How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 191

Although Grady spoke with a smile, the derision in his tone was impossible to miss. Anyone listening would feel a pang of discomfort, the pointed contempt laid bare for all to see. Even those just watching from the sidelines couldn't help but wonder if he'd gone too far.

Sylvie glanced at Grady, well aware that part of his outspokenness came from witnessing how she'd once been left hanging by VistaLink Technologies. Perhaps this was his way of standing up for her. She simply lifted her glass, took a polite sip, and let a graceful smile curve her lips, saying nothing.

Meanwhile, Naylor seemed more entertained than bothered, his eyes drifting around the room. His gaze landed first on Jarrod, who appeared entirely unfazed, typing away on his phone as if Elodie's slight embarrassment had nothing to do with him. He didn't seem to care whether she'd lost face or not.

Naylor's eyes moved to Sylvie. She had turned toward Jarrod, murmuring something only he could hear. Whatever she said made a faint smirk tug at the corners of Jarrod's lips—just a flash, but enough to suggest the two of them shared a private world, untouched by the tension around them. The awkwardness of Grady's jibe at Elodie didn't interest them in the slightest. Mediation was out of the question.

Naylor realized then: no matter how interested Elodie might be in Jarrod, he remained utterly unmoved, treating her as if she were invisible.

Alexander, on the other hand, frowned briefly before breaking into a laugh. "Mr. Mercer," he said, "that's not how you get a girl's attention. You're out of practice—maybe you should let Mr. Silverstein give you a few lessons?"

Grady nearly choked on his drink, instinctively glancing at Elodie. Attract her attention? Was Alexander implying he was trying to impress Elodie?

Alexander pressed on, turning to where Jarrod sat, composed and cool. "Look at Mr. Silverstein," he teased. "He's got a beautiful woman by his side—he must be an expert at romance. Surely Ms. Fielding isn't the one chasing after him?"

Sylvie paused, her glass halfway to her lips. She looked at Alexander, who was still smiling warmly, his tone light and seemingly harmless. Yet there was something subtly unsettling about his words.

Finally, Jarrod looked up, his expression unchanged. "You're joking, Mr. Sterling," he said quietly.

Alexander laughed heartily. "Just kidding, just kidding. No one take it seriously."