Henry knew it wasn’t his ce to insist, so he simply said, “Well then, I’ll visit another time.”


    With a polite nod, Mrs. Joyner took her leave.


    Henry followed her with his eyes, watching as she headed straight for Noreen, her intention clear and unwavering.


    Seeing this, Henry’s smile faded bit by bit.


    “Miss Gilmore, I owe you my thanks,” Mrs. Joyner said, taking Noreen’s hand in both of hers. She didn’t bother to hide her appreciation.


    “It was nothing, really, Mrs. Joyner. Please don’t give it another thought,” Noreen replied, squeezing her hand gently. Her brow furrowed with concern. “Your hand is freezing. Are you all right?” <fne57c> Content originallyes from Find1Novel</fne57c>


    Mrs. Joyner hesitated before replying, “It’s just that time of the month. I always run cold.”


    Noreen had struggled with the same problem in the past, but after some careful treatment, things had improved.


    She feltpelled to help. “I used to get chills, too. After some herbal remedies, it got a lot better. If you’d like, I can write down the recipe for you.”


    Mrs. Joyner waved it off with a smile. “It’s an old issue-I’ve tried plenty, but nothing’s really worked. I’m used to it by now, but thank you, truly.” She was clearly delighted with Noreen.


    “My husband mentioned you to me before,” Mrs. Joyner continued. “He said you were remarkable, and I’ve been curious ever since-what kind of young woman could impress him? Now that I’ve met you, I see he was right. You’re really something special.”


    Mrs. Joyner was so taken with Noreen that she chatted with her for quite a while, holding her hand as they spoke.


    Throughout their conversation, several guests came over to greet Mrs. Joyner and offer toasts.


    Remembering Mrs. Joyner’s condition, Noreen took the initiative to shield her from the drinks. At first, Mrs. Joyner protested, but Noreen assured her she could hold her liquor-she’d had plenty of practice covering for others at events-so Mrs. Joyner needn’t worry.


    Mrs. Joyner looked at Noreen with even greater fondness.


    After several rounds of socializing, Noreen had downed more than a few drinks. She didn’t feel tipsy, but her cheeks were flushed with that telltale post-wine glow.


    Feeling sorry for her, Mrs. Joyner asked someone to escort Noreen to the lounge to rest for a while.


    Noreen took a breather in the quiet room, freshened up in the restroom, reapplied her makeup, and just as she was about to return, someone knocked at the door.


    She assumed it was Mrs. Joyner or someone sent by her, so she went to open it.


    To her surprise, it was Seth.


    He’d been drinking too-judging by the thick scent of alcohol that hit her as soon as the door swung


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    open, he’d had more than a little.


    Noreen instinctively frowned, her voice frosty. “You’ve got the wrong room.


    Seth acted like he hadn’t heard a word and walked right past her, unsteady on his feet. He found the nearest couch and flopped down, sprawling out as if he owned the ce.


    Because of his alcohol allergy, Seth rarely drank. Whenever he did, Noreen had always been the one to give him his allergy meds, after which he’d promptly fall asleep, never causing a fuss.


    Lately, she’d heard he’d been taking desensitization treatments so he could drink with clients on Bianca’s behalf. Apparently, it had worked; he could hold his alcohol now. But the habit of passing out after drinking-clearly, that hadn’t changed.


    But what right did he have to sleep in her lounge?


    Annoyed, Noreen marched over and gave his cheek a few sharp ps-not gentle ones, either. The sound echoed through the room.


    “Hey, wake up! Don’t sleep here. Go find your master to walk you,” she snapped.


    People who let their dogs off-leash had no manners at all.


    Seth must have felt the sting, because his brows knit in pain. He reached up and caught Noreen’s wrist in his burning-hot hand.


    Startled, Noreen reflexively tried to pull away, but Seth was faster, yanking her down so she tumbled right into hisp.


    His embrace was even hotter than his hand, and the sudden heat overwhelmed her.


    For a split second, she lost herposure-and in that instant, Seth cupped the back of her head, pulling her in until their lips met. His kiss was searing, his deep voice a whisper against her mouth, thick with longing.


    “I missed you so much…”


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