When she first started gaining recognition, Elodie had no intention of thrusting herself into the spotlight or making frequent public appearances.

But now, the attention she received from every industry exceeded all

expectations.

Even VistaLink Technologies had a constant stream of prestigious visitors.

Esmeralda had been sending her frantic midnight messages, complaining about the avalanche of work.

So Elodie simply threw herself back into her role.

Requests for collaboration had doubled overnight. With Nexus Analytics on board and her own burgeoning reputation, VistaLink Technologies now sat comfortably at the top of the industry.

Once she settled in at the office, Elodie checked the progress at Nexus Analytics.

As for Neural Intelligence, plans were already in motion to merge it with Nexus Analytics for easier, unified management.

She had to admit, everything at Neural Intelligence ran like clockwork. The staff Jarrod had assigned were the best of the best-despite all the changes, operations remained seamless, sparing her from unnecessary distractions.

Around noon, Esmeralda strolled in humming a tune, handing Elodie a cup of iced grape cold brew. “Guess who I just saw on my way up?”

Elodie arched an eyebrow. “Who? You look way too happy.”

Esmeralda burst out laughing. “Sylvie! Didn’t you know? She’s been waiting to see you. Candida didn’t want her bothering you, so she never mentioned it. The woman’s been left hanging for over an hour.”

Candida deserved a bonus for that kind of foresight.

Elodie truly had no idea.

She was genuinely surprised Sylvie had shown up at a time like this.

Especially since Sylvie had supposedly seen Jarrod too, though Elodie had no clue what went down after that.

She turned her attention back to the aircraft wing schematics on her desk. “No need to meet her.”

Esmeralda, in high spirits, popped the lid off her coffee and took a noisy gulp, crunching ice between her teeth. “If she wants to wait, let her. I can’t believe she even has the nerve to show up.”

Some people just had no sense of shame.

Elodie kept working-she still had a meeting at the research facility later, and the pace of her days was only going to accelerate.

By midafternoon, around three, Elodie needed to visit the manufacturing plant.

As she shouldered her bag and headed downstairs, she spotted Sylvie in the lobby, still waiting.

Sylvie was dressed impeccably, but the red veins in her eyes betrayed how exhausted she was.

She looked less like she was waiting and more like she was holding herself together by sheer force of will.

When Sylvie saw her, a flicker of resentment and bitterness flashed in her eyes, but she forced herself to stand.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped deliberately in Elodie’s path and blocked her way. “Could we talk?”

Elodie stopped, her gaze icy and calm, saying nothing.

That look alone made Sylvie feel as

if she were being flayed alive. Swallowing her pride, she stared Elodie and lowered her voice. “I. know you have every right to hate

me for interfering in your marriage. ITcan apologize, Elodie. Please. Can you speak to the board and ask them to drop the charges?”

She despised herself for begging like this.

But she had no choice.

Elodie was the only one with the power to give her any hope of escape.

She knew it was a long shot. But if she didn’t try, she was facing who-knew-how-many years behind bars not to mention the destruction of her career and her entire future.

When everything was on the line, she had to make a choice.

Even if it meant humbling herself before the woman she’d once looked down on- before the woman who’d destroyed her life.

Elodie regarded her coolly, betraying no emotion.

Clearly, Jarrod hadn’t lifted a finger to help Sylvie.

How ironic.

Who would’ve thought that one day Sylvie would come crawling, her pride in

tatters, begging for mercy?

And even apologizing.

She must truly be out of options.

Elodie’s eyes were cold and clear as she finally spoke: “Ms. Fielding, that apology is awfully light. Are you a child? Still expecting everyone to coddle you and let you off easy? What’s wrong-did your mar suddenly become unreliable?”

Sylvie’s face drained of color, her expression frozen in shock and fury.