Patricia’s words came out of nowhere, catching everyone off guard.
Maurice nearly choked on his drink.
He shot Patricia a look of disbelief.
Jarrod turned to her slowly, his expression icy and unreadable.
Patricia didn’t care in the slightest. She lazily swirled the whiskey in her glass. “You know, Jarrod, I suddenly find all this rather dull. A few years ago, you turned me down—said you already had someone in your heart. You and Elodie weren’t even married yet. Be honest, it wasn’t her, was it?”
Maurice felt like he’d just been handed a live grenade. Instinctively, he shot to his feet and moved toward the entryway, making sure no one else could come near and overhear.
Patricia tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips, her striking eyes fixed on Jarrod. “I hope it wasn’t, because if it was, that would really bruise my ego.”
Jarrod had always been the kind of man who didn’t spare anyone’s feelings if he didn’t want to. No matter how hard Patricia had tried to win him over back then, he’d remained utterly unmoved. Even when her emotions spiraled out of control from his coldness, he still didn’t give her so much as a second glance.
Sometimes, Patricia suspected the girl Jarrod claimed to love never even existed. With a man like him, what did he know about love anyway?
“That’s none of your concern, Miss Aldridge.” Jarrod’s tone didn’t waver.
He was as blunt as ever.
Patricia was used to it by now.
In the old days, Jarrod had been even more ruthless.
“Relax, I’m just curious,” Patricia replied breezily. “Just how much does Elodie mean to you, really? Remember those rumors about her floating around online last time? You defended her as if your life depended on it. But what if there’s actual proof this time?”
In the dim light, it was impossible to read Jarrod’s expression.
Patricia’s smile widened as she studied his face. “Let’s talk terms, Jarrod. Do you want her reputation utterly destroyed, to have her known forever as the ‘scandal-ridden scientist’? Or would you rather divorce her and forge an alliance with the Aldridge family? You must realize Elodie is no match for what my family can offer you.”
She watched him closely, searching for even the slightest flicker of emotion.
But it was clear: whatever Jarrod did or didn’t show, it would never truly satisfy her.
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