Ivan shot Jarrod a surprised glance.

Jarrod just gave a slight nod, his tone calm and collected, then turned and followed Elodie into VistaLink Technologies.

The lobby was lively for that hour; people milled about, and as Elodie walked toward the elevators, Jarrod fell in step beside her.

As they passed, employees stared at the pair, a mix of shock and excitement lighting up their faces. Ever since Ms. Thorne had gone public about her husband’s identity, no one at VistaLink had actually seen Elodie and Mr. Silverstein together as a couple. Now, suddenly, they were walking side by side. It took a moment for everyone to process what they were seeing.

Elodie handled the attention with practiced poise. Jarrod seemed entirely unfazed. When the elevator doors slid open, he reached out to hold them, glancing down at her as he waited for her to step inside first. Only then did he follow her in.

The moment the doors closed behind them, the chatter erupted outside.

Given the headlines that morning, most had assumed Elodie and Jarrod’s marriage was on the rocks, maybe even heading for a public meltdown. But seeing them together now… the atmosphere seemed surprisingly calm. If anything, Mr. Silverstein was being awfully attentive to his wife.

Soon, Jarrod found himself back in Elodie’s office.

She turned and gave him a once-over, her gaze flicking to his arm. She couldn’t help but ask, almost offhandedly, “You’re injured-why not send someone else to drive? There was no need for you to come yourself.”

Jarrod took in the office with a brief glance and replied in a level voice, “I had nothing better to do.”

Elodie frowned, but decided not to press the issue. She handed him the car keys and, as if remembering something, asked, “Did you see the news?”

He took the keys, meeting her gaze. “I did. Don’t worry the Silverstein Group’s PR team will handle it.”

His reassurance put her somewhat at ease.

She studied him, still finding it all a bit unbelievable. “Honestly, I thought you’d use this as a chance to get back at me for what happened years ago.”

After all, Jarrod had been set up back then-and whether or not it was her intention, it had still happened. They were divorced now. It would only be natural if he didn’t bother to help her.

Jarrod turned the keys over in his hand, giving her a sidelong glance. “So in your eyes, I’m so petty I’d wait years just to get revenge now?”

Elodie fell silent. She’d always known that beneath Jarrod’s cool, distant façade, there were thorns. He had a knack for leaving people with nothing to say.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” he said, pocketing the keys. “You just focus on your work and don’t let any of this distract you. There’s no reason to walk into a trap when you see it coming.”

“If you trust me, you don’t need to worry about a thing,” Jarrod added, making it clear he had no intention of lingering.

Before she’d come to find him, Elodie had been a bit unsure would he even deal with it? Now that he’d given her a clear answer, she could finally relax.

“Thank you. Have a good day, Mr. Silverstein.”

She believed that as long as they communicated about what

mattered, there was nothing else left to say. The less contact, the

better it was pointless to keep picking at old wounds. Their relationship was over; there was no need to force polite conversation. Especially given the way things had ended between them. Too much had happened; there was no way to sit down and pretend it was all fine.

She was already halfway into her “see yourself out” mode-strictly business.

He didn’t seem to mind. On his way out, he paused, looked back at her, and said, “Chairman Jett mentioned that Mr. Harcourt and Ms. Jett are getting married in two months. Would you like to go with me?”

This was news to Elodie. She looked up at him, her tone even. “I’m busy. I won’t be able to make it.”

It wasn’t important, and she certainly didn’t have time for social niceties.

He watched her for a moment, as if reading between the lines, then turned and

left.

Once Jarrod was gone, Elodie turned her attention to the evening ahead. She had a charity gala to attend a public event she couldn’t really skip. If she tried to lay low now, the

rumors would only grow wilder.

The guest list was extensive, drawing people from every industry. Originally, Mr. Sterling had planned to go with her, but a last-minute work issue meant she’d be on her own.

She hadn’t expected, though, that the old scandal—her so-called “forced marriage❞—would suddenly explode into the headlines again.

Even Alexander stopped by her office before the event. “Maybe you should skip it.

No need to give people more to gossip about.”

Elodie just shrugged. “People will talk no matter what I do. Hiding isn’t the answer.”

Alexander knew her well, but still frowned. “Are you sure Jarrod’s handling it?

He’s been awfully quiet. Maybe he’s just saying that to keep you calm and hasn’t actually done anything yet.”