Carman’s mentor, Jed Hollis, was around sixty, and just as Carman had described–stern–faced and intimidating.


    Whenever Carman saw him, he tensed up like a mouse cornered by a cat, back slightly hunched.


    “Professor,” he greeted nervously.


    Jed only gave a brief nod, but his gaze shifted to Noreen. He studied her for a moment before asking, “Is this your girlfriend?”


    Carman nearly jumped out of his seat. “No, Professor, you’ve got it wrong. She’s my investor.”


    Jed’s expression softened a little. He clearly knew something about Carman’s business ventures, and after learning who Noreen was, his eyes held a new hint of respect.


    He even stood up to shake her hand. “Hello, I’m Holt’s mentor. Thank you for backing his project.”


    Noreen rose quickly and shook his hand with both of hers–a small but respectful gesture toward an elder. “You’re too kind, Professor Hollis. I’m just doing what any investor should.”


    Jed disagreed. In his mind, an investor was more than just a


    financier–they were a guide, a champion. Without a guiding hand, even the most talented would struggle to find their path.


    Noreen and Carman had barely settled into their seats when the door opened again.


    To Noreen’s surprise, it was Seth who arrived.


    Wasn’t he supposed to be dining with Bianca and her family? What was he doing here?


    This time, though, Seth hadn’t brought Bianca. With him was Matthew Cole, the investment director from Aurelion Group’s second division.


    <b>20.12 </b>


    Matthew looked genuinely surprised to see Noreen at a gathering like this. But with other people present, he kept his questions to himself.


    “Mr. Harcourt,” Jed greeted Seth, rising from his seat.


    He motioned for Carman to stand as well, then introduced him. “This is Mr. Harcourt from Aurelion Capital. He’s the one who organized tonight’s


    dinner.”


    Turning to Seth, he added, “This is my student, Carman. He’s here for the Al Summit. I needed to speak with him urgently, so I asked him to join us directly.”


    Seth waved away the formality. “Please, Professor Hollis, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. I know Mr. Holt as well. If I’d known he was in Harborcrest, I would have invited him myself.”


    Everyone understood these were just pleasantries. Still, Noreen couldn’t help but notice the respect Seth showed toward Carman’s mentor.


    Clearly, Jed Hollis’s status was formidable–otherwise, Seth wouldn’t have gone out of his way to host this dinner.


    In other words, everyone at this table was a heavy–hitter.


    Realizing this, Noreen immediately got up and made her rounds, greeting each guest, raising her ss, and exchanging business cards.


    Jude might have called her a “seasoned operator“-and, in this case, he wasn’t wrong.


    Years of navigating the business world had taught Noreen to seize every opportunity to build connections. She had no one pulling strings for her, so she had to rely on her own wits.


    When she finally reached Seth, she simply put her phone away, skipped over him without a word, and returned to her seat.


    Matthew Cole blinked in surprise. In all the years he’d known her, Noreen had always been unfailingly polite–almost deferential–toward Seth. This sudden cold shoulder was a first, and he didn’t quite know what to <b>make </b><b>of </b>it.


    <b>213 </b>


    Chapter <b>143 </b>


    Seth, however, didn’t seem bothered. He turned his attention to the


    summit’s other VIP guests, discussing ns for tomorrow’s event.


    Noreen listened intently, aware that their conversation might reveal the next big opportunity.


    Carman, on the other hand, looked a little lost. This kind of power–lunch was still new to him, and he struggled to find a way in.