Charlie was, after all, a respected veteran in the field-he couldn’t help but chime in on technical matters.

Across from Elodie sat Mr. Black and Haywood. Haywood, never one for small talk, leaned in and spoke quietly to Elodie, an uncharacteristic warmth lighting up his usually stern face.

Joseph, swirling his drink, glanced up just in time to catch the scene. A flicker of confusion flashed in his eyes.

He knew Mr. Haywood. At the company, the man was rigid, almost old-fashioned -definitely not the friendly type. So why was he suddenly so genial with Elodie? Joseph couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to the story.

At the front, Sylvie sat near the head of the table. Someone piped up, “Ms. Fielding, we’ve noticed Mr. Silverstein hasn’t left your side all evening. We’re all a bit curious-how do you two know each other?”

The question immediately shifted the spotlight to them.

Jarrod finally lifted his gaze, slow and unbothered.

Sylvie couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, we…”

Alexander took a sip of water, then leaned over and muttered to Elodie with a smirk, “Who cares about the juicy details of his cheating?”

Elodie finished typing her last message and locked her phone. She was far removed from all this now. As long as Jarrod was present, he and Sylvie would always be the center of gossip. But she couldn’t care less anymore.

However-

It wasn’t Sylvie who answered, but Maurice, who raised his eyebrows, clearly delighted. “Sylvie’s too shy, so I’ll tell it. Let’s see… it was last July, right? Jarrod met Ms. Fielding through some cross-Atlantic business with her former stepfather’s company. Met a couple of times. Later on, Jarrod attended that art exhibition in Verdania, where he ran into Sylvie, who was organizing a show for Mrs. Haywood. Jarrod fell in love with one of Mrs. Haywood’s paintings, so he and Sylvie started talking business. One thing led to another… If that’s not fate, I don’t know what is.”

He’d been there for half of it himself. Verdania’s art shows were legendary, and Jarrod had been in a leisurely phase, frequenting them often. Maurice had tagged along more than once, just for the fun of it.

Sylvie gave a helpless smile. “Back then, Jarrod would occasionally fly in for the exhibitions. I was sort of the local expert, so after a few meetings, we became friends.”

Jarrod’s expression shifted subtly, as if an old memory had crossed his mind, but he just lowered his eyes and smiled faintly.

Elodie sipped her tea quietly, detached from the whole spectacle.

Alexander let out a dry laugh and whispered, “That’s quite the long-distance affair. Cheating across the Atlantic-what an accomplishment.”

Who needed a play-by-play of their infidelity, down to the month? Were they proud of it, or what?

He snorted and nudged Elodie again. “Honestly, Mr. Nilsson is throwing Sylvie under the bus here he’s spelled out exactly when she and Jarrod started getting close, all in front of a roomful of people. If word gets out about your and Jarrod’s marriage, Sylvie’s going to be labeled the homewrecker for sure.”

He couldn’t help but look forward to the fallout.

Elodie’s mind drifted back to that period. No wonder Jarrod had been traveling abroad so often.

Alexander glanced at Charlie, seated at the head of the table. Sure enough, his father’s face had grown stormy.

Apparently unable to listen any longer, Charlie stood abruptly, hands clasped behind his back, and walked out without saying a word.

A hush fell over the room. Even Sylvie looked over in confusion.

She turned to Jarrod and whispered, “What’s gotten into Professor Dawson? He suddenly seems upset.”

Jarrod didn’t even blink. “No idea,” he replied calmly.

But Elodie knew: the professor was angry.

She considered her options for a moment, then slipped out quietly while everyone was distracted and hurried after Charlie.

She caught up with him in the hallway and scratched her head sheepishly. “Aren’t you going to eat, Professor?”

Charlie shot her a look. “And you still have the nerve to smile?”

Elodie’s lips quirked upward, but her tone was serious. “Professor, it doesn’t bother me anymore. You don’t need to worry.”

Charlie looked like he might scold her, but just snorted instead. “A man’s heart is the cheapest thing in the world. Who knows how long those two will last? As for you, focus on building yourself up-that’s the only thing that truly belongs to you.”

Elodie broke into a genuine, easy smile. “Okay.”

As he was leaving, Charlie added, “Come to my room with Alexander tomorrow. I have a hunch you’ve figured out the key points from tonight’s discussion. We’ll talk them over.”

Elodie agreed immediately.

After seeing the professor off, she exhaled softly. She had no intention of going back to the dining room-she’d already sorted out all the technical issues that the others were still debating.

Might as well take a walk.

As she strolled along the hotel’s covered walkway, she caught voices ahead.

“The house is completely designed now?” Maurice’s voice sounded, punctuated by the click of a lighter.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Jarrod replied, his tone cool and distant.

Maurice chuckled. “I heard you even planned a nursery. Eager to start a family already?”