Noreen blinked. “Excuse me?<b>” </b>


    For a split second, she seriously considered throwing everything in her hands right at his face. This was the so–called “important matter” he’d dragged her here for? Was he out of his mind<b>? </b>Before Noreen’s irritation could fully ignite, Seth spoke again. “My father doesn’t approve of the engagement. He won’te to the party, and I can’t force him. His health is already fragile–you know that. Evelyn told me he’s barely eating, and he’s been really downtely. So I was wondering…”


    “You want me to talk Mr. Harcourt into attending your engagement party?” Noreen’s look said she thought he needed a psych evaluation.


    Seth hesitated. “No. I was hoping you could spend some more time with him. He won’t listen to anyone these days–except you and Evelyn.”


    “You don’t have to tell me,” she replied tly. “I already promised Evelyn I’d check in on him.”


    “And…” Seth’s eyes flickered cold and distant as he looked up, his gaze unfocused. “My father might do something reckless. On the day of the engagement–could you stay with him? Just in case?” Noreen raised an eyebrow. “You know your fiancée already sent me an invitation, right?”


    “Don’t bother with that,” he said quietly.


    Of course. Bianca had been looking forward to this engagement for ages; thest thing she’d want was anyone turning it into a sideshow. Sending Noreen an invitation was just her way of unting her victory.


    Noreen had never nned on going anyway. Waste of her time–and her chance to make some


    money.


    Seth was being awfully considerate of Bianca’s feelings, Noreen thought with a twinge of annoyance.


    “Anything else? Go on, just get it all out,” she said, ncing at her watch as if every extra second with him was a personal affront.


    Seth lowered hisshes. His voice was unreadable. “I’m counting on you to look after my dad.”


    Noreen frowned. Why did this sound like he was putting his father in her care for good? He was just getting engaged, not about to drop dead.


    She couldn’t understand it. Not one bit. <fnb180> Find the newest release on find[?]ovel</fnb180>


    “You’re really outsourcing your filial duties at a time like this? He’s your father, Seth. No matter what I do, I can’t take your ce.” She felt her patience draining. What a waste of time.


    “And if your dad’s really that against it, why insist on going through with the engagement now? Are you that desperate to marry Bianca?” There was no reasoning with a man blinded by love.


    “Whatever. Do what you want,” Noreen muttered, already turning to leave.


    This time, Seth didn’t try to stop her. He just stood there, silent, watching her walk away. Something turbulent and unspoken twisted in his chest as his eyes darkened.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>08:43 </b>1


    When Noreen got home, she’d barely set her keys down before Evelyn texted to ask if she’d gotten back safely. There was a list of reminders, too: put the fruit in the fridge, freeze the dumplings.


    Noreen followed the instructions one by one.


    As she sipped her herbal broth, a thought crossed her mind. She messaged Evelyn, “By the way, why is Seth drinking this stuff too? Is he sick?”


    “Oh, he caught a nasty cold a while back,” Evelyn replied. “It drained him, and he’s been coughing ever since. Nothing from the doctor helped, so now he’s on this herbal remedy.”


    Noreen vaguely remembered hearing that Seth had been ill, but she hadn’t realized it had dragged on so long.


    Even now, with his own health frail, all he could think about was getting engaged to his precious


    Bianca.


    True love really did conquer all, she thought with a wry smile.


    She no longer suspected Seth was possessed or anything supernatural. At this point, she was more inclined to believe Bianca had some kind of love potion–or maybe a built–in “irresistible charm” device.


    Otherwise, how else could you exin Seth risking everything–his ailing father’s wishes, his family, his career–just to chase after love?


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