Elodie had barely had a moment to breathe these past two days.

She’d received a last-minute notice from the academic board: she’d been invited directly to the interview stage. Suddenly, she needed to throw herself back into her studies and review everything as quickly as possible.

Even though she was confident, Elodie wasn’t about to get careless. She made herself go over all the essential material again in her spare time-after all, she’d been away from academia for years. Nobody succeeds without effort.

This interview slot had been opened especially for her. She owed it to her mentor not to let him down.

If she was going to do this at all, she’d do it to the very best of her ability.

Friday.

Elodie sat in a packed conference room alongside Alexander and dozens of engineers from the tech department, hashing out dense rounds of meetings.

They debated proposals for the flight control system, propulsion, navigation— every major system was on the table.

Just after noon, Mr. Ableson from the renewable energy division arrived.

Aside from the major government contract, Elodie had another project quietly in the works.

She discussed the concept with Mr. Ableson, whose interest and enthusiasm were obvious.

Once they’d wrapped up, Alexander offered politely, “Mr. Ableson, have you had lunch yet? If you don’t mind, would you like to try VistaLink Technologies’ cafeteria?”

Mr. Ableson waved him off with a friendly grin. “Actually, I’m just running an errand nearby. Maybe next time. I’m sure there’ll be plenty more chances.”

Alexander arched a brow. “At least let us see you downstairs.”

Still smiling, Mr. Ableson shook his head. “No need, really. I’m just headed across the street-it’s a two-minute walk.”

Elodie looked up but didn’t press for details.

Mr. Ableson pointed out the window at a modern art building across the road. “Right there. I’ve been invited to an art exhibition.”

Elodie and Alexander both glanced over. From their vantage, they could see crowds milling in and out, luxury cars pulling up to the entrance, the place bustling with energy.

“What’s going on over there?” Alexander’s curiosity was piqued.

Mr. Ableson’s expression turned knowing, even a touch amused. “President Fielding’s mother is hosting an art show. Apparently, she’s made a name for herself overseas-this is her first exhibition since returning. I was lucky to get an invitation.”

Elodie turned her gaze to the glass, watching the scene with a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Alexander’s smile faded. “Ms. Fielding really knows how to draw a crowd, doesn’t she?”

Mr. Ableson shrugged, as if imparting a little secret. “Well, it’s not all Ms. Fielding and Mrs. Haywood, to be honest. Back in Eldermere, they’re known but not exactly top-tier. The real power is Mr. Silverstein-most invitations came in his name, not Ms. Fielding’s. He’s helping his future mother-in-law make a splash. With his influence, who’d turn down an invite?”

“And rumor has it, Mrs. Haywood’s only offering ten paintings for sale-every cent

is going to charity, all transparent. That’s how you cement your place in Eldermere’s art scene.”

Thankfully, Mr. Ableson didn’t linger, just apologized, “Let’s have that lunch soon and talk more. I should head over.”

Someone escorted Mr. Ableson downstairs.

Not long after, several invitations were delivered to the office.

They were from the art show across the street.

Elodie glanced at them.

One was addressed to VistaLink Technologies. The other… was for the Thorne family.

An invitation for her grandmother and the rest of her family, yet it had been delivered along with the company’s.

Alexander’s face darkened immediately. “Of all places, they had to pick the building right across from VistaLink Technologies? Afraid we might not notice the spectacle?”

People flooding in and out, as high-profile as possible.

Who was this show really for?

They’d even bothered to deliver the invitations in person.

Elodie understood too well. There were countless prestigious galleries in

Eldermere Selma and her crowd had no reason to pick the one next door. And then, that invitation that nearly went straight to her grandmother’s house…

This wasn’t coincidence. It was a message.

They wanted her to stand by and watch as they polished themselves using everything her mother once built.

And-

As Jarrod added another brick to their rivals’ towering reputation, right in front of the Thorne family.

“Looks like the press is here too,” Alexander said from the window. “If this gets the coverage it’s aiming for, the Fielding family’s status will skyrocket.”

Elodie stared quietly at the invitation.

A few prints of the featured paintings were on the cover.

They borrowed her mother, Winifred Thorne’s, signature style.

Her chest tightened.

She forced herself to tamp the bitterness down.

At the Warwick family’s last show, she’d nearly managed to buy one of Selma’s paintings to compare with her mother’s work-but Jarrod had stepped in, denying her the chance.

Now, Selma and Sylvie basked in the spotlight, the world showering them in praise…