Chapter 458
Why not just muddle through and be done with it?
Neither of the women visited the old matriarch’s rooms that day; instead, they stayed in the front parlor, making a point to steer clear of her, especially when it came to matters concerning Elodie.
Evening descended.
Jarrod arrived home a little after seven.
Lucinda was still on the sofa, poring over Goldspire Industries’ quarterly reports. She glanced up as he entered. “Have you eaten? I can ask the kitchen to fix you something.”
But Octavia, never one to keep anything to herself, sprang up and hurried to Jarrod’s side, grabbing hold of his sleeve. “Jarrod! What’s going on? This whole thing with Sylvie is a mess, isn’t it? Aren’t you going to do something to clear her name? I mean, our company’s PR team is the best-can’t you get them involved?”
Jarrod shot her a cool look and gently pulled his arm free. “Go sit down, Octavia.”
She pouted, not really understanding. “I just think… if you’d say publicly that you and Elodie are getting divorced, or even already divorced, it would take the heat off Sylvie. Elodie wouldn’t care, right? She’s always been so forgiving… it’d help Sylvie, and Elodie wouldn’t mind.”
Elodie had always been hopelessly devoted to her brother. She’d never make a fuss; hadn’t she always been the one most willing to endure?
“Octavia, that’s enough,” Lucinda snapped, frowning. Why was a child involving herself in these matters?
Octavia fell silent, though she was still obviously anxious. Graduation exams were just around the corner, and she’d been counting on Sylvie to help her study. With all this drama, how would Sylvie have the time?
Jarrod loosened his tie and looked up, his dark eyes unreadable. “Did you go see Elodie?”
Lucinda met his gaze. “Did Elodie come running to you with complaints?”
“You know her temperament better than that,” Jarrod replied, voice quiet and even, but his eyes were dark and unfathomable.
Lucinda could tell he disapproved of her actions.
And, if she was honest, he had a point. Elodie had always been sensible and well- mannered, even if Lucinda had never truly warmed to her. In terms of character and conduct, Lucinda could never fault her.
Jarrod didn’t bother with subtlety. “In the future, I’d prefer you not trouble her. Don’t make unreasonable demands-she’s not obligated to obey you.”
Octavia stared at him, stunned. The brother in front of her suddenly felt unfamiliar, almost intimidating.
Lucinda’s frown deepened. “She’s your wife. Is it so wrong to ask her to act in the Silverstein family’s best interests?”
“She’s her own person. You don’t have the right to interfere,” Jarrod replied, his tone calm but
unwavering. “You know perfectly well where this mess started. If you have issues, bring them to me, not her.”
Lucinda was taken aback. “What are you-”
“Jarrod?” Octavia still hadn’t caught up. “But what about Sylvie? How will you ”
“Octavia.” Jarrod turned to her, his gaze intense. “You’re not a child anymore. You’ll be an adult this year. If you keep pretending you don’t understand, just because you think Elodie won’t hold it against you, you really need to learn some boundaries.”
His voice was steady, deliberate. “From now on, inside this house or out, watch how you refer to people. If you don’t want Sylvie’s reputation dragged through the mud any further, you should know better.”
Octavia froze, realization dawning only now. “I… I didn’t think of that…”
Lucinda’s frown tightened. “What exactly are you planning?”
Jarrod stood, casting his gaze
downward, his manner businesslike. “Let me be clear-Elodie has never wronged the Silverstein family. Whether this family has wronged her, you know the answer to that better than anyone. I shouldn’t have to remind you again how to treat her.”
Lucinda’s hand, halfway to her teacup, paused midair.
Jarrod said nothing more, turning and walking out.