Elodie’s voice was calm.

It sounded like a casual remark, nothing more-there wasn’t a trace of sharpness in her tone.

Selma’s smile froze for a split second. The question was so direct, it felt like there was no right way to answer. Even Sylvie’s expression tensed, though she still had no intention of responding to Elodie. Whether she planned to apply to grad school, or if Dr. Sterling’s spot was reserved for her, had nothing to do with Elodie. Why should she bother with an outsider?

Jarrod spun a metal lighter between his fingers, glancing over at Elodie, who looked especially slight standing in the night breeze.

Grady, however, gave her a second look. “Why do you care?” he asked, sounding almost amused. “Everybody knows Dr. Sterling hasn’t taken on a student in years. Ms. Fielding just got back to the country and suddenly there’s a spot available—- what’s there to guess?”

Selma managed to recover, forcing a smile. “It doesn’t matter. Sylvie prefers to earn her place on merit. That way, it’s all aboveboard.”

“So,” Elodie replied, eyes narrowing, “does Dr. Sterling know about this? Has he ever said he wants Ms. Fielding as his student?”

She wasn’t backing down-she wanted a clear answer. And she knew full well that Selma and her little circle couldn’t give her one.

Selma’s smile faded. “You seem awfully interested in Sylvie’s plans, Elodie.”

That caught everyone’s attention. Even Mr. Ableson and the handful of executives nearby paused their conversation to look Elodie’s way.

Elodie pulled her coat tighter around her, her expression unchanged. “Not really,” she said coolly. “It’s just a coincidence-”

“I’m planning to apply for Dr. Sterling’s graduate program, too.”

The words dropped like a stone into a still pond. For a moment, there was dead silence.

Jarrod’s gaze grew darker as he studied her.

Sylvie and Selma couldn’t hide their shock. Sylvie’s brow furrowed instantly, as if she’d just heard the most outrageous nonsense.

Maurice’s jaw dropped. It took him a while to find his voice, and when he did, he muttered to Jarrod, “Has Elodie lost her mind? She’ll say anything these days— especially with everyone watching.”

Grady was just… stunned. Did Elodie have any idea who Dr. Charlie Sterling was in this field?

Applying to grad school was one thing. But Elodie wanted to go into aerospace- and become the apprentice of the country’s most renowned expert, Dr. Sterling?

Now Selma understood: Elodie was hopelessly naive. She’d say anything to compete with her daughter. Just like her mother-ambitious beyond her means. Grady finally found his voice, sounding incredulous. “Elodie, you’ve only shadowed Dr. Sterling for a few months, and now you think you’re ready to run with the big dogs?”

Joseph, just returning from the restaurant, caught the tail end of the conversation. He stopped in his tracks, watching Elodie intently. The others might not know, but he’d already guessed Elodie was the real contributor behind VistaLink Technologies’ latest project. If she said she was applying to Dr. Sterling’s graduate program, maybe-

Just maybe, she had a real shot.

Mr. Ableson muttered beside him, “Doesn’t sound like she’s joking. Wasn’t Ms. Thorne always brilliant?”

Joseph nodded almost imperceptibly. Mr. Ableson frowned and stared ahead, puzzled by how Maurice and Grady seemed to think Elodie’s application was so outrageous. He didn’t catch Joseph’s response.

Just then, Esmeralda’s car pulled up at the curb, horn beeping twice.

Elodie looked over the group-her expression icy and aloof. She had no intention of entertaining their doubts. Her gaze lingered briefly on Selma, then settled on Sylvie. “I’m curious, too,” she said quietly. “Was that spot ever really meant for you?”