Noreen was just about to ask, “Do you know me?”


    Before she could, the woman’s phone rang again. She answered in a rush, “I’ll be right there,” barely having time to give Noreen a quick apologetic gesture before hurrying off.


    Noreen took a moment to tidy herself up in the restroom. On her way back to the main hall, she unexpectedly bumped into Henry in the corridor.


    Of all the people Henry could have run into, Noreen was not the one he’d hoped for. He was clearly looking for Bianca, but luck wasn’t on his side tonight. His expression was icy, his eyes cold.


    Noreen didn’t even acknowledge him. She simply brushed past, heading for the hall as if he didn’t exist. But just as they passed each other, Henry couldn’t help himself-his voice dripped with sarcasm. “Copycat.”


    Noreen had nned to ignore him, but when someone brings the fight to your doorstep, there’s no reason to back down.


    “Did a stray dog just bark at me?” She turned, pinning Henry with a sharp, unflinching stare.


    Her words cut, and Henry looked genuinely taken aback by her bluntness.


    But he quickly recovered, his tone even colder. “Did I say anything wrong? You’ve been imitating Bianca since day one-her projects, even her style. Pathetic, really. You can mimic the surface, but you’ll never have her education or her aplishments. That’s something you’ll never be able to fake.”


    “So what are you, Bianca’s littlepdog?” Noreen retorted, finally understanding why he always seemed to have it out for her.


    She tried to recall if they’d ever really interacted before. Other than a few missed meetings when they were supposed to discuss a deal, there wasn’t much history. Yet Henry’s hostility had always been palpable. Now she understood why.


    Henry bristled at the insult, the word pdog” clearly striking a nerve. “I’m not as pathetic as you think.”


    “Pathetic?” Noreenughed, the sound light and mocking. “Funny, I never said you were. Looks like I hit the mark.”


    Herughter made Henry’s face darken. But Noreen wasn’t done. She gave him a slow once-over, her smile growing wider.


    “And what about your outfit… Why do you look so much like Seth today? Who’s the copycat now, Mr. Brooke?” <fn5a38> Read full story at Find~Novel</fn5a38>


    That onended. Henry’s face turned a shade darker. He hadn’t expected Noreen to be so sharp-tongued-she’d turned the tables on him in just a few sentences, leaving him speechless.


    Noreen found his silence disappointing. If this was all he had, he wasn’t even worth the effort. Honestly, Jude-useless as he was-was still a better adversary.


    20:27


    He’s just too young, she thought. The future of the country, sure, but not worth crushing underfoot


    She withdrew her gaze, ready to rejoin the party, when her eyes identally met Seth’s across the room. His expression was frosty as ever, but there was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.


    Did I imagine that? she wondered. Before she could be sure, Seth looked away and disappeared down the corridor.


    Noreen decided this hallway was nothing but bad luck-full of dogs, everywhere you turned,


    Back at the main event, Noreen finally noticed Castle on the stage, giving a speech. Standing beside him was the same woman she’d just encountered in the restroom.


    She paused to listen and realized the woman was, in fact, Mrs. Joyner-Castle’s wife. The two made a striking couple; Mrs. Joyner was elegant and poised, perfectly matched to Castle.


    As hosts of the evening and heads of Glenhaven City’s most influential family, the Joyners were the center of everyone’s attention.


    Mrs. Joyner had just managed to slip away from the crowd and was about to approach Noreen when someone blocked her path.


    It was Henry.


    “Mrs. Joyner, hello, I’m Henry Brooke from Brooke Group. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”


    Ever the gracious host, Mrs. Joyner greeted him politely, shaking his hand and exchanging a few pleasantries.


    But Henry clearly had more than small talk in mind. “Mrs. Joyner, would you have a moment to discuss the Centribro Technologies acquisition?”


    Mrs. Joyner immediately understood-Henry was here for business.


    She smiled politely. “I’m sorry, I don’t discuss work at social events.”


    20:27


    Chapter