Jude opened his mouth to say something else, but Seth gave him a sharp kick under the table.


    He shut up immediately, reading the room.


    Bianca didn’t press for more details. She seemed perfectly content, a subtle smile ying on her lips.


    Yves’s intentions toward Noreen were anything but innocent.


    So the moment she arrived, he made every effort to get her drinking.


    Unfortunately for him, Noreen could really hold her liquor, and before long it was Yves–who hadn’t drunk nearly as much–who started showing signs of tipsiness.


    Growing impatient, he finally cut her off mid–story, interrupting her with forced enthusiasm.


    “Noreen, I’ve never doubted your business instincts or your ability to lead a project. I know you’ll pull this off brilliantly.”


    “So, are you willing to invest, Mr. Selwyn?” Noreen didn’t bother with small


    talk.


    Yves leaned in, cing his hand over hers. “I can invest–but there are conditions attached. You’re a smart woman, I’m sure you know what I


    mean.”


    “Oh, I know,” she replied evenly.


    Yves’s eyes lit up, thinking Noreen had finallye around. Just as he reached for her, the private room door swung open from the outside.


    His ns were abruptly interrupted.


    Annoyed, he turned, ready to curse whoever had barged in.


    Noreen, meanwhile, stood up gracefully, slipping her hand free without


    20:23


    drawing attention. She greeted the visitor with a bright, weing smile. “Mrs. Selwyn, you made it! We’ve been waiting for you.”


    Yves’s smile froze, and he realized toote that Noreen had nned for this.


    He’d underestimated her.


    After all those years at Seth’s side, how could she not have picked up a few tricks? If she’de to this meeting alone, she must have


    considered everything.


    Mrs. Selwyn ignored Yvespletely, her focus on Noreen as she swept in and took her hand warmly. “Noreen! I’m so d to finally see you. I’ve been wanting to thank you for your help the other day.”


    “You’re far too kind, Mrs. Selwyn. It was nothing, really–happy to help.”


    “No, I insist. People should know how to be grateful. If you lose your sense of gratitude, you lose your humanity.”


    Yves coughed awkwardly on the side, clearly ufortable.


    Everyone present understood Mrs. Selwyn was taking a jab at him.


    Yves had always seemed like a man blessed by fortune. He didn’te from wealth, nor was he particrly striking, but somehow he’d managed to marry a rich heiress like Mrs. Selwyn.


    With her family’s backing, his business had flourished.


    As the saying goes, money changes a man. Once Yves was firmly established, he started showing his true colors, chasing after other women at every opportunity.


    Mrs. Selwyn had been hurt too many times to count, and in the end she simply turned a blind eye. Their interests were too entwined for divorce to ever be an option, thanks in no small part to her farsighted father, who’d put protections in ce before he died.


    In truth, Mrs. Selwyn and Noreen had only met twice. The first time hadn’t gone well at all.


    20-23


    Back then, Mrs. Selwyn was having lunch with a group of society wives when she spotted Yves and Noreen discussing business over coffee. Jumping to conclusions, she and her friends surrounded Noreen and gave her a hard time, convinced she was Yves’stest fling.


    When Noreen realized who she was dealing with, she calmly exined herself and managed to defuse the situation.


    Their second meeting was at a corporate g. Mrs. Selwyn, apanying Yves, had been tricked into wearing imitation jewelry. It seemed trivial, but in those circles, it was a major embarrassment. She’d panicked, hiding out in the restroom, terrified she’d be aughingstock.


    It was Noreen who came to her rescue, calling in a favor to get genuine jewelry delivered in time for her to swap out before anyone noticed.


    That was the “big favor” Mrs. Selwyn had mentioned.


    Mrs. Selwyn’s timely arrival put an end to Yves’s little scheme, forcing him to actually pay attention to Noreen’s project.


    And the truth was, the proposal was excellent.


    He arranged to meet her at his office the next day to discuss it in detail.


    As they left, Noreen and Yves ran into Seth and the others, who were also heading out.


    Mrs. Selwyn had gone to fetch the car, so only Noreen and Yves were left standing by the entrance.


    Jude caught sight of them together, a mischievous glint in his eye and a sly arch to his brow. His words dripped with innuendo. “Well, Noreen, you really are something. Managed to win over Mr. Selwyn in just one


    evening.”


    On instinct, Noreen nced at Seth standing behind him.


    His expression was unreadable.


    And for a second, it felt like he might be thinking the same thing.


    20-23


    People are fickle by nature.