Noreen smiled politely and declined, “I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Shaw, but I’ll pass. I’m really not into this sort of thing.”
Jennifer grinned, her tone teasing. “Makes sense. After you’ve been with
a man like Mr. Harcourt, I guess everyone else starts to look a little
nd.”
Noreen had no idea how to respond to that, so she busied herself with her ss of water, hoping her awkwardness didn’t show.
Jennifer let the joke hang in the air a moment longer before finally waving the two models away.
Once they were alone, Noreen brought up the project.
“Now that you’ve resigned, are you thinking about going solo, or joining another firm?” Jennifer seemed genuinely curious.
“I’m nning to join apany,” Noreen replied honestly.
She knew she wasn’t ready to start her own business–she didn’t have the resources or experience for it. Even if Seth didn’t go out of his way to make things difficult, the risks were still sky–high. She’d weighed the options carefully before making her decision.
Johnson had already helped her screen a few solidpanies. She’d even had preliminary talks with their HR departments, and the feedback had been positive.
“Qunda Group?” Jennifer recalled that Noreen had met with Mr. Quigley before.
“Yeah, Qunda Group offered the best terms out of all of them,” Noreen admitted.
“So does that mean you’ll be bringing your project to Qunda Group?<b>” </b>
Noreen nodded.
Jennifer leaned back in her chair. “I’ll be straight with you, Noreen. <b>Qunda </b>
07:28
Group has a cash flow problem. If you’reing to me on behalf of Qunda Group, this deal probably won’t happen.”
Noreen froze for a moment.
“On paper, their numbers look wless<b>, </b>so not many people know about this, I only heard through some special channels. You know how it <b>is</b>–business is business<b>,” </b>Jennifer added, sounding a little apologetic.
Noreen understood Jennifer’s position–it was just business. Still, if even Qunda Group didn’t have the resources to meet Jennifer’s standards, there weren’t many otherpanies in Rivercrest City that could.
Sensing Noreen’s hesitation, Jennifer seized the moment. “Let me give you some advice, Noreen, from someone who’s been through it all.”
“If you like someone, don’t hesitate–take him to bed, whether or not you win his heart. If he’s rich, go for his money; if he’s not, at least enjoy the man. If he’s got neither, well, try something new. If you’re lucky, you’ll get love; if not, at least you’ll have a good time.”
“In the end, men–they’re either for sleeping with or for using.”
Noreen heard the real message beneath Jennifer’s words.
She wanted ess to Aurelion Group’s resources.
And honestly, why would anyone invest in her when she had nothing to offer?
Jennifer gave Noreen’s shoulder a friendly squeeze. “Think about what I said. Life’s about being practical, not moralistic. Women who are too principled end up with neither money nor love. Just look at me.”
While Noreen was in the restroom, Jennifer called the models back into the private room.
When Noreen returned, she was startled to find the ce full of them. Jennifer greeted her with delight. “Noreen,e over here–see if any of
07:28
them catch your eye!”
“Mr. Shaw, really, I’m good,” Noreen said, trying not to rain on her friend’s parade, but she genuinely wasn’t interested,
“Oh,e on! There are a couple here who look a lot like Mr. Harcourt.”
Noreen just sighed internally.
Jennifer insisted on dragging her over, and two of the models obligingly came up and linked arms with her.
“Pick me, darling,” one <i>of </i>them said.
Before Noreen could even <i>protest</i>, a familiar voice rang out from the hallway.
“9208, Seth, this is the one.”
Jude’s voice echoed as he pushed open the half–closed door.
He stopped cold at the sight inside.
Once he took in the scene, Jude let out a cold, mockingugh. “Well, well, Noreen. Didn’t know <i>you </i>had it in you.”
<b>07.28 </b>