had once been the Silverstein Group's PR manager-a role with virtually no connection to Mr. Silverstein himself. She'd always kept a low profile. Who could have

wondering if they'd ever managed to offend her in the

were

or Keith around, so she

she pushed the door open, Jarrod just happened to look up from behind his desk, slipping off a pair of rimless safety glasses as he did. "Have you eaten?

need. I'm here to discuss some work matters." Elodie sat down on

then got up and moved to sit

probably know why I'm here." Elodie had figured it out. Back at that dinner the other night, he'd clearly overheard the conversation about

glanced at her. "They sent you to try

the subject.

didn't answer right away. It was impossible to

in a hurry.

quietly, "I do

How

all, once this was finalized, it would involve a staggering sum-hundreds of millions over the next decade. Nothing to take

back home. For two

office fell

wondered if she'd misheard. Her perfectly arched