Chapter 599
At the end of the day, the solution to all this still rested with Jarrod.
If he would just issue a short statement denying the rumors, clearing things up would be as simple as a single sentence. A straightforward “There’s no truth to it” would end the whole fiasco.
Elodie pressed her lips together, then shook her head, keeping her tone pragmatic. “Given how things were back then, I can understand why he didn’t help. Let’s just see what happens when we get home tonight.”
The charity gala was being held in Eastborough.
Elodie drove herself over.
Even with the gossip swirling, she knew running away wasn’t the answer.
After parking, she walked inside and immediately ran into a few familiar faces. No one acted strangely toward her; everyone was still perfectly cordial.
After all, a “scandal” was just that—a rumor. Right now, Elodie was still at the top of her game, and her reputation was hard to overshadow.
“Ms. Thorne, I’ve heard so much about you! Surprised not to see Mr. Silverstein tonight—didn’t he come along?” An older CEO from a materials company approached her with a broad, friendly smile.
Elodie replied smoothly, “He’s swamped with work tonight, unfortunately.”
The man just chuckled and didn’t push the topic.
Elodie turned and made her way further inside.
Still, she couldn’t help but overhear a few hushed conversations as she passed.
“Looks like their marriage really is on the rocks. Maybe those leaks are true after all. I always thought research types were supposed to be so upright-guess you never know…”
Elodie paused for a moment, but didn’t let it get to her.
Just as she reached the main hall, she came face-to-face with Patricia, who was making her way over.
“Elodie? You made it too!” Patricia grinned and waved, coming right up to her and linking arms in a gesture of genuine affection. “Are you okay?”
Patricia’s eyes were full of concern. “I’ve heard some things-people are talking, and some of it is really nasty. Has it affected you much?”
She looked Elodie over. “You should be one of the most admired people here, and yet this comes out of nowhere. It can’t be true, can it?”
With Sylvie now under arrest, rumors were flying everywhere. Plenty of people felt sorry for her, but even more were dying to get the inside scoop on Elodie and Jarrod’s marriage.
Elodie glanced down at Patricia’s hand wrapped around her arm, her face giving nothing away. “People will believe what they want to believe.”
That was her only response.
Patricia gave her a surprised look, sizing her up. “You can still joke about it? This must be a big deal for you. If the higher-ups start looking into it and you can’t explain what then?”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “And Mr. Silverstein hasn’t said a word? Not even a public defense? That’s just… too much. He doesn’t seem to care about you at all!”
So much time had passed since the rumors broke, and still, Jarrod himself hadn’t shown up.
Elodie gently slipped her arm free, walking over to pour herself a glass of juice. “Miss Aldridge, you seem even angrier about this than I do.”
She smiled lightly at Patricia.
Patricia folded her arms and shrugged “I’m just looking out for you. Honestly, Mr. Silverstein is out of line-not a word to defend you, and he showed more concem for Sylvie than for you…”
She caught herself and added, “Sorry, I tend to say what I think-don’t take it the wrong way.”
Of course, Patricia knew the truth: Jarrod’s silence was as good as admitting something was wrong. A man like him had no tolerance for even a hint of scandal.
Elodie smiled. “No offense taken.”
Just then, someone hurried over and whispered something in Patricia’s ear.
Patricia’s brow furrowed for a split second before she discreetly checked her phone.
Suddenly, someone at the front of the room exclaimed, “Mr. Silverstein?”
Elodie hesitated, glancing toward the commotion.
Even Patricia looked surprised, quickly scanning the crowd for him.
Elodie watched as Jarrod entered through the main doors, his eyes locking onto hers with pinpoint accuracy. He nodded his greetings to the people around him before striding directly toward her
Several others followed in his wake, shifting aside as he passed.
He stopped right in front of Elodie.
She was genuinely startled to see him appear out of nowhere, momentarily unsure what to make of it.
Patricia, recovering quickly, tucked her phone away with a small smile. “Mr. Silverstein, we had no idea you’d be joining us tonight.”
Jarrod glanced at Elodie, and she instinctively looked down, only to notice-on his
left hand, the wedding ring he hadn’t worn in a long time.
He spoke in a calm and steady voice, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “I’m here to be with my wife.”