How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Malcom looked utterly stunned.

He never expected Jarrod to speak to him with such cold cruelty.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face turning even paler. "Fine, you can have them. But I want to see the money in my account first."

He was starting to understand-Elodie really did have influence if Jarrod was willing to go this far for her.

Forcing a stiff smile, Malcom tried to play nice, biting back his frustration. "Jarrod, come on, this project was your idea in the first place. Now that things have gone sideways, you can't just turn your back on me—professionally or personally. After all, I'm Elodie's father. For her sake, you ought to help, don't you think?"

He was desperate now, completely out of options.

The disaster at that project had come out of nowhere, and the repayment deadline was bearing down on him fast.

If he didn't fix this soon, The Harcourt Group would be finished.

Jarrod leaned back in his chair, tapping his knuckles against the desk. "If President Harcourt had shown Elodie any real affection, maybe you and I would still have something to discuss. But since you mean nothing to her now, tell me— why should I clean up your mess?"

Malcom's face looked sickly.

But he'd spent years maneuvering in the business world; he could tell that, beneath Jarrod's hard shell, he was still protecting Elodie.

Clearly, Jarrod cared about her reputation-hence the demand for the photos.

I've got even more-stuff with real bite. Here's my offer: you wire me eight million, just enough

it out in his

that money, he could appease his most

urgent ones and had some cash

long as things didn't spiral out of control, he still had a shot at

creditors-local companies in Eldermere knew he was Jarrod's father-in-law and would probably cut

money from my personal account," Jarrod said

a level gaze, his tone steady and unyielding. "As for

he'd gotten what

with me, Mr Silverstein. Don't worry I know you're a man of your word. I wouldn't

fact that Malcom carried something like this around didn't escape Jarrod's

cold glint flickered in Jarrod's

wouldn't dare

past dragged out into

bomb; this had to be dealt with

glancing at the card in his hand,

wanted

The Harcourt Group's

to burn bridges with Jarrod, but Elodie was clearly no longer useful

out what