Elodie could feel the strength in the hand gripping her wrist-there was a

forcefulness beneath Jarrod’s calm, almost teasing voice, a quiet dominance she

could not ignore.

She hated it.

Her reaction was even sharper than before. With a sudden jerk, she yanked her wrist free, shaking off the lingering heat of his touch. Not bothering with subtlety, she pulled off her blindfold and met Jarrod’s cool, inscrutable gaze.

“This is how it’s always been between us in public, isn’t it?” Elodie’s words were polite but her eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance she struggled to hide. “Mr. Silverstein, we have no chemistry. Let’s just drop this game.”

Jarrod’s expression didn’t register a single emotion. Elodie didn’t care. She turned on her heel and walked away, moving toward the edge of the crowd.

As for Jarrod’s question—she almost wanted to laugh. For years, whenever they crossed paths in public, he’d acted as though she didn’t exist: distant, aloof, a stranger in every sense. Now he dared to put the ball in her court? Please.

And anyway, wasn’t that exactly what the contract spelled out? Boundaries, distance, and nothing real.

Jarrod watched her retreat in silence, his face giving nothing away. Then he turned and made his way back to Sylvie.

Watts, who had been keeping an eye on Elodie throughout, noticed both she and Jarrod had separated. He lowered his gaze, deep in thought, then started to cross the room toward her. He still hadn’t asked for her number, and now he wondered if doing so directly might put her on the spot or make her uncomfortable. It wasn’t often he found himself hesitating over something so simple.

His phone vibrated with an urgent call. He glanced at Elodie, who had just taken a seat, her profile lit by the soft glow of the chandelier. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully; he’d take the call first and figure the rest out later.

Across the room, Elodie had barely settled in when Alexander leaned over, voice low. “What did he say to you? Was it about poaching clients?”

Her eyes grew sharp for a moment, but she shook her head. “No. Not a word.”

That figured. Jarrod never explained himself, no matter how deeply he might wound someone; it meant nothing to him, so why would he bother justifying it?

Alexander took a sip of his drink and gave a cold, derisive laugh. “Of course. Letting us take the fall and not even owning up to it. Cold-blooded, that’s what he is.”

He hid it well, but there was no denying the ruthlessness.

Elodie said nothing more. She was about to check the time when Ivan’s voice rang out from the front of the room.

“Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate Queenie and me tonight,” Ivan announced, standing tall and relaxed, voice carrying easily over the crowd. “While you’re all having a good time, we’d like to share a bit of good news.”

Elodie looked over, her expression that of any casual guest, emotionless and calm.

Ivan drew Queenie close, his smile slow and easy. “Queenie’s pregnant. So today, we have double the joy.”

A ripple of congratulations swept through the guests.

Queenie nestled into Ivan’s side, her face radiant with happiness and devotion.

Elodie wasn’t surprised. Ivan and Queenie had been together for years, and marriage was always on the cards. A baby seemed only natural.

She was about to look away when she noticed Ivan staring directly at her- openly, pointedly. There was a storm of emotion in his eyes, but when it settled, all that remained was a bitter, mocking sneer, sharp enough to draw blood. Was that hatred in his gaze? She couldn’t tell if he was happy or furious.

He gave a low laugh. “Now that I’ve shared our good news, I hope everyone here finds happiness in their own lives. And of course, there’s someone I care about most-my little sister.”

At that, Queenie looked over at Elodie too.

Ivan’s smile was still there, but it was all teeth. “Elodie, you’ve been married a few years now. Queenie and I already have a child on the way. Aren’t you going to catch up?”

Elodie’s brow furrowed in surprise. She hadn’t expected Ivan to turn the spotlight on her, let alone drag her private life out in front of everyone.