When it came to looks, Secretary Gilmore had a slight edge, but Director Lowell’s pedigree and education were leagues ahead–something Secretary Gilmore simply couldn’tpete with.


    “Yeah, intelligence and family background–those aren’t things you can choose. Being born into the right circumstances is a skill in itself.”


    “I heard Secretary Gilmore grew up in a single–parent household…”


    Noreen’s timely entrance put an end to the office gossip swirling around the break


    room.


    “Good morning.” Unfazed, Noreen strolled in to fill her water bottle, greeting everyone with easyposure as if she hadn’t heard a thing.


    After exchanging pleasantries, the others quickly dispersed.


    Noreen had just returned to her desk after taking her medication when Manager Selwyn from Division Three hurried over, asking for the evaluation report on the AeroEdge Drones project. Apparently, Mr. Harcourt had personally requested it.


    As Noreen handed him the file, he asked, “Secretary Gilmore, is your phone


    broken?”


    “No, it’s not,” she replied, genuinely puzzled.


    “Then why couldn’t we reach you? Mr. Harcourt left on a business trip this morning and urgently needed this report, but no one could get through.”


    Noreen gave a cool, nonchnt answer. “Maybe my phone ran out of battery.”


    It was a flimsy excuse, and Selwyn clearly didn’t buy it.


    Still, he didn’t press the issue. “Mr. Harcourt went out with Mr. Lowell to inspect the AeroEdge Drones project. They probably won’t be back until next week. I’ll send this report over to him now.”


    Noreen nodded slightly and turned to herputer, ready to start her day’s work.


    She’d been the driving force behind the drone project from day one, handling both rounds of site visits and negotiations herself. Seth had never shown any interest, let alone apanied her on business trips out of town. After all, this was just one of many projects under the Aurelion Group’s umbre–not worth Seth’s personal involvement.


    ?? 1.


    11:58


    Chapter <b>18 </b>


    But this time, he’d gone in person.


    Anyone with half a brain could see what was really happening: Seth wasn’t there to evaluate the project, he was there to back Bianca up, lending her some authority.


    Well, good for them. There was finally a touch of “husband supports wife” about the whole thing.


    With Seth out of the office, Noreen’s workload was cut in half. She was also relieved of responsibility for Division Three’s projects, leaving her with plenty of breathing room.


    It felt good. She could finally rx.


    Noreen had made an appointment with Dr. Harrison after work, hoping he could prescribe something to help with her chronic stomach issues. Her health had deterioratedtely–she needed to take better care of herself.


    Dr. Harrison was one of the most respected doctors in Rivercrest City, and getting an appointment with him was nearly impossible. Noreen had only managed to get to know him because she’d spent so many early mornings at the hospital, lining up for appointments on behalf of her clients‘ families. After so many visits, they’d be acquainted.


    Dr. Harrison admired her drive, but always reminded her to take care of her own health. “Don’t think you can neglect your body just because you’re young. You’ll regret it when you’re older.”


    It was rare for Dr. Harrison to see Noreen actually prioritizing her health, so he agreed to stayte for her appointment.


    But halfway there, Noreen’s phone buzzed. It was Ramsey Caldwell, owner of AeroEdge.


    “Secretary Gilmore, we’ve got a situation here! You need to get over here right away!”


    Noreen frowned, asking what had happened.


    Ramsey exined that the Aurelion Group team hade for the site visit. Everything was going smoothly–until, during the project discussion, Mr. Lowell from Division Three abruptly demanded a three percent cut from the valuation they’d already agreed upon. He imed Aero Edge’s drones were too industrial,ckedmercial appeal, and didn’t have the market share of other consumer brands–so he kept pushing the price down.


    “Secretary Gilmore, the only reason we even considered Aurelion Group was


    <b>2/3 </b>


    11:58


    because you seemed more sincere than the rest, and your proposal actually fit what AeroEdge needed. You know we had plenty of other investors interested. What you’re doing now–this isn’t ying fair! I’ll only negotiate with you from <i>now </i>on. If you don’te, then this deal is off the table!”