By the time Lucinda arrived, she already had a good grasp of the situation.

Andrea had filled her in.

Jarrod was injured.

Elodie had asked her to come to the board meeting-to steady the ship, and, at a critical moment, to show support and help sway key votes.

Even now, Lucinda was deeply worried about Jarrod, but Elodie had called her just minutes ago. "I need you to cooperate," Elodie had said. "Let me handle this."

Lucinda decided to trust Elodie, just this once.

When Elinor tried to provoke her, Lucinda swept her gaze over, cool and sharp. "Elinor, I know you don't get many chances to attend meetings at headquarters, but you ought to show some restraint. There's no need for you to meddle in company business."

Elinor's smirk faltered.

"So why isn't Jarrod here? If he can't handle something like this, maybe it's time he stepped aside for someone more capable," Elinor pressed.

"If he were truly competent, wouldn't the Italian division have made the Fortune list by now? Or is it that you and he simply don't want it?" The words, delivered in Elodie's calm, almost detached voice as she stepped out of the back elevator, cut deeper than they should have.

Elinor's expression soured; she bristled, "Elodie, you should watch your tone when speaking to your elders."

all you want to hear

Elinor's face turned cold.

they'd never gotten along. But to be snubbed like this in front of Elodie-the younger generation-stung more than

a brittle smile. "No matter. My family's celebrating good ews today, so I'll let

to Lucinda.

in the room, the others couldn't accuse Mrs. Silverstein of meddling where she didn't

IV drip and

brow furrowed. "Are you

soft, almost dismissive reply.

a moment longer, lips pressed tight, then gave a

they stepped into the boardroom, it was clear which way the

calm, faint smile

he saw

technically part of the company-what

board members exchanged glances, and one of them finally spoke up, looking from Sprague to Carney. "I hear Mr. Silverstein is ill? Unable to lead the meeting? If Jarrod can't handle this, and the project slips through our fingers, the losses would be huge. Sprague's just returned-perhaps

"If

the rest of you

seem bothered by

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