Truthfully, this was just the recovery phase after surgery–there wasn’t much to do.


    Besides, Noreen had already hired a nurse, so everything was under control.


    When Noreen took the elevator downstairs, she unexpectedly ran into a


    familiar face.


    The other person was just as surprised to see her.


    “Secretary Gilmore? What brings you here?”


    Carman Holt was holding a thermos, clearly visiting someone in the hospital as well.


    “My mom’s been admitted,” Noreen exined, then asked, “How about you, Mr. Holt? Visiting someone close?”


    “My mother. She took a fall a few days ago.”


    “Was it serious?”


    “She broke a bone, but it’s nothing too bad.”


    “I’m d to hear she’s okay.”


    Noreen and Carman had met through work–on that Al Initiative project she’d been so optimistic about, only for Bianca to veto it at thest


    minute.


    Thinking of it now, Noreen felt a little embarrassed. She’d been the one to approach Carman in the first ce.


    Carman, for his part, hadn’t understood why things changed so abruptly. Now that they’d run into each other, he decided to just ask.


    “Secretary Gilmore, wasn’t Aurelion Group really interested in my Al


    14:27


    application? Why did they suddenly back out of the deal?”


    Carman was a tech guy, not one for corporate games, and he spoke inly.


    “I’m really sorry. Aurelion Group brought in a new investment


    director–she’s the one making all the calls now. I don’t have a say in these things anymore.”


    Carman frowned. “I thought something was off. You handled everything from the start, but in the end, it was someone else who told me the deal


    was off.”


    “I’m sorry.”


    Carman shook his head. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. You went back and forth so many times for this project and walked away empty–handed. I should be the one apologizing.”


    “At least it was still early days. You can still find new investors–I hope this hasn’t set you back.”


    “I’ve talked to a few others since, but honestly, I don’t think they get what I’m trying to do. All they care about is profit.” Carman let out a long sigh. “You were the only one who really understood me, Secretary Gilmore.”


    Their conversation drifted in that direction, and Carman finally voiced something that had puzzled him for a while. “Secretary Gilmore, I’ve always wondered–someone with your insight and ability is wasted as a secretary. You could have been an independent investor a long time ago. Why stick around Aurelion Group as an executive assistant?”


    Noreen found herself at a loss for words.


    Why indeed?


    Carman seemed to sense her difort and didn’t press further.


    Instead, he offered, “Secretary Gilmore, have you ever thought about striking out on your own? If you ever decide to raise capital or start a project, I’d wait for you.”


    14:27


    He hesitated, then scratched his head awkwardly. “But I can’t wait forever–my studio has a lot of people depending on me.”


    Sophia had suggested something simr before, and Noreen had been tempted then.


    Now, hearing Carman say it too, she couldn’t help but waver.


    But she still had her contract to deal with, so she couldn’t give him a definite answer.


    “I’ll think about it,” Noreen replied.


    Carman brightened. “I’ll be waiting for good news.”


    After they parted ways, Noreen stood outside waiting for her ride, turning


    Carman’s words over in her mind. She didn’t notice Seth and Bianca


    standing just behind her.


    Nearby, someone sighed, “What a gorgeous couple. They look perfect together.”


    “If those two had kids, they’d be beautiful!”


    Noreen nced back, then quickly looked away.


    Just then her car pulled up. Without hesitation, she got in and closed the door, shutting out the noise from outside.