“We’re getting old–we don’t really understand all this new technology,” Chase admitted with augh. “But my son’s been studying this stuff for the past couple of years. I’ll have hime in and talk to you!”
He was so excited that he called his son right then and there.
Noreen frowned slightly. She remembered that Chase’s son was Healy. And only an hour ago, she’d had a rather unpleasant run–in with him.
Still, business was business. She wasn’t about to let personal feelings get in the way, and she trusted Healy wouldn’t either.
Healy wasn’t like Jude. He actually had some talent.
After returning from his studies abroad two years ago, he’d joined Naylor Automotive Group and had been pushing for innovation ever since–developing new energy vehicles and <i>autonomous </i>driving technologies.
At that moment, Healy was at The Eastern Gardens, keeping Bianca and Judepany on the golf
course.
Seth hadn’t arrived yet, so Healy and Jude were dutifully entertaining Bianca.
When his father called and exined the situation, Healy turned to hispanions. “My dad’s asked me to meet some of his business friends. I’ll be back soon.”
“Hurry up then! Once Seth gets here, we’re due for a rematch!” Jude called after him.
Following his father’s directions, Healy found the private dining room. Before entering, he took a moment to straighten his tie and smooth his hair, wanting to make a good impression on the older generation.
He knocked, smiling broadly as he stepped inside to greet everyone.
But the smile froze on his face the instant he saw Noreen.
She didn’t even nce his way, quietly sipping her tea with studied detachment.
Chase gave his son a nudge. “What are you standing there for? Come on, say hello to Ms. Gilmore!”
Ms. Gilmore?
Healy was momentarily confused.
Chase continued, “This is Ms. Gilmore from Winrich Capital. She’s leading an Al Initiative that would be a perfect match for ourpany. I don’t know much about this sort of thing, so I wanted you to discuss it with her.”
“You’re both about the same age–get to know each other. It’ll make future cooperation a lot easier.”
Healy had no choice but to bite the bullet and greet her. “Hello, Ms. Gilmore.”
Never in his life had he imagined he’d have to speak to Noreen in this polite, formal way.
<b>11.19 </b>
Noreen, for her part, gave him a cool, courteous nod–just enough to be polite, but not an inch more.
Her attitude now was exactly the same as how he’d always treated her in the past.
How the tables had turned.
Healy had only himself to me.
But what really shocked him was the fact that Wade had brought Noreen to this dinner. Healy <i>knew </i>he wasn’t even important enough to get a seat at this kind of table.
Jude, that idiot… was he supposed to swallow this or choke on it?
Professionally, Healy still had some substance to offer. He began exining his ideas to
Noreen–how Al could be leveraged to revolutionize the automotive industry.
For reasons known only to himself, Healy dropped one technical term after another, perhaps to show off, or perhaps to test her.
He’d always assumed Noreen was just an investor–her stake in InnoCore probably came down to luck, as far as he was concerned. She was likely only here because of Wade.
He’d heard she had a talent for reading people, and today he was finally seeing it firsthand.
Noreen could tell Healy was trying to trip her up.
But he didn’t really know Noreen at all.
Over the years, Aurelion Group had invested in every kind of project imaginable. As Seth’s assistant, Noreen had always done her homework, learning the ins and outs of each industry before every deal.
She’d made it a habit: every project meant diving deep, studying all the key technical knowledge until she could speak thenguage, if not quite at an expert’s level, then at least enough to hold her own in conversation.
Besides, Healy wasn’t a true specialist himself. How tough could his questions really be?