How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 671

When you're trying to network, a drink or two is pretty much unavoidable.

Anticipating this, Esmeralda had the waiter prepare some mocktails for Elodie to pass off as the real thing.

Esmeralda herself, though, made the rounds with a glass in hand.

It wasn't long before the alcohol caught up with her, leaving her a little

lightheaded. "We traded a few contacts," she said, her words a little slurred but satisfied. "I'd say we made some headway tonight. Productive, really."

Elodie handed her a glass of water and patted her on the back. "It's fine. Just relax, okay? Take it easy."

Esmeralda seemed mostly fine, just rubbed her temples and muttered, "I'm going to the bathroom-be right back."

Elodie watched her go, a flicker of concern crossing her face.

She turned away, only to spot Ivan approaching from across the room.

He was still in the middle of a toast with someone, but his eyes landed on Elodie.

As Ivan started to make his way over, Elodie pretended not to notice and slipped off in the opposite direction, effectively blocking his approach.

He gripped his

eye?" someone asked, raising

of his trance, Ivan gave a nonchalant

man's eyes lit up

gave an easy, careless smile, saying

time chatting with the CEO of an Al firm. Clean energy was the new frontier, after all, and the potential was enormous. Their visions for

contacts, Elodie realized Esmeralda still

of the waiter who'd helped Esmeralda earlier. "Excuse me, did you

elmét

Mercer? I actually helped her to a lounge; rest. She was feeling dizzy, so someone escorted her there He pointed down a

followed his gesture. The event had booked the entire third floor, and there was a lounge

She frowned. "Which room?"

unwell, why hadn't she called? Surely she could

and, with a quick bow, he hurried off

with a nagging sense of unease. As she made her way toward the lounge, she

silent, so it wasn't unusual to have trouble

tried a video call instead

on

turned easily, and the door