Noreen met Jude’s gaze for a brief moment before looking away, her expression calm and detached, as if she were looking at a stranger.


    That stung Jude’s ego more than he cared to admit.


    He had never thought much of Noreen–just another sycophant at Seth’s beck and call. What right did she have to act so aloof in front of him? She was still putting


    on airs!


    Jude recognized Johnson, too. He strode over, deliberately ignoring Noreen, and greeted him with an exaggerated warmth.


    “Mr. Johnson! Long time no see. What’s keeping you busy these days?”


    Johnson, after all, knew who Jude was–the wild child of the Wilder family, with plenty of resources, even if he wasn’t exactly known for his work ethic. Courtesy was a given.


    “Oh, you know what I do, Mr. Jude. Always out hunting for talent.”


    “Hunting for talent, huh?” Jude shot a meaningful nce at Noreen, his lips curled in a mocking half–smile–part taunt, part scorn.


    “Your headhunting skills seem a little rusty.”


    Johnson justughed it off. “Now, now–Secretary Gilmore is highly sought–after in our field.”


    Jude didn’t take the bait. Instead, he said, “I bet you haven’t heard–Mr. Harcourt from Aurelion Group just brought in a top recruit from overseas. PhD from WT Business School, used to work for Grand Trust Bank, and now he’s the new director


    of Aurelion’s Investment Division III.”


    He couldn’t hide the smugness in his voice. “That kind of talent would be considered top–tier even in your circles, wouldn’t it?”


    Johnson nodded, honest and unbothered. “That’s definitely high–caliber.”


    “So, looks like you’ve got some room to improve,” Jude said, giving Johnson a friendly p on the shoulder.


    Johnson just grinned. “Appreciate the advice, Mr. Jude.”


    After his little performance, Jude was practically glowing. “Oh, by the way, I have a stake in this restaurant. Tonight’s dinner is on me.”


    11:57 能


    “Oh, I couldn’t possibly-”


    “No need to be polite. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll need your help finding someone. Consider this a gesture of friendship.”


    As they left, Jude swept Noreen with a haughty look, clearly hoping to see some hint of embarrassment on her face, some sign she felt outssed.


    But Noreen’s expression remained as calm as ever. There was nothing for him totch onto.


    That irritated him even more.


    So, the moment he stepped outside, he called Seth toin.


    “Seth, guess who I just ran into!”


    Seth was still at the office, workingte, barely ncing at his phone. He pressed the inte for the secretary’s office. “Miss Gilmore, bring me a coffee.”


    On the other end, Jude hesitated.


    Did Seth really not know Noreen wasn’t at the office?


    Interesting.


    While he waited for his coffee, Seth finally asked, “So, who did you see?”


    “Johnson,” Jude replied, not getting to the point. “He’s out headhunting.”


    Someone knocked on Seth’s door. “Come in,” he called.


    It was Sophia, delivering the coffee.


    Seth paused, frowning. “Where’s Miss Gilmore?”


    “She’s left for the day,” Sophia replied.


    Seth’s frown deepened. “She didn’t stayte tonight?”


    “No, she didn’t.”


    That was unusual, but he didn’t dwell on it–Noreen was nothing if not reliable. He just assumed she had other matters to attend to.


    He dismissed Sophia and took a sip of the coffee. His brow furrowed again.


    It wasn’t the blend he was used to.


    His desire for coffee evaporated. He set the cup down, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples. “So, who’s Johnson trying to poach?”


    11


    Finally, Jude got to the point, practically tripping over his own excitement. “He’s trying to recruit Noreen!”


    <b>3/3 </b>