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."

you want to hear are pleasantries, I'm not going

Elinor's face turned cold.

always known Lucinda was a formidable opponent. The heiress had never liked her, and they'd never gotten along. But to be snubbed like this in front of Elodie-the younger generation-stung more

managed a brittle smile. "No matter. My family's celebrating good ews today,

ignored her completely and turned to Lucinda. "Come inside with me,

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

IV drip and

furrowed. "Are you

a soft, almost

lips

they stepped into the boardroom, it was clear which way

wearing a calm, faint smile as if he already

when he saw

company-what did it matter if

the other hand, caused a stir Several 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

gave a cold, mirthless laugh. "If Jarrod can't handle it,

of you

didn't seem

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