If Noreen remembered correctly, Seth had been away on a business <b>trip </b>these past few days and was supposed to be flying back today.


    Noreen, for her part, hadn’t really bothered to keep up with Seth’s affairs.


    It was Sophia who had called, seeking advice about Seth’s preferences during business trips–what flights he liked to book, what kind of hotels he preferred, his dietary quirks, and whether he liked to head straight home afternding or stay overnight somewhere.


    Sophia had reasoned that nobody knew Seth’s likes and dislikes better than Noreen.


    When Sophia called for help, she sounded on the verge of tears,


    Noreen had asked if Seth hadn’t hired a new chief assistant since she left.


    Sophia said no, that HR had suggested it several times, but Seth had shot down the idea every time.


    Rumor had it, Sophia confided, that Mr. Harcourt was deliberately keeping that position open.


    And as for who it was reserved for–well, everyone could guess.


    Even Sophia had quietly asked Noreen if she was nning to return to Aurelion Group.


    Noreen’s answer was firm. “That day will nevere.”


    From the looks of things, Seth had probably rushed straight from the airport in Rivercrest City to have dinner with his beloved’s parents.


    Thoughtful, as always.


    But then, Seth had always gone above and beyond for Bianca.


    That kind of devotion was something Noreen would never have dreamed of for herself.


    She remembered how, back when Rosalind–her own mother–found out… she was dating Seth, she’d gently suggested meeting him. Noreen had dodged the issue for ages, making excuse after excuse.


    Eventually, she couldn’t keep up the charade and brought it up to Seth.


    She remembered his reaction perfectly: his face turned cold, his brows knit in irritation. The impatience in his eyes was impossible to miss, and his voice was icy. “What’s there to meet about?”


    At the time, Noreen was still basking in the glow of first love, and his words hit her like a bucket of ice water.


    Wasn’t dating supposed to mean mutual affection, meeting each other’s families, moving forward together?


    She was hurt for a long time and grew distant with Seth.


    Later, he tried to exin that he had no experience dealing with parents, and she had believed him–after all, he barely got along with his own father.


    Eventually, Seth did meet Rosalind, but it was a long timeing.


    And yet, Bianca had been back in the country less than two months, and Seth was already running around, arranging top surgeons for her mother’s operation and delivering rare ginseng to help her recover.


    His level of concern spoke volumes.


    Some things just can’t bepared.


    …


    Meanwhile, Carman had been waiting on Noreen’s answer for some time now. He was nothing if not persistent.


    Noreen had noticed this about him back when they first worked <b>together </b>


    Aurelion Group had dropped this project a while <b>ago</b><b>; </b>Carman <b>could </b><b>have </b>


    <b>07:30 </b>


    Chapter <b>103 </b>


    easily found new investors.


    He was a brilliant engineer, after all, and plenty of people would jump <b>at </b>the chance to back him.


    Noreen had known that from the start, which was why she’d poured her heart into winning him over, showing him nothing but sincerity.


    In the end, though, the deal had fallen through.


    Noreen hadn’t tried to hide anything; she’d told Carman the whole story, every detail, holding nothing back.


    She wanted him to know he still had better options out there.


    But Carman had been clear: “I only want to work with you.”


    “If you’re at apany, then I’ll work with yourpany. If you strike out on your own, then I’ll work with you. Either way, Noreen, it’s you I choose.”