Noreen didn’t seem to care. She snatched the report <i>out </i>of Jude’s hand and walked straight to Human Resources.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Jude muttered, convinced Noreen was just putting on a show.
Meanwhile, Bianca trailed Seth into his office. “Seth, are you really letting Ms. Gilmore go?”
“Why wouldn’t I? She’s just a secretary,” Seth replied, his tone t and indifferent.
Bianca studied his face for a moment, searching for any trace of emotion. Two days ago, when Seth had picked her mother up from the hospital, Bianca had noticed faint marks on his neck–intimate marks, the kind you didn’t just get by ident. The discovery had unsettled her.
Still, she knew better than to confront him now; challenging a man like Seth would only push him away. So she pretended nothing was wrong, even as unease gnawed at her.
Who was the woman who’d left those marks on Seth’s neck? Was it
Noreen?
And if it was, why was Seth so willing to let her go?
Jude wandered back in, grumbling under his breath, just as the head of HR called Seth’s office.
Naturally, the call was about Noreen’s resignation.
Ms. Gilmore was a fixture at Aurelion Group. Even as a secretary, her influence and seniority went far beyond her job title. The HR manager didn’t dare make a decision on her resignation without <b>consulting </b><b>Seth </b>first.
But Seth’s response caught him off guard.
07:27
“Just followpany protocol,” Seth said coolly.
The HR manager hesitated, thinking perhaps Seth hadn’t realized who was resigning. He rified, “Mr. Harcourt, it’s Noreen Gilmore who wants to resign.”
Seth’s voice turned icy. “Didn’t you hear me? I said it doesn’t matter who it is. Handle everything ording topany policy. You don’t need to call me about this.”
With that, he hung up.
On the other end, the HR manager was left staring at the phone, looking distinctly ufortable.
Noreen seemed to sense what had happened. She remainedposed as she turned to the manager. “Please just process my resignation ording topany policy.”
“…Alright,” he replied, though he still seemed uneasy.
Once the paperwork was done, HR sent Seth a formal email. He approved it without a second nce.
Jude and Bianca were both in the office with him at the time. Watching Seth’spleteck of reaction, they finally realized Noreen was truly leaving Aurelion Group.
Even <i>so</i>, Jude remained skeptical. He couldn’t quite believe it. He was sure that even if Noreen left, she wouldn’t stay away for long–give it a few days, and she’d be back, looking to return to Seth’s side.
She’de running back, He was certain of it.
Just wait and see.
<i>Most </i>people, after working themselves to the bone for seven years, would drop everything and take a long, well–deserved break the moment they were free.
07:27
Not Noreen.
Maybe she was just born to be a workhorse.
On the very day she resigned, Noreen was already out meeting with potential partners.
She was there to discuss the Al Initiative Jennifer had mentioned.
To her surprise, Jennifer had chosen to meet at a high–end gentlemen’s
club.
This ce was famous for one thing: it had the best–looking male hosts in all of Rivercrest City.
Quintessential Jennifer.
When Noreen found the private lounge, Jennifer was already inside, nked by two of the club’s most handsome men.
They were clearly the top of the line–handsome, charming, and attentive. One was feeding Jennifer peeled grapes, the other pouring her wine, both calling her “gorgeous” and fussing over her.
Jennifer was positively glowing with delight. She waved Noreen in. “Noreen, don’t you dare be shy! You like a particr type? Just say so–my treat tonight. Let’s have some fun!”
07:27