Alexander was an alumnus of Global Horizons University. As an honored

graduate, he had been invited back to give a speech to the soon-to-be graduates of the senior class.

Coincidentally, VistaLink Technologies’ new project was about to launch, and this phase required attracting investors. The university event would draw plenty of influential figures from the investment world-a perfect opportunity for publicity and funding.

As a main force behind the project, Elodie would, of course, accompany Alexander.

Global Horizons University was the top-ranked international school in Eldermere, a place where every student was either wealthy or well-connected. Elodie hadn’t graduated from here herself, but she’d visited twice-for Octavia’s parent-teacher conferences.

Alexander’s car rolled through the grand gates of the campus. As they stepped out, clusters of seniors were already heading into the auditorium.

Alexander, renowned in the aerospace field, hadn’t even closed the car door before people approached, eager to exchange pleasantries.

Elodie stood quietly to the side. She was just about to climb the steps when-

“Elodie?” Octavia spotted her from across the courtyard and ran over, surprise written all over her face. “What are you doing here?”

Elodie turned, her expression cool and silent.

Octavia, clearly annoyed, stamped her foot. “Why did you come to my school? Go home! Don’t embarrass me, okay? Don’t you know today’s full of important people? Why are you even here?”

She sounded almost desperate.

Today, it wasn’t just influential professionals who’d been invited; the school had also asked students’ families to attend.

What did Elodie have to show for herself? No fancy degrees, no impressive skills just a life spent managing a household. If anyone asked, Octavia hated having to admit Elodie was her brother’s wife.

Her brother had promised her he’d bring Sylvie, not Elodie, so she’d have someone more presentable at her side.

“Octavia, do you know her? Who is she?” A nearby classmate approached, curiosity piqued.

Octavia pressed her lips together, then blurted, “…our housekeeper.”

Her friend blinked in surprise. “Your housekeeper is gorgeous.”

Face tight, Octavia grabbed her friend’s arm and hurried away, not caring to

explain a thing. The entire encounter lasted less than a minute.

Elodie watched Octavia’s retreat with a chilly gaze, not interested in quarreling with a teenager.

Alexander returned and asked, “Who was that?”

Elodie shook her head. “No one important.”

They headed inside together.

From her seat, Elodie noticed Jarrod and Sylvie surrounded by a small crowd on the other side of the hall. It wasn’t surprising to see Jarrod at an event like this.

Octavia, who’d been complaining about Elodie a moment ago, now dashed over to Jarrod and Sylvie, linking arms with them and beaming with pride. Elodie could faintly hear her calling Sylvie “sis-in-law” over and over again.

Alexander clicked his tongue. “Your ex-husband dotes on his darling like she’s gold-plated.”

If there was a valuable connection to be made, Sylvie always had first dibs.

Elodie paid it no mind, taking her seat and opening her laptop. She began pulling up the 3D renderings and project proposal that Alexander would use for his speech, so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice her bag slip from the chair and fall to the floor.

She reached down, but before she could grab it, someone else picked it up.

It was Jarrod. Elodie looked up, her gaze mild. “Thanks.”

He set her bag on the table and smirked faintly. “Don’t mention it.”

At that moment, Felicity Warwick approached, catching the scene. She greeted Jarrod warmly. “Mr. Silverstein, it’s been too long. Thank you for making time to attend the lecture at Global Horizons.”

Jarrod gave her a polite, reserved smile. “President Warwick, the honor is mine.”

Felicity turned to Elodie. “And this must be the woman everyone’s been talking about-Mr. Silverstein’s new girlfriend? She’s stunning.”

These days, everyone knew Jarrod had a brilliant, internationally educated woman by his side.

Elodie pressed her lips together reflexively.

-There was, after all, a world of difference between being the ex-wife and being the new girlfriend.