As for the old grudge between Selma and her mother-Elodie had no intention of letting it go. Even though Jarrod had tried to talk her out of it before, she was determined to find an opportunity to catch them out.

That afternoon, Mr. Charlie Sterling had scheduled a meeting with her to discuss her dissertation.

Alexander was tied up with business meetings, so Elodie drove herself.

Charlie spotted her coming in and waved her over. “How’s the review going? The qualifying exams are less than two weeks away-blink and they’ll be here.”

Elodie, modest to her core, always gave a measured response, even when she was confident. “I’ll do my best.”

Charlie folded his arms behind his back and gave a gruff snort. “You’ve been out of the game for three years. In three years, talent cycles through again and again —there’s always a fresh batch of bright kids. Don’t get complacent. If you can’t cut it, don’t embarrass yourself.”

Elodie pressed her lips together in a small, amused smile. “Embarrass myself? That sounds terrifying. Maybe I shouldn’t even bother showing up?”

“You cheeky thing!” Charlie’s eyes bulged for a moment as he swatted her lightly on the head with a stack of papers.

Elodie shrank her neck and grinned, her eyes crinkling. “Don’t worry. If I don’t make it, I’ll never let anyone know you mentored me.”

Of course, Charlie knew Elodie had nothing to worry about. He trusted her completely.

He just wanted to push her a little harder to keep her on her toes. A little pressure was a good thing.

Charlie’s wife walked in with a plate of cut fruit and a cup of hot tea, beaming as she chastised her husband. “You’re always fussing over Elodie. Now that she’s here, stop with the tough act and speak nicely!”

Elodie ducked her head, laughing softly.

Charlie was as strict as ever. Once he started on anything academic, his words were razor-sharp. Elodie barely dared to breathe, obediently listening by his side.

Halfway through, Charlie handed her two articles to read, then assigned her a research task related to an ongoing institute project—she’d need to analyze some experimental data.

By the time she finished, her head was spinning.

She excused herself, telling Charlie she needed some air.

Spring in Eldermere was still crisp, the wind carrying a lingering chill.

Elodie walked around the perimeter of the Sterling estate, her mind racing with data and research notes.

This was a well-to-do neighborhood, dotted with elegant homes and manicured lawns.

From the roadside, she heard the rumble of a car engine.

She glanced up. A sleek black Bentley rolled past.

She barely registered it before bowing her head again, thoughts still tangled in the research.

But inside the car, someone stared at the Sterling gate in surprise.

Maurice glanced back at Jarrod and Sylvie. “Why is Elodie just standing outside the Sterlings’ front gate?”

After all the big talk about getting into the institute-had Elodie lost face and come here to cozy up to the Sterlings?

Jarrod pulled his eyes away from his laptop and glanced out the window.

Elodie was standing at the gate, arms crossed, head down, her expression clouded with thought-troubled, almost.

Sylvie noticed it too: the heaviness in Elodie’s posture, the lost look on her face.

She had expected as much. The bold words Elodie had spoken about applying for the research program still rang in her ears, and now here was Elodie, looking rejected and forlorn outside the Sterlings’ home.

Maurice, never one to keep his thoughts to himself, blurted out, “Did Elodie just get turned away by the Sterlings? She’s not good enough for them?”