They were all carrying takeout bags from Luna Eclipse Dining.


    The executive assistant quickly exined, "Director Lowell, Mr. Harcourt knew you''d been too busy to eat, so he ordered lunch for you."


    Of course this was the kind of treatment only the future Mrs. Harcourt would get.<fn0f09> Latest content published on find?novel</fn0f09>


    Bianca sounded exasperated, though her pride was obvious. "Oh, Seth, honestly. I''m not a child—does he really have to fuss over every little thing? Now everyone''s going to think I''m spoiled."


    The deputy director grinned, not bothering to hide her envy. "We''re just jealous, that''s all. Anyone would envy the rtionship you two have."


    Bianca, in a good mood, gestured at the spread. "Seth ordered way too much. There''s no way I can finish it alone. If you don''t mind, why don''t we all share?"


    She even extended the invitation to Noreen and Carman.


    Before Noreen could answer, Sophia jumped in for her. "No need! Our Ms. Gilmore gets homemade meals you couldn''t buy for any amount of money. Who wants mass-produced takeout anyway?"


    She took Noreen''s hand. "Come on, I brought lunch for you. Let''s eat in the car."


    "Sure," Noreen agreed.


    As soon as Noreen left, Henry breathed a sigh of relief.


    When Bianca invited him to join, he didn''t refuse.


    During lunch, Henry asked, "Bianca, do you know Professor Halley?"


    "Of course," Bianca replied immediately. "He''s practically a legend in academia. Anyone who''s ever set foot in the field knows his name."


    Henry''s mind went straight to Noreen, and he smiled. "You''re right."


    So his hunch had been correct-Bianca really was the former student his mentor never stopped talking about.


    Meanwhile, in the car, Noreen stared at the array of dishes and couldn''t help but ask, eyebrows raised, "You made all this yourself?"


    "Yep! Impressed?" Sophia said, clearly fishing for praise.


    "Very," Noreen admitted.


    Even Carman agreed, "With skills like yours, you could open a restaurant."


    Sophia waved her off. "Not interested! I''d rather stick with Noreen and ride her coattails to the top!"


    She nudged Noreen. "Hurry up and eat before it gets cold."


    Sophia started scrolling on her phone as they ate.


    Halfway through the meal, Sophia suddenly sat up in rm.


    Noreen sighed, "What now?"


    Sophia


    ned her phone toward her "Isn''t this the game project Bianca''s leading content belongs


    Noreen nced at the screen and nodded. "That''s the one."


    "They work fast-it''s already in beta testing."


    Carman checked her own phone. "Looks like the early feedback is pretty positive."


    "The promo trailer looks amazing," Sophia added after watching it.


    Noreen just smiled, rxed as ever.


    Sophia, on the other hand, was getting antsy. "How are you so calm, Noreen?"


    Noreen grinned. "What, should I crying instead? By the way, yo mushroom soup is really good." Gontent


    Sophia was speechless.


    She really wasn''t worried at all.


    After finishing lunch, Noreen sent Scott Quigley a message, asking where he was.


    He didn''t reply for half an hour; when


    he did, said he was up in the


    mon with lousy r had just seen her


    >


    and


    He sent her a bunch of photos he''d just taken—ruins and old relics and the like.


    He also asked if she needed anything.


    Noreen replied, "No, just checking you''re safe. All good now, focus on your work." Scott sent back a thumbs-up.


    Just then, the car arrived back at Winrich.


    As soon as Noreen got out, she spotted a man waiting by the main gate.


    Her eyes lit up, and she called out with a bright smile, "Hey, big brother."