<b>Chapter </b><b>190 </b>
What goes around really doese around.
After his bouquet was turned away and his calls went unanswered, he had no choice but <b>to </b><b>go </b><b>find </b>her in person.
The moment he arrived <b>at </b>the base of Winrich Tower<b>, </b>Jude messaged the group <b>chat</b>, <b>tagging </b>everyone to ask about their ns for the night.
It was New Year’s Eve, after all–a night that felt special, even to the most indifferent.
Then, with a flourish, he excluded Seth and Bianca: “Seth and Bianca, you two don’t have <b>to </b>answer<b>. </b><b>I </b>already know you’ll be spending tonight together!”
Bianca replied with aughing emoji, which was as good as admitting it.
Seth, of course, didn’t respond.
Dn wrote, “Busy. Have fun on your own.”
Jude pressed him for details, but Dn went silent.
Not even two minutester, Healy replied, “Busy too. Enjoy yourself.”
Jude sent a string of question marks.
So he was the only one left behind?
“Wait, is everyone paired up but me?” Jude finally asked, exasperated.
Naturally, no one answered, leaving him to stew in his own frustration.
Meanwhile, just as Healy finished replying to Jude, he spotted Dn across the lobby.
He hesitated, then decided to walk over and say hello.
“Here to see Noreen?” Healy asked.
Dn nodded. “Yeah. You?”
“Same. Just here to talk business.”
He paused, then added, “I’m here for that coboration we discussed.”
Dn said, “I invested in InnoCore. I’m here to talk work too.”
“Let’s go up together, then.”
The two of them headed upstairs to find Noreen.
Noreen was still in a meeting, so Sophia greeted them in the reception area.
Healy nced at her. “Weren’t you with the Aurelion Group? What brings you here?”
“Quit. Couldn’t stand it anymore,” Sophia replied coolly.
Healy was genuinely baffled. Who leaves a big firm for a smaller outfit like this<b>? </b>
<b>19:32 </b>
Before Noreen’s meeting wrapped up, Mina arrived too.
School was out for the holidays, so she’de by to hang out with Noreen.
But as she walked in, she immediately spotted the two men–both here to see Noreen.
One of them she recognized from a dinner party. Back then, the way he’d looked at Noreen had set off all her internal rms. She’d instantly pegged him as her brother’s rival in love.
So, with ruthless efficiency, she’d given up her seat just to keep him from sitting too close to Noreen, lest something spark between them.
Now he’de knocking at their door. Clearly, she was going to have to intervene again.
When Noreen finally emerged, the two men had been waiting a while.
“Sorry to keep you,” she apologized. “It’s been a hectic day.”
Noreen was always polite to guests, so she addressed Healy first.
Healy jumped in, “It wasn’t long at all, right, Dn?”
Dn nodded in agreement.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Healy?” Noreen asked, turning to him.
She already suspected Dn was here about the project’s progress.
Healy replied, “I’m here about the partnership. That ‘Universal Al‘ concept you mentionedst time–I’m really interested. I’d love the chance to discuss it with you in depth, Ms. Gilmore.”
Healy was clearly serious.
Noreen hadn’t iced Healy out just for personal reasons. She knew his temperament; if he wasn’t genuinely interested, a little waiting would likely make him give up.
She needed to see if he truly wanted to work together, or if he was just following Chase’s orders. If it was thetter, there was no point wasting anyone’s time.
But now, it seemed Healy was sincere about coborating with InnoCore.
So Noreen let her guard down, at least a little.
“It’s gettingte,” she said, ncing at the time. “How about we set up a meeting soon to talk through the details?”
Healy hesitated, then asked, “Do you have ns tonight, Ms. Gilmore?”
After all, it was New Year’s Eve–most couples would be out celebrating.
Dn turned to look at Noreen as well, clearly just as curious about her answer.
19:32