Chapter 638
Patricia’s words came out of nowhere, catching everyone off guard.
Maurice nearly choked on his drink.
He shot Patricia a look of disbelief.
Jarrod turned to her slowly, his expression icy and unreadable.
Patricia didn’t care in the slightest. She lazily swirled the whiskey in her glass. “You know, Jarrod, I suddenly find all this rather dull. A few years ago, you turned me down-said you already had someone in your heart. You and Elodie weren’t even married yet. Be honest, it wasn’t her, was it?”
Maurice felt like he’d just been handed a live grenade. Instinctively, he shot to his feet and moved toward the entryway, making sure no one else could come near and overhear.
Patricia tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips, her striking eyes fixed on Jarrod. “I hope it wasn’t, because if it was, that would really bruise my ego.”
Jarrod had always been the kind of man who didn’t spare anyone’s feelings if he didn’t want to. No matter how hard Patricia had tried to win him over back then, he’d remained utterly unmoved. Even when her emotions spiraled out of control from his coldness, he still didn’t give her so much as a second glance.
Sometimes, Patricia suspected the girl Jarrod claimed to love never even existed. With a man like him, what did he know about love anyway?
“That’s none of your concern, Miss Aldridge.” Jarrod’s tone didn’t waver.
He was as blunt as ever.
Patricia was used to it by now.
In the old days, Jarrod had been even more ruthless.
“Relax, I’m just curious,” Patricia replied breezily. “Just how much does Elodie mean to you, really? Remember those rumors about her floating around online last time? You defended her as if your life depended on it. But what if there’s actual proof this time?”
In the dim light, it was impossible to read Jarrod’s expression.
Patricia’s smile widened as she studied his face. “Let’s talk terms, Jarrod. Do you want her reputation utterly destroyed, to have her known forever as the ‘scandal- ridden scientist’? Or would you rather divorce her and forge an alliance with the Aldridge family? You must realize Elodie is no match for what my family can offer you.”
She watched him closely, searching for even the slightest flicker of emotion.
But it was clear: whatever Jarrod did or didn’t show, it would never truly satisfy her.
“Proof?” Jarrod stepped closer.
Patricia knew she was pushing his buttons, but so what?
He’d wounded her pride years ago, but she wasn’t petty.
She didn’t mind tossing a few incriminating photos his way.
Jarrod glanced down at the photos Patricia offered.
Just one look-his eyes clouded with something dark and unreadable.
Patricia almost enjoyed this rare moment of silence from him; it made him seem less sharp, less dangerous.
“Think it over, Jarrod. Why keep running in circles all these years? Why drag Elodie into this mess?” Her voice was almost gentle.
But before she could go any further, Jarrod strode over, took the photos from her hand, and ripped them to shreds again and again. His face was so cold, it seemed stripped of any emotion. “Miss Aldridge, if I’m not mistaken, your father’s due to retire in a year, isn’t he?”
The smile faded from Patricia’s lips, replaced by a chill. “What are you getting at?”
Jarrod stuffed the scraps of photo into his pocket, his gaze suddenly like steel. “At a time like this, do you think he’d prefer to step down with dignity, or get dragged through the mud?”
“Don’t push it, Jarrod.” Patricia’s expression froze; she couldn’t believe he’d
actually say something like that.
Was he out of his mind?
Did he even know what he was threatening?
Jarrod’s eyes harrowed, his voice
like ice. “When you reach your
father’s position, then you can try negotiating with me. Until then, Miss Aldridge, don’t overestimate yourself. I can play this game You? I’m not so sure.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his retreating figure radiating a chilling indifference.
For a moment, Patricia felt herself pulled back to those years when Jarrod had first shown her just how ruthless he could be.
Even when she’d resorted to blackmail, he hadn’t flinched.
He’d looked her dead in the eye and said, “If you want to end it all, don’t expect me to clean up your mess. What does any of this have to do with me?”