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

his thoughts. "You think he

no interest in debating such questions. The facts were plain: Watts had been the first

the

relief washed over his face, though he

guilt-for all the people at

sorry. This was

her over, then gently ruffled her hair. "Don't blame yourself. No one wanted this to

couldn't even muster a

about this

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

take over right now. But she'd

it's lost?" Jarrod lifted his eyes at last, rolling an

and Alexander both turned

called from the doorway. "What

holding the pearl earring

Watts's face, cold

the look, crossing to the bedside to set the earring gently on the table. "Are you feeling any better?" His concern was

him. Because of her, Watts had lost