With that thought in mind, Sylvie couldn’t help glancing over at Alexander, who was sitting nearby and clapping enthusiastically.

It struck her as odd-how often did you see a science-and-tech type go this far out of his way to champion someone with no direct connection to his work?

Maurice leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t you think Alexander’s putting Elodie on too high a pedestal?”

Jarrod shot him a look, waiting for him to elaborate.

Maurice hesitated now, a frown creasing his brow. “Do you think he’s actually trying to bring Elodie into the Sterling family? Maybe he’s grooming her, polishing her public image so she looks impressive enough to fit in with the Sterlings’ academic dynasty.”

Otherwise, he really couldn’t figure out why Alexander was pushing Elodie into the spotlight.

After all, Elodie had always been an ordinary housewife, nothing remarkable about her background.

Even her stint in The Silverstein Group’s PR department-let’s be honest, wasn’t that just a favor from her husband’s family?

Yet now Alexander was giving her projects to lead, making her the public face of things.

Wasn’t he just burnishing her credentials?

Joseph caught the implication in Maurice’s words.

He didn’t really know much about what went on between Alexander and Elodie.

But Elodie was actually quite remarkable, he thought. If Alexander spent enough time around her, it wouldn’t be surprising if he started to fall for her…

Joseph pressed his lips together, his gaze drifting up to the stage.

He watched Elodie’s cool, distant expression, a shadow of sadness flickering in his eyes.

Jarrod, meanwhile, said nothing. His dark eyes remained fixed ahead, his face giving absolutely nothing away-cold and indifferent.

“Jarrod?” Maurice prodded, turning to him. “What do you think?”

Jarrod finally replied, unhurried and calm. “Hasn’t Elodie always been one of the project leads?”

His tone implied that it was only natural for her to be presenting.

Maurice let out a short laugh. “Sure, she’s a project lead. But we all know how her name ended up on that list.”

At that, Sylvie gave a soft, knowing smirk-a silent sign of agreement.

Something seemed to cross Jarrod’s mind. This time, he merely curled his lip in a faint, dismissive smile.

He didn’t bother to say any more.

The event stretched on until about nine in the evening.

After Elodie finished her presentation, she stepped off the stage.

Jason and the others hurried over to shower her with compliments.

Once the small talk was over, the night was winding down.

Tonight was meant to be a kind of company-wide mixer.

Some people were already organizing after-hours plans.

But Elodie was tired, and it was getting late, so she told Alexander and Esmeralda she’d be heading back.

Before leaving, Elodie picked up the bouquet of blue tulips she’d left on the table,

and asked someone to drive her to her apartment.

She took the elevator upstairs, room key in hand.

As she stepped out, someone exited the neighboring elevator at the same moment.

For a split second, when she saw Jarrod, Elodie paused.

He lowered his gaze, glancing briefly at her and then at the striking bouquet in her arms, but said nothing.

Elodie had even less to say to him. Clutching her key card, she turned and headed for her room.

But footsteps followed behind her, steady and unhurried.

He kept a distance of about ten feet.

Under the hallway lights, their shadows stretched across the thick carpet-hers in front, his just a breath behind, almost touching.

Elodie frowned silently and quickened her pace, putting more distance between their silhouettes.

Still, neither of them spoke.

It wasn’t until she reached her door that she realized Jarrod had stopped at the room right next to hers.

So he lived next door.

Suddenly, it dawned on her-no wonder the manager at the front desk had asked

if she wanted to change rooms earlier.

Most likely, Jarrod had found out she was next door and asked for her to be moved.

The thought made her pause.