How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod Silverstein's eyes softened as they finally settled on Watts Aldridge's face.

Watts had moved to stand on Elodie Thorne's other side, his brow furrowed as he addressed Klein Whitaker. "I really don't think Elodie would do something so reckless,” he said. "Just as Mr. Silverstein pointed out-even if the numbers look seriously off right now, the materials Mr. Silverstein submitted all meet the standards. If Elodie wanted to negotiate better terms for Mr. Silverstein's company, she'd have plenty of other ways to do it. She wouldn't risk everything on an issue this big."

He was clearly speaking in Elodie's defense.

Turning, Watts offered her a reassuring glance, his tone calm and steady. "Don't worry. The higher-ups will get to the bottom of this."

Klein, too, was inclined to believe Elodie wasn't at fault. After all, she was Charlie Sterling's prized student-her character had always been beyond reproach.

"Head office assigned you full responsibility for this project, right? All the data passed through your hands?"

"Yes," Elodie replied evenly. "I recorded every data point myself. My team consolidated the information, but I reviewed every final report."

Klein's frown deepened.

"It's okay. I'll cooperate with the investigation," Elodie added, keeping her composure.

There was no sign of panic in her voice-she was still steady and in control.

Klein nodded, his brows still knitted. "Given what's happened, we'll have to follow protocol and question everyone involved. The execs will make the final call."

Falsifying data was a serious matter within the organization. Even the smallest discrepancy was absolutely intolerable.

the observation area, her tone light and breezy. "I doubt she'd let her personal life cloud her

met Patricia's gaze,

and murmured

his voice low, for her

Elodie. As husband and wife, any hint of preferential treatment was strictly forbidden, no matter

the investigation found evidence of improper

She

watched them go, still

Elodie as rational and level-headed. How could something like this have happened

out to be

grave. "If there's conclusive evidence,

be suspended while

if the fallout

the fact

the company's reputation had already taken@ hit. No matter that the field results were fine-once suspicion of data manipulation

submissions

to be

could move forward

would be

a careless oversight rather