Sylvie arrived and strode straight up to Esmeralda, her hand extended as if there’d never been any bad blood between them. “Let’s hope this partnership goes off without a hitch this time.”

Esmeralda gestured to Elodie, raising an eyebrow. “You’ll want to discuss the details with Elodie here. You’ve got the wrong person.”

She didn’t bother shaking Sylvie’s hand.

Sylvie’s fingers curled back, just a hint, and with a quick glance at Elodie, she retracted her hand. “Alright then. Let’s get started.”

She made no move to greet Elodie.

Settling onto the sofa opposite them, Sylvie flipped open the contract, never lifting her head. “I’ve looked over this. According to the terms, you want absolute authority over the product testing timeline, and every detail of Nexus Analytics’ production process?”

Elodie met her gaze coolly. “Is there a problem with that?”

Sylvie still didn’t look up, just kept turning the pages. “And you’re demanding a prototype in two weeks. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

She didn’t bother addressing Elodie’s question head-on.

It was as if she hadn’t heard her at all.

Elodie noticed.

Sylvie clearly had no interest in discussing work with her. Maybe it was because she looked down on her, or maybe, more likely, it was because of that recent incident at the hospital.

Honestly, Sylvie hadn’t called the police afterward, which had surprised Elodie.

But work was a different matter.

Esmeralda caught onto Sylvie’s attitude too. She appeared polite, but there was a certain aloofness, as if she wouldn’t stoop to be anything but gracious.

Jason sensed the tension, but stepped in anyway. “Two weeks shouldn’t be an issue. But if you want full authority over everything, it’ll make things difficult for us. Ms. Thorne, you can trust Nexus Analytics when it comes to quality.”

Elodie’s expression didn’t waver, but she refused to yield. “If you can’t make the decisions, VistaLink Technologies can speak with Mr. Silverstein directly.”

Her tone was calm, but the words landed like a punch.

Jason felt a jolt in his chest.

So Ms. Thorne from VistaLink Technologies wasn’t going to be easy.

He instinctively glanced at Sylvie.

After all, Mr. Silverstein had put Sylvie in charge of these matters at Nexus

Analytics, and yet Ms. Thorne just breezed right past her, as if Sylvie didn’t even matter…

Esmeralda nearly burst out laughing.

Elodie’s understated comments could really put people in their place.

This time, Sylvie finally looked at Elodie.

It was obvious that she could make decisions for Nexus Analytics, but Elodie was

making it clear she’d go straight to Jarrod if she had to.

Sylvie couldn’t stand that self-important attitude.

If Elodie was divorced, she should have the decency to act like it.

Sylvie closed the contract. “Ms. Mercer, I’ll discuss these terms with Jarrod

myself. For now, let’s take a look at the parts control.”

Esmeralda, still in a decent mood, tugged Elodie along with her.

Over the next hour, the two sides went back and forth.

Most of the time, Sylvie was raising questions about every requirement VistaLink Technologies had put forward.

Back and forth they went, dragging things out for another hour.

Esmeralda was ready to scream. What should’ve been wrapped up by noon had

now dragged on past one, and she was starving.

She turned to Elodie. “Are you hungry? Feels like this is never going to end.”

Elodie didn’t seem bothered-she’d barely had an appetite lately, anyway.

Suddenly, a group of people came in through the door, each carrying takeout bags from The Gilded Fork.

Elodie turned to look.

They placed the elegant meal boxes on the table.

Sylvie happened to walk over, raising an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

The lead staffer replied, “Ms. Fielding, Mr. Silverstein arranged this. He heard you hadn’t had lunch yet and asked us to bring something over. He said work could take a break for a bit.”

Sylvie realized what he’d done and shook her head, half laughing. “I had so much work today, I didn’t go out to lunch with him, so he figured I wouldn’t have time to eat. No worries, I’ll text him to let him know you delivered it. Thanks, everyone.”