<b>Chapter </b><b>146 </b>


    “I know I can’t really hold my liquor, but I still wanted to take a drink for you. I figured, if I could handle one for you, that’s one less you have to drink…”


    Those simple words seemed to chase away the winter chill lingering over Harborcrest City.


    Noreen didn’t add anything more.


    Carman was quiet for a long time before she finally asked, as gently as she could, “Are you okay?”


    Noreen looked a little puzzled.


    Did she really look that bad?


    Carman stammered, “Just now, when the car passed by, I saw Mr. Harcourt. He rolled up the window right in front of you.”


    Noreen’s expression said she’d nearly forgotten about it until Carman brought it up. “Honestly, it doesn’t really bother me anymore.”


    She meant it, whether or not Carman believed her.


    “In this world, no one can stick by your side forever. And there’s no one you absolutely can’t live without.”


    “Life goes on, with or without anyone.”


    The next morning, Bianca‘ was woken by a knock at her door.


    Assuming it was Seth, she hurried over, only to find Jude standing there with a suitcase in tow, fresh off a flight to Harborcrest City.


    “Surprised to see me?”


    Jude grinned, his suitcase blocking the hallway.


    “What are you doing here?” Bianca asked, genuinely caught off guard.


    20:13


    “I’m here to learn from the best, of course!” Jude craned his neck, peering over her shoulder. “Where’s Seth? Still asleep?”


    “Yeah, he’s not up yet.”


    “Oh no! Am I intruding?” Jude pped his forehead dramatically, pretending the thought had just urred to him. “I’ll just wait for you guys in the dining room then! Take your time, no rush, don’t worry about me!”


    And with that, he wheeled off toward the elevator.


    Jude ended up waiting in the restaurant for nearly an hour before Seth and Bianca finally showed up, looking far too rxed for the early hour.


    Jude didn’t ask why they’d kept him waiting.


    They were all adults here–some things didn’t need spelling out.


    Bianca took her seat and turned to Jude. “So what brings you to Harborcrest City?”


    “I’m really here to learn!” Jude insisted. “Dad’s always saying I’m a good–for–nothing, always nagging me to take a cue from the overachievers in Rivercrest City. So I figured, why note see what I can pick up from the best of the best?”


    His “role models,” of course, included Bianca herself.


    After all, Bianca had a PhD in Economics from WT Business School–a credential Jude could only dream of.


    As a second–generation heir to one of the country’s oldest and wealthiest families, Jude had grown up with a sense of entitlement that was almost impossible <i>to </i>shake.


    Anyone he respected was truly someone remarkable.


    Seth made the cut.


    So did Bianca.


    Noreen, on the other hand, was never included in that category. Jude had


    20.13


    never bothered to hide his disdain for her.


    In his eyes, Noreen had gotten ahead at Aurelion Group by relying on her looks and connections–climbing her way up to chief secretary through backdoor deals and favoritism, shamelessly aspiring to trade her way up the socialdder.


    What a joke.


    At least Seth hadn’t fallen for someone as calcting as Noreen. He’de to his senses just in time.


    “Bianca, help your little brother out, will you? If I keep this up, Dad’s going to cut me off for good!” Jude pleaded, only half joking.


    Last year, his father had given him half a billion dors to try his hand at investing.


    Jude, true to form, managed to lose it all in under a year.


    His dad was so furious, he ended up in the hospital for a week, vowing to cancel Jude’s credit cards and ship him overseas if he didn’t finally get his act together.


    Bianca couldn’t help but smile at Jude’s dramaticints. “Alright, as it happens, I’ve got something lined up today that should open your eyes. Watch carefully and see what you can learn.”