RankNovelChapter 551 "That's only right," Jarrod Silverstein replied, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.
Elodie Thorne hadn't dwelled on what happened that day, but facing Jarrod now, up close, she couldn't help but notice he was the sas ever. Whatever suspicions she'd had back then had clearly been unfounded. Especially now, knowing for certain that Jarrod had been with Sylvie Fielding at the time.
"I'm going to check in," Elodie said quietly, turning to address the professor. Charlie Sterling understood her reluctance to play at pleasantries and simply nodded. "Go on. Get yourself settled and ready." Sylvie's hands balled into fists at Charlie's obvious regard for Elodie, a heaviness forming deep in her chest. She hadn't expected that. Only recently had she found out Charlie was one of the judges. Which meant... what if he played favorites and handed Elodie extra points, even if she didn't deserve them? Sylvie pressed her lips together, a furrow appearing between her brows as an uneasy sense of threat lingered at the back of her mind.
Charlie didn't linger. He roped Alexander Sterling into helping him with his luggage, and the three of them left for the front desk.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen Sylvie went to check in, Maurice Nilsson leaned toward Jarrod and lowered his voice. "Elodie's even more impressive than I thought. She really made the cut. Did you know she would?" If not... why sponsor the competition for Sylvie's sake? Lately, Maurice had found Jarrod's motives harder and harder to pin down.
Jarrod lowered his gaze, adjusting his cufflinks. "Joseph and the others are arriving tomorrow?" Maurice clicked his tongue. "Of course. For an event like this, there's no shortage of people wanting to watch it in person. I gave out plenty of your tickets. High society loves this sort of thing-big opportunities, big money, and catching the next wave is always profitable." He was still talking when Sylvie suddenly turned back, her eyes bright as she fixed them on Jarrod. "Jarrod, will you share a room with me? Might as well-save the hassle of booking another." Given the Silverstein Group was the title sponsor and Jarrod was the boss, of course he was here in person. Maurice froze, taken aback as the implication of Sylvie's words sank in. She was actually asking to share a room with Jarrod? That direct? Jarrod's gaze was cool as he looked back at her, giving away nothing.
Maurice recovered quickly, arching an eyebrow with a laugh. "You've got a competition to prepare for. You should focus on that, and we'll stay out of your way-wouldn't want any slip-ups. I've got sbusiness to discuss with Jarrod, so I'll borrow him for a bit." He offered her a way out.
With Maurice chiming in like that, Sylvie had no choice but to let it go, though disappointment flickered inside her. Still, there would always be a next time. These things had a way of repeating.
She smiled without betraying any emotion. "That works." Elodie headed up to her room to unpack. She hadn't expected her suite to be this nice-spacious, with a stunning view of the national stadium. Just looking out at the city helped ease her nerves a little.
After confirming with Alexander what the and Esmeralda Mercer would be arriving at the venue, Elodie got ready to head downstairs for afternoon tea.
She had a few extra tickets to the event and had thought about inviting her grandmother and uncle. But her uncle was still recovering, and her grandmother was too old to spend a whole day at the stadium, so she'd decided against it. As for Patricia Aldridge and her group... in the end, Elodie chose not to invite them either. The elevator arrived, doors sliding open.
As she stepped forward, she saw Jarrod already inside.
He looked at her.
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The small, enclosed space felt even tighter with just the two of them inside. Elodie hesitated for a couple of seconds. But in the end, she stepped in.
The doors shut behind her.
Jarrod's subtle, cold cedar scent drifted through the air inescapable ugh the gir and strangely invasive. She lowered her eyes, frowning ever so slightly.
The atmosphere seemed to draw taut.
Jarrod turned to regard her, voice low. "That day-were you trying to tellsomething?
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