Chances were, Bianca would be here too.


    Those two were practically glued at the hip.


    Noreen had no intention of engaging with Jude. Arguing with a guy like him felt about as productive as yelling at a dog–utterly pointless.


    Aplete waste of breath.


    She tried to sidestep him and head straight in, but Jude wouldn’t let it go. He grabbed her arm, deliberately goading her.


    “Noreen, why are you always so difficult? Do you have any idea how much effort Seth’s put into winning Bianca back? When Bianca and Dn’s rtionship hit the rocks a year ago, Seth dropped everything to chase after her. He’s practically been racking up frequent flyer miles ever since, and now, finally, he’s got his happy ending. Can’t you take the hint and just disappear from his life?”


    Noreen turned back, her voice icy. “Then do him a favor and send those two up to the sun, let them bask in peace up there. He can spend eternity with whoever he wants, and when they both burn to ashes, they can be together forever.”


    Jude was stunned; he’d never seen Noreen this sharp. For once, he was at


    a loss for words.


    It was only after Noreen had left that he snapped out of it, kicking over a nearby vase in frustration and making a racket.


    When he returned to the private suite, the scowl on his face hadn’t faded.


    “Just my damn luck,” Jude muttered, unable to keep anything to himself.


    Bianca nced over. “What’s wrong? Who got under your skin this time?”


    Jude was practically waiting for someone to ask. Finally, the chance to


    vent.


    “Ran into something filthy out there.”


    20:23


    “This ce just opened,” Bianca replied, puzzled. “Where would there be anything filthy?”


    They were here today to support Jude. He’d gone in with a handful of other rich kids to open this new club. Sure, it wasn’t as shy as the Hesper Lounge, but it wasn’t far off either.


    After all, none of them were short on money.


    “I don’t mean a thing, I mean a person,” Jude said, downing half a ss of whiskey to cool off. “Bumped into Noreen at the door.”


    At the mention of that name, Bianca instinctively nced at Seth, who was half–reclining on the couch with his eyes closed, looking as if he might be asleep–or maybe just pretending.


    Bianca turned back to Jude. “What did she say to get you so riled up?”


    Jude wasn’t about to repeat Noreen’s actual words–he’d never been put in his ce by her like that before. But he still couldn’t swallow his pride.


    “It’s nothing,” he grumbled. “She’s always got a nasty tongue. But she won’t have thestugh, that’s for sure.” He suddenly remembered what he’d just found out and smirked. “You know what else? I just heard Noreen’s here to see Yves Selwyn–you know, Monarch Capital’s Mr. Selwyn. The one you metst time, Bianca. The guy who tried something shady before he knew who you were.”


    “I remember him,” Bianca said, her brow furrowing. “He’s got a bit of a reputation. Noreen knows exactly what kind of man he is, and she’s still meeting with him?”


    By now, Noreen’s search for investors wasn’t much of a secret. Bianca had heard bits and pieces, so she could guess what Noreen wanted with


    Yves.


    “Yves has always had his eye on her,” Jude said, his tone gleeful. “Back when she was with Seth, he didn’t dare cross the line. Now that they’re done, she’s bound to get burned.”


    Bianca frowned slightly. “Noreen’s from Aurelion Group, after all. Maybe I


    20.23 8


    Chapter <b>111 </b>


    should go say hello, just in case.”


    “Bianca, you’re too soft,” Jude scoffed. He nudged Seth with his foot. “Seth, you gonna do something about this?”


    Seth shifted, barely cracking an eyelid. “Not my business.”


    Jude grinned. “See? Seth doesn’t care.”


    “And honestly, if we butt in, she might just use us of meddling and ruining her chances.”


    A fleeting smile passed through Bianca’s eyes, but her voice was tinged with a sigh. “True enough. These days, if a woman wants to make it in the business world, she either needs serious connections or has to make


    certain sacrifices.”


    “Just goes to show how much Seth cares about you,” Jude added quickly. “You have no idea–when he found out things were rocky between you and Dn, he could barely sit still. He kept flying out of the country, just to be near you!”


    Bianca blinked. “When did that happen?”


    “You didn’t know? Seth’s got it bad for you, and he hides it well.”


    <b>3/3 </b>