How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 647

Nurses and doctors shuffled in and out of the room.

At last, only Jarrod and Elodie remained.

Jarrod tossed Watts's jacket aside. His gaze fell on Elodie's torn, wrinkled blouse and the angry red marks blooming along her shoulder and neck—finger-shaped, unmistakable.

Up until this moment, he'd managed to keep his emotions under control. Now, a storm broke inside him, his eyes hardening as if lashed by wind and frost.

He stared at the bruises on her skin for a long time before finally speaking; his voice was rough and strained, as if he'd forced the words up through a clenched throat. "Do you blame me for losing the VistaLink Technologies bid?"

Elodie had already overheard the announcement from the corridor when she left that room. She wouldn't pretend she felt nothing-of course she did. Still, she knew this particular contract wasn't vital enough to make or break The Silverstein Group.

"It wasn't your intention," she replied, her face still pale but her tone remarkably cool and steady. "But it did happen because of you."

After all, the attack had been aimed at Jarrod. She couldn't deny that.

Jarrod didn't attempt to argue.

Elodie turned to stare out the window. "And because Watts tried to save me, Eldrion Global lost their shot too."

Jarrod's eyes, a current gathering beneath the surface until it took

thoughts. "You think he

debating such questions. The facts were plain: Watts had been the first to arrive, and

get the chance

visibly shaken. When he saw Elodie unharmed, relief washed over

was suddenly overwhelmed by guilt-for all the people at VistaLink Technologies who'd poured days

I'm sorry. This was my

tinged with panic as he checked her over, then gently ruffled her hair. "Don't blame yourself. No one wanted this to happen. You're the victim here. VistaLink Technologies will have plenty of other opportunities.

even

had cared about this

Silverstein Group had won or whether the attack was meant as revenge against Jarrod-it didn't matter. She knew exactly who

her emotions take over right now. But she'd left that stage

eyes at last, rolling

both turned to look

could process his words, a voice called from the doorway.

had arrived, holding the pearl earring Elodie had

Watts's face, cold

bedside to set the earring gently on the table. "Are

no idea how to face him. Because of her, Watts had lost a