How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 471

Patricia Aldridge’s question came off as casual, but the confidence in her tone was unmistakable—brash, effortless, the kind that could only be built on generations of family legacy and a mountain of wealth.

Sylvie Fielding hesitated, just for a second.

That was all the opening Patricia needed. She narrowed her eyes. “Oh, I just got back to the country, and I’ve already heard a bit of gossip. Word is you tried to force an engagement recently?”

Sylvie froze, her expression darkening for a fleeting moment.

Why did Patricia have to be so blunt?

Even Jarrod Silverstein glanced over, his brow creasing in mild disapproval.

Patricia tilted her head, smiling. “If you want to negotiate, give me a price I’ll actually consider. Think it over, Ms. Fielding.”

With that, she turned on her heel and strolled toward Elodie Thorne, who stood nearby.

By the time Elodie realized Patricia was headed her way, Patricia was already in front of her. Patricia offered her hand with a poised smile. “Mrs. Silverstein… Oh wait, Ms. Thorne, isn’t it? Nice to meet you. I’m Patricia, Watts Aldridge’s sister.”

Patricia made no effort to hide her intentions or her opinions.

Sylvie, of course, saw all of this unfold in plain view.

Patricia’s attitude toward Elodie was a world apart from the way she’d just spoken to Sylvie.

Those words—said in front of everyone—had been a public slap in the face.

Even Maurice Nilsson couldn’t help but mutter under his breath at the scene. This Miss Aldridge was not someone to cross; she was making her disdain for Sylvie crystal clear.

She wasn’t concerned with saving anyone’s pride.

Jarrod looked down at Sylvie. “It’s not over. There’s still room to negotiate. No rush.”

Sylvie nodded, her feelings a tangled mess.

She told herself Patricia was only being nice to Elodie out of pity—pity for someone not truly loved. It meant nothing, really.

Meanwhile—

This was Elodie’s first encounter with Patricia.

She shook Patricia’s hand. “Hello, Miss Aldridge.”

On the drive, Esmeralda brought up Sylvie’s plan to rent the gallery for Selma’s upcoming art show. “If the exhibit goes well, Selma will finally have a foothold here. That charity event last time really put her on the map.”

Elodie was thinking the same thing.

But there was still no news about that painting.

Jarrod refused to share any information with her, which made the search difficult and frustrating.

She spent the rest of the ride deep in thought, brow furrowed, trying to figure out how to break the deadlock.

—

For the next few days, Elodie avoided any external meetings or negotiations.

She figured the “Mrs. Silverstein” gossip would fade if she simply stayed out of sight.

By Friday, it was time for the second round of solution trials at the military’s open research facility.

This time, Elodie took Galen and the rest of her team herself.