Chapter 68
After the divorce, Selma would walk away with, at most, a few million-not even close to the true fortunes of old-money families.
Sylvie’s brow furrowed.
Maurice agreed that Elodie’s words were cutting. “Can’t we have a civil
conversation? Why do you have to attack people?”
The moment Sylvie showed interest, the deal soured.
But no matter how much Elodie protested, didn’t she always end up compromising for Jarrod in the end?
Her jealousy and bitterness were becoming hard to watch.
“No room for discussion?” Jarrod finally spoke up, his tone calm and almost indifferent as he looked at Elodie.
But his stance was clear.
If Sylvie wanted something, he’d fetch the stars and the moon for her. That was where Sylvie’s confidence came from.
Elodie felt a chill creep into her hands and feet.
Was Jarrod really going to pay for Sylvie? Even if Sylvie wanted to take what belonged to her and her mother, he’d still back Sylvie?
No matter the time or place, Jarrod’s first allegiance was always to Sylvie.
She met his gaze directly. “It’s your choice what you want to give her. But whethernoveldrama
I sell or not—that’s my choice.”
Sylvie narrowed her eyes.
So this was what it meant to be completely unmoved.
Even Maurice frowned.
Was Elodie really willing to forfeit millions just to spite Sylvie?
Jarrod gave a careless smirk. “Suit yourself. Just let me know when you decide.”
He stood, brushing past Elodie as he left.
Sylvie and Maurice followed, one after the other.
As she left, Sylvie shot Elodie a look-complicated and laced with mockery.
The real estate agent was nearly frantic. “Ms. Thorne, please think this over! That’s Mr. Silverstein from The Silverstein Group-they have deep pockets! He’s only buying the gallery to please his mother-in-law. Money is no object to him. Don’t be rash!”
But Elodie couldn’t hear any of it.
She walked out in a daze.
It felt as though she’d been slapped, breathless from the sting.
Because she understood what Jarrod’s words really meant.
Even if she refused now, he’d find a way to make her agree in the end.
At the door, she stared at the floor, her expression vacant.
Selma had moved back for good-why did she have to set her sights on her mother’s gallery? Didn’t she know it belonged to the Thorne family?
Of course Selma knew.
Years ago, Elodie’s mother had helped Selma break into the art world, even showcasing Selma’s paintings at the gallery and helping her earn her first real money during a difficult time.
Art school tuition was expensive. Selma came from a small, struggling town; her parents nearly went bankrupt to support her. After meeting Elodie’s mother, who believed in looking out for friends, Selma’s tuition was covered, she was introduced to influential people, and given every possible leg up.
But in the end, the first betrayal came from Selma.
After all these years, Selma’s first move upon returning was to make a play for her mother’s gallery.
What could her motive possibly be?
What worried Elodie most was if Jarrod went straight to her grandmother, laid everything bare-that he wanted to buy the gallery for Sylvie, that Elodie’s marriage was ending because Jarrod had cheated.
And worse, the gallery’s ownership would pass to someone who had stabbed her mother in the back, piece by piece.
How could her grandmother withstand that kind of blow?
Elodie felt utterly alone.
Her face grew paler, the turmoil in her chest making her stomach twist with pain.
She forced herself forward a few steps, but then her vision went black.
“Careful!” a concerned voice called.
Joseph strode over and caught Elodie as she staggered, feeling how cold she was. He immediately shrugged off his heavy coat and wrapped it around her.
His face full of worry, he lifted her into his arms.
Freya rushed over. “What happened to Elodie?”
Joseph carried her to the car. “We’re going to the hospital!”
Freya climbed in, holding the unconscious Elodie close.
At the hospital, Joseph jogged inside with her.
Freya paused, pulling out her phone to snap a photo of their backs.
Joseph didn’t know what was wrong with Elodie he just knew something was very wrong. She felt weightless in his arms.
He insisted on a full battery of tests, wanting to find out what was causing her collapse.
The doctor wrote up a list of tests.
They checked everything, one by one.
A nurse finally called out, “You can pick up the results now.”
Seeing it was time for the results, Joseph stood up and headed to the printer.