NovelOnlineShe'd just graduated, yet already her nwas known across the industry.
With talent like hers, was Jarrod blind? "I'm telling you, steer clear of him for a while. You think Jarrod's a pushover?" Watts cdownstairs, rummaged in a drawer, and tossed a bottle of pills to Patricia.
Patricia gave a sharp laugh. "What really floorsis that Jarrod actually covered for Elodie, kept quiet about her getting rid of the baby, and even shielded her from the Silversteins. If he hadn't, how else could Elodie have secured her place in that family?" That was what really burned her.
She was supposed to be preparing for that international art exhibition-one of the biggest events of her career.
But thanks to all this Jarrod business, her head was a mess. She could barely pick up a brush lately, and that frustration was eating her alive.
She irritably scratched at her neck and shot Watts a look. "And you? Don't tellyou're getting too deep in this act. Jarrod and Elodie are working you over, screwing up your plans-what are you going to do about it?" Watts paused, remembering the way Elodie had defended Jarrod that day. Her eyes went cold.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I'm not like you," she said quietly. "I can't pretend to be with someone if they've got someone else in their heart." When Jarrod received the update about Patricia's whereabouts, he'd just arrived outside Rosemary's house. He scanned the report, slipped his phone away, and headed inside.
Rosemary refused to leave Elodie alone these days. She insisted Elodie not stay by herself, no matter what.
A housekeeper opened the door for him. Once he'd stepped in, she informed him, "Mrs. Rosemary is in the backyard. Miss Elodie is upstairs." He nodded his thanks and made his way up.
Elodie had just finished showering and was running a brush through her hair when her phone buzzed.
A number she didn't recognize.
Still, old work habits died hard-she always answered unknown calls, just in case. She was about to apply shair oil, so she tapped speaker. "Hello, who's this?" "It's Dad." MaHarcourt's voice was tense. "Elodie, do you have a moment?" "No." She had no intention of reestablishing contact with Maand moved to hang up.
He grew frantic. "Do you have ten million dollars on hand?" Elodie stared at the phone, her expression turning icy.
Makept talking. "I've run into strouble with an investment-there's a cash shortfall. If you've got the money, send it over. You built VistaLink Technologies into a giant-I know you're not hurting for cash." The sheer entitlement. The shamelessness.
Elodie could hardly believe it.
"I do," she said coldly. "But you won't see a cent." Something must have really rattled Malcom, because his tone suddenly shifted, turning threatening. "You're going to turn your back on your own father? Letwarn you, Elodie if you don't cthrough, I'll rain your mother's reputation. She's a famous artist, isn't she? And you're the darling of the art world. What if I told everyone your precious mom was cheating throughout her marriage? Do you want her legacy destroyed?" That hit Elodie like a slap.
She clenched the hair oil bottle so hard her knuckles whitened, her eyes turning glassy with rage.
She'd never imagined Macould stoop so low.
Her mother's depression had spiraled out of control years agafter Malcom's own affairs, leaving her @recluse. Now he was threatening to smear her with lies? He knew perfectly well how much her mother meant to her.
Elodie's breathing grew ragged. The stress sent a harsh, sickening ache through her body.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJarrod had just reached the doorway when he caught the tail end of the conversation. His eyes went steely cold.
He pushed the door open and saw Elodie, her face pale and trembling with fury.
Her health was fragile she couldn't handle this kind of emotional Blow. Any shock was dangerous.
His gaze darkened, and as Makept ranting, Jarrod strode over to .om her. "You don't want to do this, do You you? I'm not asking for much-why make things difficult?" Mawas still pleading, oblivious. Elodie's eyes filled with bitter scorn as she listened to her own father's threats.
She hadn't answered yet when she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned, just as Jarrod crossed the room, lifted her chin with om effortless confidence, and bent down. His lips brushed against hers-swift, unexpected, and electrifying.
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