<b>Chapter </b>145


    Thement had been loud enough, the hint more than obvious.


    For once, Bianca’s cheeks flushed. Only after Lillian had walked away did she turn to Seth, a little embarrassed, and tried <i>to </i>exin. “Lillian’s always been loud and straightforward, ever since she was a kid. Don’t


    mind her.”


    Seth smiled, his eyes bright with amusement. “Mind what, exactly?”


    She hesitated, uncertain. “Mind her calling you my brother–inw, or mind her very public blessing just now?”


    Honestly–no sense of asion, flirting so openly.


    Seth really had changed.


    He used to blur every line between his personal and professional life, but in the end, even he had surrendered to love.


    He seemed like a stranger, someone Noreen barely recognized anymore.


    Maybe everything from the past had been nothing but a fleeting dream.


    Maybe the man she’d loved was only the version she’d created in her head, not the Seth standing before her now.


    Maybe she’d just been moved by her own imagination.


    Bianca seemed genuinely shy, unsure how to respond to Seth’s teasing.


    Just then, Noreen passed by, supporting Carman on her arm. She nced their way and, a little flustered, scolded yfully, “Hey, there are people around, you know.”


    Seth merely shot Noreen a detached nce before turning away, his expression unreadable.


    Noreen didn’t pause. She walked right past them, heading for the curb to g down a taxi.


    Bianca looked at Seth.


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    He opened the car door for her. “Shall we?”


    “Yeah, let’s go.”


    Right before climbing in, Bianca cast a fleeting look in the direction where Noreen had left, the corners of her mouth lifting in a faint, dismissive


    smile.


    She couldn’t have looked more unconcerned.


    Over the past few weeks, she’d watched and considered–and now she


    was certain.


    Seth felt nothing for Noreen. In fact, he was downright cold toward her.


    There was none of that possessive spark–men sometimes had for


    women.


    So what if Noreen had spent seven years by Seth’s side? Seven years, and he’d never once acknowledged her publicly, never given her any official


    status.


    That said it all.


    Noreen wasn’t a threat to her–she didn’t even register.


    Bianca saw no reason to worry about her at all.


    Their car circled the roundabout and drove right past Noreen, who was still waiting for a ride.


    Seth quietly rolled up his window, sealing them off from the cold outside, then turned to Bianca with gentle concern. “Don’t want you catching a chill


    from the draft.”


    Bianca smiled, her voice warm and sweet. “I know, you’re always looking


    out for me.”


    “By the way,” she said, “how did things go with Mr. Hollis today? Did you pitch the project I mentioned?”


    Seth nodded. “I did. He seemed impressed.”


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    Bianca’s confidence soared. “That’s a relief. Here’s hoping we get some good news tomorrow.”


    “We will.” Seth’s faith in her was unwavering.


    His trust always gave Bianca a sense of pride.


    After all, she was a PhD from WT Business School, a top talent Seth had recruited from abroad after several attempts.


    Not someone an ordinary graduate like Noreen could ever hope topete with.


    To even consider her a rival was almost insulting to Bianca’s education.


    Of course Seth didn’t spare Noreen a second thought–anyone with sense would do the same.


    Still, Bianca managed to keep her humility in check. She told Seth she nned to meet with her project team once they got back to the hotel, to make sure everything was ready for tomorrow’s summit–she wanted to make Aurelion Group proud.


    Seth looked at her with genuine concern. “Don’t work yourself too hard.”


    “I won’t,” Bianca replied, “just wish I could spend more time with you.”


    He was as thoughtful as ever. “Whatever you need, I’m happy to support you.”


    His unwavering trust left Bianca feelingpletely at ease.


    Meanwhile, Noreen and Carman stood by the curb for nearly ten minutes before they finally found a cab.


    Carman, half–sober from the chilly wind, felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t helped Noreen at all–in fact, she’d ended up looking after him.


    “Next time I have to go out for drinks, I’ll handle it myself,” Noreen told him quietly. “You don’t need to cover for me–I can take care of myself.”


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