Today, the institute was open to two hundred visitors.

Different companies had applied as groups in advance.

A crowd gathered at the entrance, everyone buzzing with anticipation.

A black sedan pulled up just as Elodie turned her head. She caught sight of Jarrod stepping out, moving with his usual gentlemanly grace. He paused and, ever considerate, reached back to hold the car door so Sylvie wouldn’t bump her head as she climbed out.

Sylvie looked to be in excellent spirits. Tilting her face up, she offered Jarrod a gentle, charming smile, saying something only he could hear.

Jarrod answered her every now and then in his low, polite tone.

Nearby, from another car, Maurice and Grady Mercer strolled over, chatting idly as they joined the growing crowd.

It wasn’t long before all eyes drifted to Elodie and Alexander as they made their way toward the main building.

Elodie, however, had already looked away, continuing inside with Alexander without so much as a nod in the others’ direction. She had no intention of exchanging empty pleasantries today.

Jarrod watched her retreating figure for just a moment before turning to greet a company director who had come over to make small talk.

Once everyone had entered the grounds, a coordinator appeared to organize the visitors, and the various groups naturally gathered closer together.

Sylvie hovered by Jarrod’s side, barely glancing at Elodie, who stood a few yards away. Instead, she kept her attention on Jarrod, occasionally covering her lips with a hand as she whispered something to him.

Grady, who still held a certain respect for Alexander, stepped forward to greet him. “Mr. Sterling, is Chloe not coming today?”

He couldn’t help feeling exasperated with his younger sister, whose lack of ambition was a constant disappointment. Why couldn’t she be more like Alexander—or at least take some inspiration from someone as impressive as Sylvie? Instead, she spent all her time tagging along with Elodie.

“She’s not fond of these events,” Alexander replied with an easy smile. “No point in forcing her.”

Grady nodded, glancing briefly at Elodie. Esmeralda’s presence made sense- after all, she managed VistaLink Technologies. But Elodie? In just a few short months, she had risen into a world that had never belonged to her.

She really ought to be grateful to Alexander and Esmeralda, Grady thought. Without their support, Elodie would never have set foot in this institute, not in a lifetime.

Maurice wandered over, joining the conversation. “VistaLink Technologies has been making headlines lately. Congratulations, Mr. Sterling.”

He shot a look at Elodie. “Well, well-Ms. Thorne is here too.”

His tone was pointed, almost mocking.

Elodie didn’t even look up.

It was clear Maurice hadn’t come to include her in the congratulations. If anything, his words carried a faint note of derision-*even you managed to get in*.

He offered his congratulations solely to Alexander, as if Elodie had contributed nothing.

Alexander’s response was cool, his smile never touching his eyes. “Mr. Nilsson, isn’t your company outside this field? What brings you to the institute today?”

Maurice hesitated, then shrugged off the question with a smile. “Nothing unusual. Jarrod’s company had admission privileges, so I tagged along to get some photos for my brother’s public relations.”

Apparently, Jarrod had mentioned that today’s event at the institute might be interesting, so Maurice and the others had come along for the ride.

“So Ms. Fielding is here for the same reason?” Alexander feigned surprise. Maurice glanced toward Sylvie and shrugged. “We came together.” Alexander arched a brow, as if a realization had just dawned. “Oh—I thought Professor Abbott had invited Ms. Fielding. Turns out that’s not the case? Elodie was personally notified by her adviser, so I assumed it was the same for everyone.”

Maurice looked uncomfortable and turned back toward Sylvie and Jarrod.

Jarrod met his gaze with a calm, indifferent look, but said nothing.

Sylvie seemed to pick up on the undercurrent in Alexander’s words, but didn’t let it bother her. She barely glanced in Elodie’s direction, her expression cool and unbothered.

The patent dispute between Neural Intelligence and VistaLink Technologies had never been resolved and likely never would be. In the end, Elodie’s so-called “tactics” had succeeded in keeping Neural Intelligence out.