Chapter 476
“Some people just can’t go anywhere without their entourage,” Alexander scoffed under his breath.
They had to walk that way, so Elodie couldn’t help but notice Sylvie looking radiant, laughing quietly with Jarrod as they chatted together.
All Elodie wanted was to find her seat, but as she approached, she realized-her place was right next to Jarrod.
Elodie instinctively frowned.
Alexander noticed too. He leaned down and asked quietly, “Want me to ask someone if you can switch seats?”
Elodie pressed her lips together, then shook her head. “All the seats were assigned in advance. With so many big names here today, every spot is tied to someone’s status. It’s not something they can change on a whim otherwise, they’d have to rearrange the whole system.”
At formal events like this, the rules were strict. She couldn’t be the one to make a fuss and put the organizers in a bind just for her own comfort.
Alexander understood.
Elodie walked to her seat.
Just as she reached it, Jarrod glanced up, meeting her gaze.
His eyes lingered on her deep green, silk button-down, fitted perfectly at the waist. The weather was warming up, and the lightweight fabric made her seem almost ethereal—a cool, distant elegance. A matching ribbon was loosely knotted at her slender neck, her collarbones sharp and pronounced.
Elodie ignored Jarrod’s stare and sat down, immediately pulling out her phone to review her notes.
Sylvie’s smile faded when she saw Elodie, but Elodie didn’t care about whatever was going on between those two.
She tuned them out until Jarrod’s voice slid quietly into her ear: “You’re right in front of the air conditioning vent. Want to swap seats?”
Elodie didn’t even look up, her tone icy. “No, thank you.”
Jarrod nodded, polite and restrained, and didn’t press further.
Sylvie acted as if Elodie didn’t exist, turning back to Jarrod with a bright smile. “This was such a great trip. I didn’t expect that place to be so much fun. The food
at that restaurant was amazing. Next time, let’s go again.”
She laughed, remembering something. “And that spa was really something. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one quite like it in Eldermere.”
Jarrod agreed, “Definitely.”
Their conversation drifted over, impossible to ignore.
Sylvie went on, describing the highlights of their visit to Hokkaido, clearly wishing she could relive every moment.
Elodie kept her eyes down, scrolling through her documents.
A few minutes later, the principal arrived, waving a greeting to Jarrod from across the room.
Jarrod stood up and walked over to exchange pleasantries.
As soon as he left, Sylvie crossed her legs, leaning back in her chair, her
expression turning instantly cold.
Elodie pretended Sylvie wasn’t there.
A moment later, Grady Mercer slipped into one of the back rows Spotting Sylvie, he called out, “Ms. Fielding! You and Mr. Silverstein got here early? Sorry, traffic was a nightmare.”
Sylvie turned back, her tone pleasant. “No worries.”
Grady smiled at her gentle manner. “Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to that editor soon. I know him well. If you want your research published on the academic platform, I’m sure he’ll
make it happen.”
Sylvie’s paper had just come out, and it was genuinely impressive-she deserved all the recognition she could get.
Sylvie gave a small, polite smile. “Thank you. That would be wonderful.”
Grady nodded. “Happy to help. Besides, Mr. Silverstein got me an extra invitation, so I owe him too.”
Events like this were exclusive-hardly anyone could get in without the right connections.
Luckily, Grady’s friendship with the editor meant he could help Sylvie get her work noticed. Jarrod had only needed to ask, and Grady agreed to come.
Sylvie finally allowed herself a genuine smile. She knew that
tonight was a gathering of top academics and major players from every field. Jarrod had given her this chance to promote her work to build a reputation and make some noise.