When Seth greeted Dn, Noreen was right by Dn’s side.


    She felt a pang of guilt and unconsciously tightened her grip on Dn’s arm, avoiding Seth’s gaze.


    But soon enough, she realized she was overthinking it.


    Seth didn’t seem to care who she’d arrived with, not even sparing her a second nce.


    After exchanging a few words with Dn, he simply moved on to find


    Bianca.


    Noreen felt a wave of frustration at her own weakness–how, even now, Seth’s mere presence could still unsettle her.


    But she tried to reassure herself: letting go was never going to happen


    overnight.


    It would take time.


    At least, she told herself, she was already doing much better than before.


    Seth’s arrival seemed to breathe new confidence into Bianca.


    She clung to his arm for the rest of the evening, never once letting go.


    And Seth–being <i>one </i>of Rivercrest City’s most sought–after rising stars in finance–was always at the center of attention wherever he went.


    Bianca, by his side, drew more than a few curious stares.


    As Noreen stepped out of the restroom, she overheard a conversation nearby.


    “Who’s that Miss Lowell with Seth? He’s pretty protective of her–their rtionship seems more than just casual.”


    “You haven’t heard? She’s likely the Harcourt family’s intended match,


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    Forrest’s daughter.”


    The other woman clearly knew the Lowells, and kept her voice low. “Forrest’s career has been going well these past couple of years, but there’s still a huge gap between his family and the Harcourts, isn’t there?” “Forrest only just transferred back to Rivercrest a little over a year ago—it wasn’t even a promotion, just ateral move.”


    “To most people, he might seem high up, butpared <i>to </i>the old–money families, he doesn’t evene close.”


    “If Seth is willing to personally vouch for Miss Lowell, introducing her to all his connections, it can only mean one thing: he’s serious about her. She’s not just some pretty distraction on the side.”


    “Looks like we’ll have to get closer to Director Lowell from now on.”


    With Seth backing them, the Lowells were bound for bigger things. The earlier you cozy up, the better your chances–wait too long and you won’t even make the list.


    They hurried away, eager to ingratiate themselves with Seth and Bianca, while Noreen stood frozen in ce, lost in thought.


    She remembered the conversation she’d overheard outside the private room that day.


    Jude’s voice echoed in her mind:


    “If <i>you </i>like her that much, just keep her around after you’re married.”


    So, was that all she’d ever been to Seth? Just some ything he kept for his own amusement?


    Was that why he refused to ept her resignation–because he hadn’t had his fill yet?


    Just as Jude had said: even if Seth married someone else, he could always keep her on the side.


    Calling her when it suited him; discarding her just as easily.


    A chill seeped through her, as if she’d been encased in ice.


    Seven years–what a cruel joke.


    “Noreen! There you are!”


    Jennifer’s cheerful voice yanked her out of her frozen stupor.


    “Mr. Shaw,” Noreen greeted, forcing a smile.


    Jennifer took her hand and frowned. “Why are your hands so cold?”


    “I must’ve juste in from outside,” Noreen said, offering the first excuse that came to mind.


    Jennifer led her toward a warmer corner of the room, eager to catch up.


    When she learned that Noreen still hadn’t managed to resign from Aurelion Group, her brows knit in concern. “What’s Seth ying at? He won’t give you the position or pay you deserve, but he won’t let you go either? That’s beyond unfair.”


    Noreen didn’t want to dwell on these troubles, so she steered the


    conversation toward the Al Initiative project.


    Jennifer’s interest was instantly piqued, and the two of themunched into an animated discussion.


    After all, aside from Carman, Noreen knew the project better than anyone.