Bianca leaned in, lowering her voice. “What’s she doing here? Did Omnival Group invite her?”
Jude gave a derisive snort. “As if! Who knows where she scrounged up an invitation. Noreen’s always scheming–bet she’s here for theworking opportunities.”
That was exactly what Bianca had suspected, and Jude’s words only confirmed her suspicions.
“Someone like her, wing her way up from the bottom, she’s <i>not </i>going to let a single chance slip by. Miss one, and it might nevere again.”
Jude’s mood had soured after Noreen’s snarkyment earlier; he clearly wanted nothing to do with her. “Let’s not talk about her. She’s like a bad penny–always turning up. If I were Seth, I’d fire her on the spot!”
“Seth’s not the type to mix business with personal feelings. Unless Secretary Gilmore actually slips up, he won’t fire anyone without cause.”
Jude groaned. “Exactly! Seth’s too much of a straight arrow, and that’s why someone as conniving as Noreen can keep getting under his skin!”
“Enough about her,” Bianca said, steering the conversation away. “Did Dn bring a date tonight?”
Jude shook his head right away. “Nope, not a chance. And even if he did, you know you’re the only one he’d ever consider bringing. You’re the only one who could keep up with him.”
Bianca’s smile grew. “Come on, let’s head inside. I brought Dn a little gift for his new position<b>.</b>”
As they entered, they spotted Dn across the room. He had just greeted Noreen and was exchanging a few words with her.
Bianca strode over with confident poise and greeted him warmly. “Congrattions<b>, </b>Dn! I brought you something–I hope you’ll make even more of a mark at Omniva Group.”
21.24
“Thank you.” Dn epted the gift and passed it to his assistant without a second nce.
He didn’t even bother to unwrap it.
Bianca had expected at least a flicker of anticipation. Her smile faltered for a split second. “Aren’t you going to open it?”
“I’m a bit tied up right now. I’ll open itter.”
His answer seemed to reassure her, at least on the surface. “Well, I made sure it’s something you’d like. I’ve always remembered your preferences.”
There was an unspoken intimacy in her words–just enough to hint at their past, but not enough to cross any lines.
She struck the perfect bnce.
Just then, someone else approached Dn to offer congrattions. Bianca, seizing the moment, picked up a ss of champagne and prepared to stand by Dn’s side, just like they used to at receptions
abroad.
But before she could step forward, Dn bent his arm–and Noreen, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, slipped her hand through it.
Bianca’s expression froze.
Jude looked just as stunned, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
If there hadn’t been so many people around, he would have marched right over and demanded to know what spell Noreen had cast on Dn.
Why her of all people?
Anyone else would have been better–why did it have to be Noreen?
But Dn had no time for their shock. He guided Noreen around the room, introducing her to one guest after another.
There were board members from Omniva Group, as well as important
partners.
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21-24 1
Omniva Bank had nearly fifty years of history behind it, a legacy that fledglingpanies like Aurelion Group–barely seven years
old–couldn’t hope to match.
Aurelion might be growing faster now, and its assets might have even surpassed Omniva’s, but Omniva’s status as an established leader in the financial world was unshakable.
For professionals in the industry, these people were connections worth their weight in gold.
That was why Bianca hade to this g in the first ce.
She’d been sure that, given her history with Dn, he’d at least throw her a bone and introduce her to a few key yers.
But now, watching him and Noreen work the crowd together, Bianca felt a sharp pang of envy.
Luckily, Seth arrived just then.
Noreen had expected he woulde. After all, if Bianca was here, how could Seth not show up?