Originally, Jude had nned to take Bianca out for a nighttime stroll along the bay–after all, Harborcrest City was famous for its dazzling waterfront views after dark.


    But after dinner, he didn’t mention it at all.


    No one was in the mood.


    Bianca said she needed to head back to the hotel for a debrief with her project team–figure out what went wrong, and get everyone’s spirits back up.


    “No wonder Bianca’s going ces,” Jude thought, genuinely impressed. “If it were me, I’d probably need ages to recover from a setback like this.”


    “It’s just one loss,” Bianca said, already collected. “And honestly? It’s a minor one. Either way, we


    made it onto the shortlist.”


    “Exactly!” Jude agreed. “I should take a page from your book.”


    As for Noreen…


    She just got lucky, that’s all.


    If it came down to real ability, how could she possibly measure up to Bianca?


    While Seth was settling the bill, a waiter wheeled a massive bouquet of sunflowers and a cake across the restaurant, heading toward a table on the right.


    Nearby, a couple of servers were gossiping in hushed tones.


    “Confession’s about to happen! Remember to switch the music–make it something romantic!”


    “When I went over to take their order, I saw the girl–she’s gorgeous, really elegant! No wonder Mr. Holt went to such lengths. Booked the ce in advance, nned everything down to thest detail.”


    “But… there’s <i>another </i>guy at their table. Wonder what that’s about?”


    Amid their chatter, the sunflowers and cake found their way to the intended table.


    Both Bianca and <i>Jude </i>caught sight of Noreen.


    Jude muttered, “Sunflowers again?”


    Seth came back just in time to hear him.


    He nced in Noreen’s direction–just a quick look, nothing more, no hint of emotion on his face.


    He seemedpletely unmoved by the fact that Noreen was being confessed to.


    Jude, who’d been quietly worried, felt a wave of relief.


    Clearly, Seth didn’t have any lingering feelings for Noreen.


    Even seeing her being the center of such a public disy, he didn’t bat an eye.


    That kind of indifference could only mean one thing: he didn’t care anymore.


    10:04


    As Seth turned away, Bianca slipped her arm through his. “Let’s go,” she said softly.


    He nodded and led her out.


    Jude hurried after them, identally bumping into a waiter and causing a bit of amotion.


    Noreen looked over–just in time to see Seth and Bianca leaving together, arm in arm.


    She froze for a moment, then finally understood.


    Back by the restroom, Seth’s coldness toward her–he’d been standing up for Bianca, hadn’t he? She’d stolen the spotlight from someone he cared about, so he’d swooped in with biting sarcasm, defending Bianca’s honor.


    So protective. So… pathetic.


    They’d kept out of each other’s way for so long, but now he just had to swoop in and ruin her night.


    Across the restaurant, Dn noticed the scene too.


    Unlike Noreen, he was secretly pleased to see Seth and Bianca together.


    The stronger their rtionship, the less he had to worry about Seth as a rival.


    Right now, though, he had anotherpetitor to watch out for.


    Carman had originally wanted to call off the whole sunflowers–and–cake spectacle, but Mina had reminded him that since confessing his feelings wasn’t really appropriate with so many people around, they could just treat it as a celebration for InnoCore’s big win.


    It was still meaningful.


    That’s exactly how Carman exined it to Noreen.


    She brightened instantly, and even insisted on cutting the cake herself.


    But Dn wasn’t fooled–he knew there was more going on.


    Guys could always tell what another guy was really thinking.