Every aspect of her analysis was impressively thorough.


    Unable to contain her curiosity, Jennifer leaned in. “Did you studyputer science or something?”


    Noreen shook her head. “No, I didn’t.”


    Jennifer raised her eyebrows. “Really? You sound so knowledgeable–<b>l </b>just assumed you had a tech background.”


    “I make a point of fully researching every project before I get involved,” Noreen exined. “I need to figure out which ones are worth investing in, which to watch, and which to let go. So I end up knowing more than most, but honestly, it’s just surface–level–hardly an expert.”


    Jennifer already liked Noreen’s personality, but seeing her professionalism in action sealed the deal. Without hesitation, she grinned. “I’m in. I’ll invest in this project.”


    Noreen looked surprised. “But I haven’t even given you the details yet—”


    “Doesn’t matter. I trust your judgment.” Jennifer’s faith in her was


    absolute.


    Noreen was grateful. “Let’s set up a time to go over everything in detail.”


    “Anytime. I’ll be in Rivercrest City all week–just call me whenever you’re free.”


    Noreen raised her ss, ready to toast, but a sharp, biting voice cut through the air behind her.


    Jude.


    “Some people really are ungrateful, aren’t they? The kind that bites the hand that feeds them.”


    “Don’t be like that, Secretary Gilmore,” Bianca chimed in, as ifing to


    Noreen’s defense.


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    But Jude hadn’t named anyone. Bianca’s words only made things more obvious.


    “I’m just telling the truth,” Jude continued, voice edged with resentment. “Still working at Aurelion Group, but already introducing outside projects to otherpanies. Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s been double–dealing for a while. Seth should really look into it.”


    Bianca nced helplessly at Noreen. “Secretary Gilmore, I do think you should exin things to Seth. After all, you haven’t officially left yet.”


    Before Noreen could respond, Seth arrived.


    “What needs exining?”


    He looked at Noreen with cold indifference, his expression unreadable.


    Bianca spoke up. “Jude overheard Secretary Gilmore discussing projects with otherpanies. She just thought it was inappropriate, since Secretary Gilmore is still at Aurelion Group. If any confidential projects were leaked, it could be a problem.”


    Seth said nothing. His eyes narrowed, and a chill seemed to radiate from


    him.


    Jennifer couldn’t take it anymore. She stepped in to defend Noreen, but Noreen gently stopped her, her face calm as she addressed the group.


    “Director Lowell, you’re overthinking it. The project I mentioned to Mr. Shaw is one you already turned down. I felt bad for the people behind it, so I offered to help them find new investors. There’s no conflict of interest and nothing inappropriate about it.”


    She turned to face Seth, meeting his gaze head–on, unwavering.


    “In all my years at Aurelion Group, no one knows my character better than Mr. Harcourt. If you do have doubts, it might be best to approve my resignation sooner rather thanter–no need for Director Lowell to keep losing sleep over me.”


    Jude was taken aback–he’d never seen Noreen stand up to Seth like this, especially not in front of so many people. He, who usually had a snide


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    remark ready, was left speechless.


    Even Bianca was thrown off by Noreen’s resolve. She’d only meant to


    nudge Seth into resenting Noreen, never expecting Noreen to draw such a hard line.


    The atmosphere grew tense, hanging by a thread.


    Noreen braced herself, certain Seth would ignore her or brush aside her resignation, as he always had.


    Instead, he finally answered.


    “Fine,” Seth said. “Come in Monday to finalize your departure.”


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