How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie took Esmeralda's hand, her gaze cool and steady as she faced Grady. "We're here on behalf of Mr. Sterling."

Grady frowned, clearly skeptical. "Since when did Mr. Sterling become so casual -sending you two to an event like this, just for networking?" He understood Esmeralda well enough; she was known for little more than parties and pleasure. And her friend Elodie? What could she possibly bring to the table?

Elodie was well aware of Grady's low opinion of her, but she didn't bother to explain. She simply tightened her grip on Esmeralda's hand and steered her toward another section of the exhibition hall.

They brushed past a man coming from the opposite direction, almost shoulder to shoulder.

Naylor Whitaker's gaze lingered on Elodie's face for a few seconds before he moved on.

Grady noticed the look and stepped forward. "Mr. Whitaker, that's my sister. She tends to be a bit unpredictable, so I have to keep an eye on her and her friend. Don't want them causing any trouble."

"Both of them?" Naylor raised an eyebrow in mild amusement.

Before Grady could answer, a sudden commotion erupted from the main hall. Elodie noticed the shift in atmosphere and glanced over her shoulder.

Jarrod and Sylvie had just arrived. As the event's most anticipated guests, they were immediately surrounded by a crowd eager to greet them.

Sylvie wore a poised, graceful smile, her arm linked delicately through Jarrod's. She met the flurry of compliments with unruffled composure.

Both Jarrod and Sylvie caught sight of Elodie standing across the room.

Jarrod's gaze turned cold; he looked away, refusing to spare Elodie even a passing glance.

When Sylvie leaned in to speak, Jarrod bent his head to listen, their faces close. They exchanged a warm, knowing smile.

Esmeralda, watching the scene unfold, glanced at Elodie's expression and couldn't contain her anger. "Honestly, if you didn't know better, you'd think she was already Mrs. Silverstein! Where does that leave you, Elodie? It's like Jarrod doesn't care about you at all—he can't even be bothered to hide it, not even at a public event!"

Elodie lowered her eyes, her elegant features serene and unreadable. "It's fine. Let's go somewhere else."

Esmeralda bristled, her voice tight with frustration. "What does Jarrod even see in Sylvie? She acts like she's above everyone, she's not even half as pretty as you, and as for her professional skills—"

"Esmeralda! Are you really gossiping about her behind her back?" Grady had walked over just in time to catch the last part, his face darkening. "Have you ever heard of manners?"

Naylor glanced at Esmeralda and then at Elodie, clearly disapproving of their whispering.

Already irritated, Esmeralda shot back, "Oh please, I almost forgot-you're just as blind as the rest of them. Too bad she doesn't want you, either."

"You-!" Grady's temper flared.

His annoyance quickly shifted to Elodie. Ever since Esmeralda started hanging around with her, she'd become more and more out of line.

"Ms. Thorne," he snapped, fixing his glare on Esmeralda, "you seem to have quite a lot to say about Ms. Fielding. I'd like to know what makes you so confident. Is it your professional competence? Your education? Or are you just jealous that Ms. Fielding has a boyfriend you wish you had?"

Grady's tone grew colder with each word.

He still remembered the last time Alexander had refused to see Sylvie, all because of Elodie. Now, catching her badmouthing Sylvie yet again, he was convinced this was no coincidence. In his mind, Elodie was deliberately trying to undermine Sylvie, out of nothing but spite.

Was her dislike for other women really that intense? Could she not stand to see someone else happy?

And considering Elodie's own marriage, Grady could only draw one conclusion. "Is it because you're unhappy, Elodie? Is that why you resent women who are more successful than you?"

His self-righteous speculation was so pointed and presumptive that even Elodie, who was always composed, felt her expression chill.

Just then, Jarrod and Sylvie walked over, arm in arm.

They caught every word Grady had said.noveldrama

Sylvie arched an eyebrow, her lips curling in a half-smile as she looked at Elodie

Because, truth be told, she was curious about the answer, too.