Malcom’s feeble protest still echoed in Elodie’s ears.
A flicker of scorn flashed in her eyes. Good thing, really—she’d never expected anything from her biological father, not even enough to feel disappointed now.
All she felt was a cold, biting sense of irony.
Back then, when the reporters came swarming, Jarrod had already made sure she was safe. The only footage they ever got was the two of them, neat and composed, alone in a room. Even then, Jarrod had handled everything with painstaking care. Who could’ve guessed that, in the end, the real villain would turn out to be Malcom himself?
But to Reba, Elodie’s calm meant she was scared. Reba rapped her knuckles on Elodie’s desk, eyes sweeping over the upscale office. “I’ve warned you before, haven’t I? Don’t be so ungrateful. The Harcourt family knows exactly what you are, Elodie. They’ve done you a favor, setting you up with a once-in-a-lifetime catch. Don’t turn into a backstabber, alright?”
“Reba, don’t talk to your sister like that.” Malcom put on his best fatherly voice, though his eyes gleamed with greed. “Elodie’s always been sensible, never caused me worry. I’m sure she’ll come around and talk to Jarrod for the Harcourts’ sake. After all, won’t the Harcourt family belong to you sisters in the future?”
“Whatever you say,” Elodie cut in, her calm voice flat and utterly indifferent.
Malcom’s words faltered. He turned to look at her.
Elodie had already opened her laptop, her expression as unreadable as glass.
“Elodie, what’s that supposed to mean?” Malcom forced a smile.
She lifted her eyelids just enough to meet his gaze. “Interpret it however you like. I couldn’t care less.”
Malcom’s face darkened.
Elodie regarded him coolly. “But let me remind you: given my position now, if Mr. Harcourt goes through with this, it’ll be slandering a state research scientist. That could land Mr. Harcourt in a lawsuit. I’ve said all I need to. Anything else, or are you both leaving?”
She was detached, as if none of this concerned her.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of fear or anxiety.
Reba stiffened.
Malcom stared at her in disbelief.
It was only now that he realized just how much Elodie had changed.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue