A new assistant was assigned to Elodie.
Lily Lockwood was sent along to accompany her.
When Elodie found Lily, the girl was already clutching several folders, glancing up at Elodie with a straight face. “You know, aside from my professor, you’re the only person my age who can actually boss me around and make me your assistant.”
It was a statement that drew a line between them.
But she was determined to cross that line someday.
For now, Elodie ought to thank her.
Elodie glanced at the address on her phone and replied with a half-smile, “Well, you’d better get used to it.”
Lily blinked, momentarily speechless.
But Elodie was already striding out, files in hand, not waiting for her.
Lily hurried after her, protesting, “Hey! Seriously? That’s how you’re going to be?”
Just as they stepped out, Lily nearly collided with someone coming in.
Watts finally looked down at her.
Whatever indignation Lily had flared up melted away in an instant.
“Heading out?” Watts asked, voice casual.
Lily nodded, a little flustered. “We’re going to run diagnostics on the SX Alloy.”
Watts glanced after Elodie’s retreating figure. “Just you and Elodie?”
Lily shook her head. “There are other engineers on the team.”
He stepped aside to let her pass, raising an eyebrow. “Alright then. Good luck.”
Lily’s cheeks flushed bright red. She spun around and hurried down the hall.
Watts pretended not to notice her girlish crush.
On the way, Elodie pulled up background information about Jarrod’s company on her phone. It had been founded just over five years ago, and now a portion of its materials division had relocated back to the country, establishing a branch office. Navigating Verdania’s bureaucracy was no easy feat.
Given the sensitive nature of the material, the entry process was tightly controlled.
When Elodie, Lily, and the rest of the team arrived, the local manager—recently transferred from Verdania—spotted Elodie immediately.
“Mrs. Silverstein, right this way.”
His name was Jeremiah, though Elodie didn’t recognize him. “Have we met before?”
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