Elodie heard Maurice’s “joke,” but her petite face remained unreadable.

They must have misunderstood, she thought, assuming she’d come here on purpose, having known in advance they’d be at the club.

Jarrod didn’t seem to care about Elodie’s arrival at all. He merely turned back to Joseph, picking up their previous conversation without sparing her a glance.

Joseph, however, looked over at Elodie standing off to the side. She seemed… a little stranded, almost defenseless.

“Come on, you’re already here. Why stand over there by yourself? Join us.” Maurice offered the invitation, his tone friendly.

Now that she was here, it would be rude to just leave her hanging, he thought. No need to make it seem like they were being deliberately unwelcoming.

Sylvie, on the other hand, barely reacted to Elodie’s appearance.

Mr. Patrick had already told her and Jarrod about VistaLink Technologies’ decision —not to form a new development team and not to bring in anyone new.

Of course, Sylvie understood the real reason. It wasn’t that VistaLink didn’t need fresh talent; it was because Elodie was in the way.

Elodie clearly had a deep-seated bias against her. Sylvie knew Elodie had no real sway over company decisions, but if she badmouthed Sylvie to Alexander, he might be influenced by it.

Sylvie couldn’t stand these kinds of underhanded tactics, and she had no intention of dignifying them with a response.

She swung her golf club with practiced ease, ignoring Elodie entirely. “Maurice, how about a match?”

Maurice broke into a grin, swaggering over. “If I beat you, Jarrod’s going to scold me for not being a gentleman. He’s always looking out for you.”

Sylvie glanced at Jarrod and couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re all talk.”

They seemed to exist in their own world—a circle outsiders couldn’t penetrate. Especially Sylvie: relaxed, radiant, and so self-assured that even Elodie’s presence didn’t faze her. That effortless charm was magnetic, even to someone as aloof as Jarrod.

Elodie had no interest in their banter. She was about to call Alexander to ask where Mr. Patrick was when a voice behind her spoke up. “Ms. Thorne, you’re here.”

Turning, Elodie saw Mr. Patrick stepping out of another shuttle, heading straight for Jarrod’s group. In that instant, she realized this wasn’t just an ordinary gathering.

“I just learned this golf club belongs to Mr. Delacroix,” Mr. Patrick said warmly. “He suggested we all join up. Ms. Thorne, you know everyone here, don’t you?”

Elodie hadn’t expected such an impromptu get-together, but she nodded. “I do.”

Know them? She knew them all too well.

“Good, then you’ll feel right at home. Come, sit with us.” Mr. Patrick waved her over.

By now, Elodie could carry herself with poise, her expression unflinching.

Mr. Patrick struck up a conversation with Jarrod and the others. Elodie took a seat nearby, content to wait her turn.

A waiter arrived with refreshments. Elodie, having had nothing to eat or drink since leaving work, ignored the group’s chatter and sipped her tea quietly.

A plate of fruit appeared in front of her. She looked up to see Joseph placing it on the table for her.

He met her cool, questioning gaze and gave a small, apologetic cough. “They sent over too many plates,” he explained. “You take this one.”

Elodie didn’t make a fuss. She nodded politely. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Joseph smiled faintly, and as she picked up a slice of orange, he silently set a delicate pastry by her side.

Across the green, Sylvie turned just in time to catch this exchange-Joseph offering Elodie fruit and water. A flicker of suspicion crossed her eyes.

Hadn’t Joseph always dismissed Elodie before? He’d barely spoken to her, let alone shown any gentlemanly concern.

When had that changed? When did Joseph stop treating Elodie with cold indifference?

As she pondered this, Maurice clapped his hands. “Since we’re all together, how about we play something fun?”