Naylor, ever the easygoing one, simply grinned. “Long time no see.”

His grandfather had held a cabinet-level post, and his father was high up in the military, so these sorts of social gatherings were nothing new to him. He was on familiar ground here.

After greeting everyone, his gaze drifted back to Elodie. An intrigued eyebrow arched he found her presence entertaining.

For Elodie to show up at a place like this… just how many of Alexander’s resources were funneled her way?

Sylvie, meanwhile, nodded with practiced elegance. “I’m Sylvie, here on behalf of Mr. Silverstein of The Silverstein Group. Jarrod got caught up with something and might be late-my apologies.”

Representing The Silverstein Group?

Elodie turned that phrase over in her mind.

The relationship between Jarrod and Sylvie must run deep if she’s authorized to represent him. Was this their way of signaling to everyone just how special she was in his eyes?

Patrick gave Sylvie a measured look. “So you’re Ms. Fielding. When I met Mr. Silverstein, he spoke of you. He seems to hold you in high regard.”

Sylvie managed a modest smile, but the warmth in her eyes spoke volumes. Anyone could see the unspoken intimacy between them.

Elodie couldn’t be bothered to analyze Sylvie’s expression. She angled her body and quietly asked Alexander how many exhibits they’d be touring today.

Before Alexander could reply, Grady cut in, fixing his stare on Elodie. “Mr. Sterling, we’re surrounded by some of the world’s most advanced defense tech, and yet you didn’t bring your chief engineers. Instead, you brought-well-someone who clearly doesn’t have the faintest clue?”

He let out a short laugh. “Here, we value expertise. Out in the real world, maybe looks get you somewhere, but not in this arena.”

The implication was razor-sharp-it was just shy of calling Elodie nothing but a pretty face.

Joseph frowned, feeling the sting of Grady’s words. He glanced at Elodie, half- expecting to see a flicker of hurt, but her face remained utterly composed.

Alexander gave a dismissive chuckle. “VistaLink Technologies has its own way of doing things. Are you offering advice, Mr. Mercer?”

Grady put on an air of concern. “Advice? Hardly. It’s just a shame, Mr. Sterling. You could have brought your engineers here to learn something-opportunities like this don’t come often. I’d hate for anyone to think you’re making questionable choices.”

Naylor, for his part, found himself agreeing with Grady. If a company leader let personal attachments cloud his judgment, it could easily breed resentment and division within the team. It was only natural to wonder what made Elodie so special that even someone like Alexander was wrapped around her finger.

And it wasn’t just Alexander-Patrick could sense the dismissive tone everyone took toward Elodie. He frowned, frustrated that he couldn’t step in and set things straight.

After a moment’s thought, Patrick said, “Anyone working alongside Mr. Sterling is here on merit. Let’s not get sidetracked. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you today’s highlights.”

Elodie felt nothing. Their prejudice had been obvious from the start, and she had never cared.

Grady shot her a cold glance before joining Sylvie as they headed toward the main exhibit hall.

Only then did they realize what they’d come to see up close today—the U.N2 integrated surveillance and strike drone.

Elodie recognized it instantly. This was the very first unit she’d ever successfully tested. She’d labored night and day, poring over every piece of data, examining every component. To her, this machine meant everything.

Standing before such a groundbreaking feat of engineering, even Naylor’s face lit up with genuine awe.

Grady couldn’t stop praising it, marveling at the design.

But Elodie paid them no mind. It all felt strangely distant, almost like watching a memory through glass. She stepped closer, drawn to the familiar details, and reached out to trace the contours of a component.

Just then, Sylvie’s sharp voice sliced through the air. “Elodie! What do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch that!”