<b>Chapter </b><b>327 </b>
The staff member offered an apologetic smile. “I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience.”
He gently reminded her, “The conference is about to begin. We’d appreciate your cooperation, Miss Lowell.”
Although Bianca was far from happy, she had no choice but to get up and follow their directions.
As soon as she stood, another staffer approached to pin a fresh name badge onto her jacket.
Before leaving, Bianca nced over her shoulder.
She caught sight of a staff member cing a new badge over her old one–the one with her name, “Bianca,” emzoned on it.
She squinted and caught a glimpse of the new name.
Noreen.
Bianca froze mid–step, disbelief written all over her face.
Noreen? How could it be Noreen?
Why her?
She had the urge to turn back and demand an exnation, to ask the staff again just to be sure.
But the staff member leading her called out, “This way, Miss Lowell! We’re on a tight schedule–thank you for your understanding.”
With mounting resentment, Bianca allowed herself to be ushered to the back of the room.
Her assigned seat was far from the main table–practically on the fringes, if she was honest.
Her expression soured as she watched the main table with a mix of frustration and resignation.
Just then<i>, </i>Castle arrived with his entourage. Noreen was right by his side, the two of them chatting animatedly.
To make matters worse, Bianca recognized several of the people with Noreen–big names in the gaming industry, and even some prominent investors.
Worst of all, this meant that Noreen would be sitting right next to Seth.
Noreen herself only realized this arrangement when she arrived. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. <fnb736> Checktest chapters at FιndＮovel</fnb736>
Seth noticed her the moment she <i>took </i>her seat.
He looked calm andposed, his eyes lingering on her for just two seconds before he turned away, giving Castle a polite nod.
Noreen quickly looked elsewhere, and once Castle and the others were seated, she took her own ce at the organizer’s table.
There was no further eye contact between her and Seth.
20:17
The air between them was colder than silence between strangers.
No one would have guessed that the two had once shared a seven–year rtionship.
After taking his seat, Castle chatted across Noreen and Seth, “You know, I have Mr. Harcourt to thank for introducing me to Miss Gilmore.”
“You’re too kind, Mr. Joyner,” Seth replied coolly, his gaze t, as if he barely knew Noreen at all.
He was probably worried that any connection to Noreen would make Bianca jealous.
So he went out of his way to keep his distance, making their separation ringly obvious.
If he really cared that much, he’d stick close to Bianca and make it known. That’s what real devotion
would look like.
Leaving Noreen in this awkward position just left a bitter taste in Bianca’s mouth.
Castle, oblivious to the invisible wall between Seth and Noreen, continued their earlier conversation.
He even asked her opinion on the increasedpetition and toxic rivalries in the gaming industry.
Noreen actually had her own perspective on this.
“Our country’s gaming industry isrge enough to amodate titles of all styles and genres. It’s not a zero–sum game–there’s room for everyone to grow. I believe healthypetition is vital, because that’s what drives progress.”
As she spoke, Castle leaned in, clearly engaged and listening intently.
He nodded in agreement whenever she made a good point.
It was obvious her words struck a chord with him.
“Did you hear that, Zane? You need to broaden your horizons a little,” Castle teased the man beside
him.
Zane, caught off guard, wiped nervous sweat from his brow. “Miss Gilmore, those are words to live by.”
Noreen suddenly remembered that just a while ago, two leading gamingpanies had been summoned by authorities over their cutthroat tactics.