Noreen hurried over to help. With practiced movements, she reced the IV bag and cleared out the air bubbles, her hands steady and efficient.


    Carman couldn’t help but ask, curiosity getting the better of him. “How do you know how to do that?”


    She gave a small shrug. “My mom’s health hasn’t been great. I picked it up taking care of her.”


    “Oh,” Carman replied, and then found himself at a loss for words.


    He was more of a tech guy–great withputers, hopeless with people, especially women. Mina knew this about him all too well and was always trying to coach him on how to talk to girls. She’d offered him a whole arsenal of tips, but Carman never really figured out how to use them. Whenever he tried, the conversation would circle in his mind until, by the time he opened his mouth, it came out sounding like a project update. “Did everything go okay today?”


    “Not bad,” Noreen said, her tone still upbeat. “I’ve got meetings at two morepanies this afternoon.”


    But Carman had noticed the raw skin on the back of her heel–her high heels had rubbed it raw. He didn’t say anything, just pressed the call button to summon a nurse and asked for some ointment for blisters.


    Noreen thought he’d hurt himself and leaned in, concerned. But then Carman handed her the ointment, nodding toward her heel as a gentle hint.


    Noreen blinked in surprise–she hadn’t even realized her foot was bleeding. Her mind had been entirely on the project.


    “Do you really have to wear those shoes?” Carman asked. “You could go for something morefortable.”


    She shook her head, a little smile lifting her lips. “A polished image really does help with professionalism. It builds trust with clients.”


    Carman’s eyes widened in understanding. “That makes sense.”


    The truth was, Carman had been approached by a few other investment firmstely, but he’d turned them all down. Seeing how hard Noreen was. working, he started to wonder if he should reach out after all. As soon as she left, he picked up the phone and called each of those firms one by


    one.


    They were all interested in his project–until he mentioned he already had a seed investor. Then, like clockwork, each one made some excuse to pass. In this line of business,ing inte means a smaller share and bigger risks. Unless a heavyweight investores in during the early rounds, nobody wants to y catch–up.


    That’s exactly why Noreen kept hitting dead endstely.


    Reality could be harsh, but Noreen took it in stride. Years of pitching had given her nerves of steel. Back when she’d started, Seth had taught her ‘the ropes, but his methods were strict and his standards sky–high. If she made a mistake, he’d call her out–no sugar–coating, no second chances.


    Under that kind of pressure, Noreen improved quickly and learned how to handle stress. So now, setbacks like these barely fazed her. She wasn’t about to let it get her down.


    She used to think Seth was just toughening her up, preparing her to manage projects on her own. But seeing how differently he treated Bianca–with all the care and protection in the world–Noreen realized she might have been kidding herself. There was no “tough love,” just indifference. Only Bianca, his darling, ever got his full attention and


    support.


    That evening, when Noreen was sure the day would end in


    disappointment, her phone rang. Mr. Selwyn from Monarch Capital was on the line. He said he was interested in her project and invited her to


    meet at The Velvet Club.


    She checked the time. It waste, but what if he really meant it? Noreen hailed a cab and headed over.


    20:23


    As she arrived at the club, she ran into Jude at the entrance.


    He spotted her and immediately scowled. “Noreen, are <i>you </i>stalking Seth now? Found out he was here and just had to show up? You’re like gum stuck to his shoe–can’t shake you off, can he?”


    Noreen froze.


    Seth is here too?