Chapter 712
Elodie weighed her words carefully.
She really was considering it—since they’d come this far, maybe it was time to cross that inner threshold and finally tell Jarrod the truth.
The whole truth. The fact that she was gravely ill. And, more recently, that she’d lost their baby just before he returned.
It struck her that, at this point, even if it meant divorce, clarity was better than secrecy.
Especially after everything: Jarrod had arranged for Dr. Latham’s urgent visit from abroad, and there was the secret support from U.N2 years ago.
Maybe it was time for them to be brutally honest with each other.
Then, whatever happened next, they could go their separate ways without regret.
“What is it?” Jarrod said, noticing the tension in her face.
Elodie’s voice was soft. “I want to-“
Screeech-
Up front, Andrea jerked the steering wheel so hard the car skidded sideways before coming to a sudden stop.
Elodie was slammed back by the force, then thrown to the side. Instinctively, Jarrod reached behind her, steadying her with a firm grip as he glanced outside, his brow furrowed.
Andrea twisted around, apologetic. “Mr. Silverstein, a car just cut us off out of nowhere. I had to swerve. Are you both alright?”
Jarrod, eyes cold, watched the offending vehicle speed away. “We’re fine,” he said flatly.
Turning to Elodie, he asked, “Are you hurt?”
She rubbed her neck, wincing at the twinge. “Just a little sore. I’ll be okay.”
Jarrod’s frown deepened when he saw her discomfort. “Let’s just head home.”
He cast one last, shadowed look toward the direction the car had gone. Clearly, this hadn’t felt like an accident.
By the time they reached the family estate, it was midday.
Jarrod helped Elodie out of the car. “Let’s get some ice on that.”
She nodded, grateful but uneasy.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw Sprague sitting in the study, reading. He looked up at the sound of their arrival, offering a calm smile. “Back so early today?”
Jarrod’s eyes flicked over, cool and measured. “Surprised to see me, big brother? Thought I’d be too busy?”
Sprague’s expression didn’t change. “You’re always busy. Aren’t you worried Elodie might start to mind?”
If he suspected anything, he didn’t show it.
Ignoring the comment, Jarrod
motioned for someone to bring an ice pack, then led Elodie to the sofa He knelt beside her, pressing the cold pack gently to her neck. She shivered involuntarily, and he murmured, “Hang in there.
Elodie took the ice pack from him, insisting, “I can do it myself.”
Sprague watched, amused. “Why so formal with your own husband? What happened, Elodie?”
She didn’t answer. Not today. She had a purpose for coming back.
Jarrod straightened, glancing pointedly at Sprague. “You haven’t seen the news today?”
Sprague raised an eyebrow. “What news?”
Jarrod’s tone was casual, but there was an edge to it. “You really keep your head
in the sand these days. That’s not exactly ideal for running a business.”
Sprague paused, then smirked. “Is that so? Let me check.”
P.n
He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the headlines, all the while pretending not to care. But he knew exactly what Jarrod was talking about By now, the story must have reached its peak-a scandalo targeting The Silverstein Group,
threatening to spill over and engulf the entire company.
But as he read, Sprague’s smile vanished.
He shot a discreet glance at Jarrod, who was pouring tea as if nothing had happened.
Where he’d expected a tidal wave of outrage, there was…something else.
The victim’s wife had come forward.
She’d admitted her husband had staged the workplace accident after being manipulated by others-desperate because both he and their child were battling cancer. She publicly apologized.
And-astonishingly-she thanked Jarrod. Not only had he refused to pursuedegal action over the slander, he’d personally covered $300,000 in medical bills and given an additional $200,000 for the child’s education.
The narrative had flipped in an instant.
The anger vanished, replaced with admiration. The entire crisis had been defused
in under two hours.
Even the online critics who’d hurled abuse just hours earlier were now praising The Silverstein Group’s handling of the situation-refusing to scapegoat, showing empathy, and offering real help even when wronged.
And just like that, the company’s reputation soared to new heights.