Linsey couldn’t help but sigh.

So much for the old lady’s grand plan—there was no hope now.

By this point, Elodie had more or less guessed what had been on the matriarch’s mind. She figured the woman had hoped to use this evening’s gathering as her stage, introducing Elodie to the guests as the main character and celebrating her acceptance into Verdant University. That way, the party would have a proper focal point, and the news would spread naturally.

But Elodie had no intention of playing along. Even if she showed up, she wouldn’t go through with it.

Jarrod, on his end, had flat-out denied everything in front of everyone.

With both of them refusing to cooperate, the old lady was out of moves.

When other guests politely asked about the theme of tonight’s dinner, the matriarch was left speechless, forced to brush it off with vague answers.

Later, as the event wound down, Elias left with Raleigh. The old man looked especially grave.

Elias glanced over. “What’s on your mind?”

Raleigh looked back at the ballroom. “You know why I asked all those questions tonight? It was the Silverstein girl who pulled me aside beforehand and asked me to bring it up. She told me Jarrod’s actually married, but it’s never been made public. Remember my birthday, when Jarrod brought a date? Well, I heard from the Silverstein girl herself that woman wasn’t his wife!”

He shook his head, exasperated. “Jarrod’s such a promising young man—why does he have to be so fickle?”

As for that girl, Sylvie Fielding, if she’s knowingly involved in this mess, well, the Warwick family would never associate with someone of such questionable character. There’d be no future dealings with her, that’s for sure.

Elias abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Piecing together the odd events of the past few weeks, even if Raleigh and the others had never said who Mrs. Silverstein truly was, the answer was almost glaringly obvious now.

He turned his head and, just then, spotted Elodie slipping out of the ballroom nearby.

So… Mrs. Silverstein was Elodie?

And that would make Ms. Fielding…

Elias’s brow furrowed sharply.

Raleigh turned around. “What are you thinking about? Aren’t you getting in?” Snapping back to the moment, Elias let his gaze linger on Elodie’s face for a heartbeat, then pushed down his surprise and slid into the car. “Coming.”

Elodie had only shown up to make an appearance, and had gone out of her way to avoid any interaction or private conversation with Jarrod. She was determined not to leave any room for people to speculate.

As the party neared its end, Elodie sent the matriarch a message, saying she had to leave early for work.

The old lady replied, apparently resigned: [Where are you? I’ll have Jarrod drive you. Let him keep you company.]

Elodie was about to text back when she heard footsteps behind her. Jarrod had already walked over.

Thankfully, she was near the side exit, away from prying eyes.

“Heading out? I’ll walk you to your car,” Jarrod said, his gaze lowered.

Without looking up, Elodie’s voice was cold. “That’s not necessary, Mr. Silverstein.”

She didn’t give him a chance to argue-before he could say another word, she turned and strode down the steps, not missing a beat.

Jarrod watched her retreating figure. He didn’t try to stop her.

He stood there, watching as she crossed the parking lot and vanished into the darkness, then finally turned and went back inside to the matriarch.

The old lady’s mood was sour. Seeing Jarrod return, she frowned. “Go after Elodie. She’s leaving for work.”

Jarrod ignored her instruction, instead sitting down across from her with a faint, wry smile. “Grandma, can we talk?”

She instantly understood his tone.

“Grandma, this is between us. I hope you won’t interfere again.” Jarrod was blunt, not mincing words.

He knew exactly why Raleigh had asked those questions tonight.

The old lady’s frown deepened. She hadn’t expected Jarrod to dodge the issue so ambiguously.

She’d planned to use Raleigh to finally reveal Jarrod’s marriage tonight-and maybe teach that outside woman a lesson about decency.

But instead, Jarrod denied it. Elodie wouldn’t acknowledge it either!

“So, what? You’re really going to keep covering for Ms. Fielding?” The old lady’s eyes flashed with disbelief.

Jarrod only gave a faint, noncommittal smile, sidestepping her accusation and steering the conversation in a different direction. “Did you ever ask Elodie what she wanted?”