<b>Chapter </b>123
Aurelion Group had its hands in nearly every branch of tech, but it was their microchip division that truly put them on the map.
It was thanks to this very project that Seth had turned Aurelion Group into a powerhouse–taking it from ambitious startup to industry titan.
Compared to small fry like Noreen’spany, which could barely get a foot in the door, Aurelion Group was a natural VIP at high–end industry summits. Invitations to such events were somonce for them, they barely warranted a second nce.
Of course, the idea had crossed Noreen’s mind before, but she’d always shied away from the thought of having to reach out to Seth, even in a strictly professional setting. The mere prospect of any entanglement with him–personal or otherwise–made her hesitate.
It was Jennifer who snapped her out of it.
“Business is business,” Jennifer had reminded her. “Don’t mix the personal with the professional. In this field, the circles are small. Sooner orter, you’ll keep running into the same people, whether you like it or not. Acting awkward only makes it look like you’re not over him.”
After their conversation, Noreen took a breath and dialed Seth’s number.
He picked up faster than she expected, which made her suspect he’d just been scrolling on his phone and answered without much thought.
“Mr. Harcourt, do you have a moment to talk?” Noreen’s tone was all business.
“What exactly counts as ‘having a moment‘?” Seth replied, a hint of dry amusement in his voice.
There was something strange about his voice, distorted by the phone’s speaker, and it struck her how unfamiliar it had be.
“I mean, am I interrupting anything important?”
20.02
Seth let out a softugh. “And if you are?”
“Then I’ll wait until you’re free,” she volleyed back.
Heughed again, this time sounding slightly exasperated. When he spoke again, his words were clipped. “I’m not busy. What do <i>you </i>want?”
Noreen didn’t bother with small talk. “About the summit–I need an
invitation. But I assume you’re not just going to give one away for free.”
She couldn’t believe she’d almost forgotten how much of a cutthroat capitalist he was.
Suppressing her irritation, she asked, “So, Mr. Harcourt, what’s your price?”
Seth’s tone turned yful again. “Noreen, I’m craving some cake.”
Noreen frowned, barely keeping her annoyance in check. Cake? Yeah, right–more like Bianca wanted cake.
Who eats cake in the middle of the night and isn’t worried about gaining weight?
Still, a deal was a deal. For two summit invitations in exchange for a
cake? That was a steal.
As for the cake itself… Well, bakeries were opente all over the city. She’d just pick something up on the way.
Besides, those two were in the honeymoon phase–so in love they probably wouldn’t notice if the cake was store–bought.
Seth texted her the address. It was a hotel–of course. Leave it to lovestruck couples to keep things interesting.
Noreen arrived, gave her name at the front desk, and was personally escorted to the penthouse suite.
Back when she’d helped Seth renovate his apartment, he’d lived here for nearly half a year. Ironically, it had been Noreen herself who’d hunted all over Rivercrest City to find a hotel that met his endless list of demands.
20:03
She was used to being the stepping stone for others by now. This wasn’t
her first time.
She couldn’t help but wonder if–while those two were tangled up in bed–they ever felt the slightest twinge of guilt about it.
A knock at the suite’s door pulled her from her thoughts.
Noreen stood to the side, waiting.
A momentter, Seth opened the door, looking freshly showered in nothing but a bathrobe.
The deep V–neck showed off a glimpse of toned abs. His hair was still damp, falling messily and softening the sharp angles of his face.
Spotting the hotel staff in the hallway, Seth pulled his robe tighter around himself, then turned to Noreen. “Youe in.”