“News sure travels fast around here.”


    Seth lounged in the booth, his handsome face utterly impassive, not a flicker of emotion to be seen.


    “If you hadn’t put your foot down, I bet Sean would’ve tried to poach Noreen. You know what he’s like–a total creep.”


    Seth didn’t respond. He just picked up his ss and took a <i>slow </i>sip.


    Healy looked surprised. “I thought you were allergic to alcohol?”


    “I’ve been doing desensitization therapy. I can handle a bit now.”


    Healy raised his eyebrows<i>, </i>more puzzled than before. “What made you suddenly start drinking again?”


    Jude jumped in before Seth could answer. “Obviously, he’s getting ready to shield Bianca from the shots. She’s his golden girl–the one that got


    away.”


    Healy was about to ask Seth for confirmation, but Bianca and Dn returned to the table.


    Healy switched back to the earlier topic. “So why are you giving Noreen such a hard time, anyway? Seven years is a long time to stick by


    someone. You’re not usually this cold.”


    “Oh,e on. Noreen brought this on herself. Seth’s just letting off steam,” Jude scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. “She thinks she’s all that, acting like Seth would beg her to stay. Just wait–she’lle crawling back, sooner orter.”


    Dn grabbed his jacket and addressed the group. “You guys carry on. I’ve got something to take care of.”


    “What could possibly be more important than a night out with your friends?” Jude called after him, trying to get him to stay.


    But Dn didn’t even look back as he walked out.


    07:29


    Bianca’s face had clouded over. Jude leaned in, concerned. “Bianca, you okay? You look pale.”


    She hesitated, then said, “I think Dn’s considering hiring Noreen.”


    Seth downed the rest of his drink in one go.


    The alcohol brought a flush to his cheeks, making his dark eyes seem even deeper and more mysterious.


    Fresh from the shower, Noreen sat down at her desk and opened herptop, scrolling through job postings.


    She’d take a smallerpany. She didn’t care if it meant a longer


    She wasn’t about to give up–not so easily.


    She refused to believe Seth’s influence could reach everywhere.


    As she browsed, her phone rang. An unfamiliar number shed on the


    screen.


    Noreen answered, and the caller introduced himself–a surprising one.


    Sean, from FortuneRise Group.


    Sean asked if she’d found a new position yet. Noreen answered honestly:


    not’yet.


    “How abouting to work for me as my assistant?” Sean offered.


    Noreen frowned. “But I interviewed for an investment manager position. Is there <i>some </i>mistake, Mr. Suthend?”


    “No mistake. I’m calling personally to see if you’d consider being my personal assistant,” he stressed the word “personal” a little too much.


    Noreen caught on immediately and refused, her tone leaving no room for doubt.


    Sean, stung by the rejection, snapped back, “Who do you think you are?


    07:29


    Everyone knows you’re yesterday’s news–Seth’s cast–off. He doesn’t


    want you, he’s cklisting you, and here I am, doing you a favor, but you put on airs? Please.”


    “Ungrateful.”


    Noreen hung up on him. For a moment, she was actually relieved she hadn’tnded the job at FortuneRise.


    If Sean was her boss, she wouldn’t havested long anyway.


    Seth’s interference wasn’t entirely useless, at least–it kept some of the


    dirt away.


    That thought made Noreenugh at herself.


    She fired off a few more résumés, not caring aboutpany size


    anymore.


    Anything that felt remotely suitable, she’d give it a shot. Who knew–maybe she’d get lucky?


    After she finished, she stood to head to the bedroom, but a sharp pain twisted through her abdomen, making her break out in a cold sweat.


    That feeling–too strong, too familiar.


    Her period. Early again.


    Ever since the miscarriage, her cycles had been a mess–irregr and unpredictable.


    And the cramps were worse than ever.


    <b>07-29 </b>