“What’s wrong?” Bianca looked up just in time to catch the odd expression on Seth’s face. Concerned, she asked quietly.
Seth casually snatched up the resignation letter and tossed it into his desk drawer. “It’s nothing. I’m done for the day. Let’s go grab dinner.”
“Alright.” Bianca’s eyes sparkled with anticipation at the thought of sharing a meal with him.
Noreen arrived at the arrivals gate right on time.
As soon as Dn emerged, he spotted her immediately.
“You really came to pick me up?” Dn grinned, clearly in high spirits.
Noreen smiled back. “Of course. I promised, didn’t I? I keep my word.”
“That’s more like it,” Dn chuckled, falling in step beside her as they left the airport together, chatting andughing.
Noreen had already reserved a table at a restaurant, so after picking Dn up, she drove straight there.
They arrived right at the dinner rush, and the ce was buzzing with diners.
Once they were seated, Noreen took a moment to tell Dn about the restaurant’s specialties.
Dn seemed pleased, but as they began to eat, he noticed that Noreen only picked at the lighter, more nd dishes.
He couldn’t help but a?k, “I remember you used to love spicy food. What’s up with the change?”
Noreen exined, “My stomach’s been acting up these past couple of years. The doctor told me to stay away from spicy stuff–so I’m stuck with the mild options for now.”
<b>11:38 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>53 </b>
“No wonder you’ve gotten so thin.” Dn frowned<b>, </b>studying her. <b>“</b><b>I </b><b>still </b>remember the first time I met you at Father Benedict’s house<b>, </b><b>you </b><b>had </b>the cutest round cheeks.”
He nced her up and down. “Now you’re as skinny as a rail.”
“Isn’t being slim a good thing?” Noreen asked with a shrug.
“No way!” Dn shot back instantly. “You need to take better care of yourself.”
With that, he waved the waiter over and ordered every nourishing, stomach–friendly dish on the menu.
Noreen tried to protest, but he cut her off.
“There’s no way I can eat all that!”
“I’ll help you! You have no idea how miserable I’ve been with nd foreign food these past few years. Every time Ie back, the first thing I do is run straight to a restaurant and devour real food!”
The two of them joked andughed, their easy banter filling the air with warmth.
On her way to the restroom, Bianca passed by the restaurant and, to her surprise, spotted Noreen.
Since Dn was facing away from her, Bianca didn’t see his face and didn’t recognize him.
But one thing was clear: Noreen was having dinner with another man.
The discovery thrilled Bianca. She hurried back to the private dining room, eager to share her news with Seth.
“Seth, guess who I just saw outside!”
“Who?”
“Secretary Gilmore!” Bianca lowered her voice for emphasis, watching Seth’s reaction closely.
<b>Chapter </b><b>53 </b>
Seth’s response was calm, almost indifferent. “And what’s <b>so </b><b>surprising </b>about that?”
“Running into Secretary Gilmore isn’t the interesting part! The interesting part is that she’s on a date–with a man!” Bianca made sure to highlight thest part.
“Eat your dinner,” Seth reminded her, unruffled.
Bianca watched his face, searching for even the slightest reaction, but found nothing. She was more than satisfied with what she saw.
Clearly, her worries had been unnecessary.
Seth didn’t have any feelings for Noreen. Over the past few years, Noreen had been the only woman around him, but it was obvious he just saw her as an assistant, nothing more.
After all, men have their needs. To put it bluntly, Noreen was just a convenient outlet for Seth.
Otherwise, how could seven years pass with absolutely no progress between them?
Besides, Bianca had never thought much of Noreen. Sure, the woman was pretty, but Bianca considered herself just as attractive.
What Bianca had, though, Noreen could only dream of–like an impable family background, and an elite education.
Those were things Noreen would never have, no matter how hard she tried.
That’s why Yvonne had always told Bianca there was no need to worry about Noreen. She should keep her eyes on Seth and let everything else fall into ce.
<b>Chapter </b><b>54 </b>