Noelle pulled at the corner of her mouth. "I did say it."


    Frank''s face instantly turned pale. "I... I must have been too busy with work and forgot. I''m sorry, Noelle. It''s my fault for dying you. Don''t worry. There are projects at Liddell Corporation that you can join anytime." He absolutely couldn''t let Noelle go to anotherpany.


    Noelle''s gaze was sharp and clear, sinking his heart further. Her tone was calm as she said, "Forget it. I want to choose where I go."


    "Noelle, I really forgot-"


    Alfred immediately interrupted. "Where were you all this time? Now that you know how talented Nelly is, you regret it, don''t you? Toote. She can go wherever she wants. Stop trying to guilt trip her!" Frank couldn''t even get a word out. He truly didn''t remember.


    Noelle didn''t even nce at Frank. She looked at Bobby and asked, "The software has been tested, right?"


    "Yes, but Mr. Parham needs to take a look first."


    Bobby nced at Alfred, his mind filled with questions. Why did it seem like Alfred and this technical specialist, who was the heiress of the Liddell family, knew each other? What was going on? Alfred scratched his nose. "I think it''s fine, but thepany''s consultant should take a look, too."


    Cedric put down the document he had been holding and looked at Noelle calmly. "The firewall''s fine now, but there will be simr issues with future software updates. You''ll need to follow up on it." Noelle nodded. "I understand. The issue is rted to the firewall design. If it bes troublesometer, we can switch to a different firewall."


    "You''ve designed a very unique firewall. It will greatly improve the game''s stability and be harder to replicate if used correctly. But there''s one thing you didn''t consider."


    They continued to discuss the firewall, and no one else could get a word on it.


    Frank noticed Noelle''s confident and poised smile-so different from the woman he remembered. The Noelle standing before him now exuded a confident aura that made her seem almost like a stranger.


    He sighed as he observed her. She had not just changed; she had just grown in unexpected ways. She was no longer the little sister who used to trail behind him.


    Alfred coughed. "Alright, you two can continue your discussion privately. If the firewall''s fine, we''ll proceed with the contract."


    For Noelle''s sake, they proceeded with the contract.


    Frank''s mood wasplex. ncing at Cedric, he realized that Cedric was far from just a school doctor. But he still hadn''t figured out who Cedric really was.


    Noelle hadn''t expected that thispany was connected to Alfred and Cedric. The atmosphere in the meeting room became somewhat awkward, like the vibe of a failed blind date.


    en


    Frank suddenly spoke up. "Since the contract has been signed, why don''t we celebrate with a meal?"


    Cedric narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.


    Frank looked at Noelle. "Noelle, this


    is your first project. After it''sunched, you''ll receive a share of the profits. I think the twopanies should celebrate together in advance."


    She suddenly realized everyone was looking at her. She instinctively nced at Alfred and Cedric,


    ovel


    wondering if refusing would be. awkward. After all, it was a


    cooperation between the


    Cedric noticed her hesitation and spoke up first. "It''s fine."


    Upon seeing that he had agreed, she nodded. If they were going, she would join, too.


    Once the meal was arranged, the group headed straight to the restaurant.


    In therge private room, Frank looked at Cedric first. "Dr. Greene, I didn''t expect you to have such broad interests besides your professional work." Cedric''s tone was cold. "Hmm, at least my family never suppresses my hobbies for the sake of so-called ''fairness.""


    Noelle''s lips curled slightly. He was clearly poking fun at Frank.


    Without showing any outward signs of frustration, Frank countered, "Mr. Greene, what does your family do?"