The incident at Verdant University made a small splash.

Posts about Elodie, the academic prodigy, were all over the campus forum, and she’d suddenly become a legend in the eyes of many students.

When Lucinda Howard caught wind of it, she was genuinely surprised.

After taking the time to piece together the whole story, she found herself even more astonished.

No matter how she tried to look at it, the entire situation was almost unbelievable.

Today, Elodie was absolutely dominating the academic scene-no one even came close.

“Mom? Where’s my brother?” Octavia rushed in, her face anxious.

“He’s in the study, I think,” Lucinda replied, remembering that the housekeeper had mentioned Jarrod was back to collect his seal-he should still be in there.

She hesitated, then decided to head over herself.

But Octavia was quicker, darting down the hall with barely a pause.

The study was Jarrod’s private sanctuary-no one else usually ventured inside.

He’d just set down a book when the door burst open.

Octavia stood on the threshold.

He shot her a cool, unimpressed glance. “Ever heard of knocking?”

Octavia shrank back, voice small. “Sorry, big brother…”

But she couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “I just heard from my friends- something happened at Verdant today, something about Elodie. Is it… true?”

She was honestly stunned.

According to her classmates, Elodie had practically been hailed by all the brightest minds at Verdant University. She’d even heard that Sylvie—her idol— had been completely overshadowed by Elodie.

It was utterly inconceivable.

In her memory, Elodie had always been gentle and quiet, the one who kept the household running smoothly. Besides her pretty face and impressive cooking, Octavia had never witnessed any other talents.

Lucinda had just reached the doorway and caught the tail end of Octavia’s question.

She looked toward Jarrod, waiting.

He kept his gaze lowered as he gathered his things. “It’s true,” he said simply.

Octavia was even more incredulous. “How is that possible? Elodie never even seemed interested in this stuff-why didn’t she ever say anything to me?”

Her brain was practically short-circuiting. She couldn’t begin to process it.

The Elodie she’d always looked down on… had just completely eclipsed the very person she admired most?

Jarrod finally looked up, his voice cool and blunt. “Whether she told you or not- maybe that has something to do with whether you ever actually respected her.”

Octavia’s face went pale at that, her youthful confidence instantly deflated. Lucinda frowned at Jarrod. “So this is her real ability?”

Her tone was grave.

Jarrod retrieved what he’d come for and strode toward the door, his voice calm and detached. “Everyone who matters has confirmed it. Why keep doubting?”

Lucinda’s brow furrowed. She

quickly called after him, “For now,

don’t go out in public with Sylvie

Spend some time with Elodie

instead-build up some positive press.”

Jarrod paused, glancing back at her with a faint, almost mocking smile. “Mom, I

don’t need you managing this.”

And with that, he walked out, not bothering to see her reaction.

Lucinda watched her son’s tall, retreating figure, her expression darkening.

She’d caught his meaning loud and clear.

He had no intention of distancing himself from Sylvie.

He knew perfectly well what was most appropriate right now-yet he was choosing otherwise, all for the sake of one woman? Jarrod had alwaysbeen self-reliant, sharp, and astute-never once had he needed her intervention. In business, he was untouchable. And now, for Sylvie’s sake, he was making such reckless choices? In the end, Sylvie was just a woman-nothing more!