Jude had expected Seth to be shocked.


    But to his surprise, Seth’s reaction was remarkably calm. “Hasn’t Johnson given up yet?”


    “So you mean…this isn’t the first time Johnson’s tried to poach Noreen?”


    “Yeah.” Seth soundedpletely unfazed, even certain. “He won’t seed. Noreen would never leave with him.”


    Jude agreed, letting out a derisiveugh. “Exactly. There’s no way Noreen would ever walk away from Aurelion Group.”


    Besides, as long as Seth remained at Aurelion Group, Noreen would never consider leaving.


    “She’s really got a knack for scheming, that one,” Jude went on, half–mocking, half–gloating. “I bet she invited Johnson to Luna Eclipse just so I’d bump into them, then made sure you’d hear about it. She wants you to think she’s considering a job switch–hoping you’ll make the first move to keep her.”


    He sounded like he had it all figured out.


    “My guess? She saw you giving Bianca all this attention and felt left out, so she’s ying these little games. It’s so cliché. Doesn’t she know guys hate it when women get jealous and try these petty tricks? The more she acts up, the more she’ll push you away.”


    “She really overestimates herself. Who does she think she is, anyway? How can she possiblypete with Bianca? Anyone with half a brain knows who you’d choose.” Seth had no patience for Jude’s gossip. He brushed him off with a few perfunctory remarks and ended the call.


    He opened the folder of documents awaiting his signature, and right at the topy Noreen’s resignation letter.


    His brow creased, almost imperceptibly.


    Then he set the letter aside without a second nce and continued signing the rest of the papers.


    11:58


    Noreen had enjoyed her conversation with Johnson; she was in high spirits as she stopped by the corner flower shop to buy herself a bouquet on the way home.


    It wasn’t until she unlocked her front door that she remembered–she didn’t own a


    vase.


    The cheerful mood faded a little as she looked around at all the things in the apartment that didn’t truly belong to her.


    She grabbed a cardboard box and packed away all her files, finally clearing off the dining table.


    A sweep of the room, and she finally spotted something that could serve as a makeshift vase: a trophy.


    The Aurelion Group’s “Outstanding Employee” trophy.


    Presented to her personally by Seth.


    She’d always treasured it.


    She remembered thest time ire had too much to drink and crashed at her ce. In the middle of the night, ire, feeling sick, had grabbed the trophy, ready to use it as a vomit bucket.


    Noreen had snatched it away at once–she’d rather have ire throw up on the sheets than disgrace her prized trophy.


    Noreen filled the trophy with water and arranged the flowers inside.


    She gazed at it for a long while before murmuring to herself, “At least it’s finally good for something.”


    Right before bed, she turned off her phone–a new habit she was cultivating to help her sleep better. That night, she slept soundly.


    At nine sharp the next morning, Noreen arrived at the office.


    Her colleagues were surprised to see her show up at this hour; she was usually the first one in every day.


    And today, she wasn’t dressed in her usual stiff business attire. Instead, she wore a light–colored blouse and skirt.


    “Secretary Gilmore, you look different today,” someone remarked.


    Noreen smiled. “Different how?”


    “You look beautiful.”


    To be more precise, she looked stunning.


    Though she only wore a touch of makeup, her whole demeanor had


    changed–fresh, graceful, and softly radiant.


    She was the kind of woman whose elegance drew everyone’s eye, men and women alike.


    “Thank you.” Noreen’s mood lifted even higher.


    She’d already had breakfast on the way in, so once at the office, she headed for the break room to get some water and take her stomach medicine.


    Just as she reached the door, she overheard a conversation inside.


    “Who do you think is prettier, Secretary Gilmore or Director Lowell?”


    “They’re not even the same type. You can’t reallypare them.”


    “Maybe before, Director Lowell had the edge–Secretary Gilmore always looked so stiff, her clothes and makeup too severe, made her seem ten years older. But she’s got natural good looks. All it takes is a little effort and she just…glows.”


    “I know, right? She’s got such a vibe. I almost want to call her ‘big sis‘!”


    ?? ??