How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Watts understood all too well.

Jarrod had probably moved the child elsewhere long ago.

That "busy" organization back in New York City was nothing but a smokescreen.

Anyone looking into it would only see business as usual, never realizing

everything had already been set in motion behind the scenes.

And that was exactly why Watts found Jarrod so utterly detestable.

The old saying about a cunning fox with three escape holes could have been written for Jarrod he always had another trick, another backup plan.

Watts knew, deep down, that today would be a fight to the bitter end. No one was walking away unscathed.

The Verdania project-once a cornerstone of his ambitions-was finished. They'd lost all leverage and any chance to negotiate.

Even Elodie... there was no way he could take her with him now.

Pain radiated from the wound on his back, a sharp reminder of how much he'd lost today. It almost felt as if this injury would haunt him for the rest of his life, a constant echo of defeat.

more: his anger and resentment toward Jarrod's company,

his words were for Jarrod. "Let's lay our cards on the table,

up her mind-she never wanted anything to do with Watts

be well aware, Mr. Aldridge. Patricia is still locked away back home. Your father agreed to three years-if she serves a day less, she's not getting

Watts' eyes hardened.

the time comes, I have plenty of ways to make her 'relapse' again and again in

were brutal,

Watts' expression finally cracked.

if he'd long since tried to let

of his

someone

for

was

at his weakest spot, twisting the knife with

froze, rigid with helpless

knew Jarrod was entirely capable of carrying

you-Patricia is still

cool and mocking. "You

Watts' face darkened.

Elodie has already been reported It's a serious offense-one that's sparked a crisis of trust between both countries. When you catted