Bianca caught his meaning and didn’t press further. It was still early–she had time. Besides, with Jude acting as her eyes and ears, she wasn’t


    worried about missing any important news.


    Just then, Seth called, probably to say he’d arrived downstairs.


    She turned to the two men. “Seth’s here. Let’s head down.”


    “You go ahead,” Dn replied. “I’ll just shut down myputer.”


    Jude started to follow Bianca out, but Dn called him back, saying he needed a hand with something.


    Jude looked bewildered. What help could he possibly offer?


    As soon as Bianca left, Dn rounded on Jude. “How many times do I have to tell you? You can’t just go blurting out confidential business info to outsiders! Can’t you remember that?”


    Jude looked genuinely wronged. “But Bianca’s not an outsider! We all grew up together–she almost married into the Wilder family, for God’s sake. How can you say she’s an outsider?”


    “You’re overthinking it,” Dn replied, cool and dismissive.


    “What do you mean, overthinking? You two were together for years. If you hadn’t broken up, you’d probably have a kid by now!”


    “There have been plenty of women I’ve dated. Am I supposed to marry them all?”


    Jude was at a loss for words.


    Outside.


    Bianca stepped out of the office and happened to see Dn’s secretary moving boxes. Something familiar caught her eye, and she paused.


    “Hold on,” she called out to the secretary.


    She picked up an unopened box from the stack, turning it over in her


    200


    hands. Once she saw what it was–a gift she’d given Dn at his induction ceremony back at Omniva Group–her expression changed.


    The secretary looked puzzled. “These are just things Mr. Wilder doesn’t need. I was going to move them to storage. Is there a problem?”


    Bianca ced the box back in the carton, shook her head, and said, “No, it’s fine. Sorry to trouble you.”


    She walked away quickly.


    As soon as the elevator doors closed, the wlessposure on her


    face crumbled.


    She thought of the little orange tree Noreen had given Dn, the one he kept on his desk and tended with such obvious care.


    But the gift she had carefully chosen? He hadn’t even looked at it–just handed it off for the secretary to deal with.


    The double standard stung more than she cared to admit.


    Meanwhile, Noreen had just left Omniva Group and spotted Seth.


    The guy was, by any measure, striking–tall, broad–shouldered, a face that could stop traffic. Even in a crowd, he stood out. Women passing by couldn’t help but stare, some whispering to each other.


    “Did you see that guy? He’s gorgeous. He’s literally my type!”


    “Mine too! I’m so jealous of his girlfriend–she’s really got it good.”


    “I wonder if he’s as strong as he looks. With those arms… let’s just say, he probably knows what he’s doing.”


    Noreen cleared her throat loudly, reminding them they were in public. The women fell silent, looking away in embarrassment.


    It was rush hour, and the lobby was bustling with peopleing and going.


    Seth was standing by the entrance, eyes glued to his phone,pletely missing Noreen as she walked right past him. She didn’t make any effort


    20.04


    to avoid him; even if he had noticed, she’d have kept her head high. She hadn’t done anything wrong–why should she hide?


    After waiting a while without hearing from Bianca, Seth finally called her.


    When she answered, his voice was warm. “I’m here. Come <i>on </i>down.”