"What is it?" Noreen paused to ask.


    Sophia looked up, indignant. "The wealth rankings were updated this morning. There''s a new name at the top of the ''Richest Women'' list!"


    Noreen tapped Sophia''s desk with two fingers. "cking off again? I told you, it''s an unofficial list. Don''t pay any attention to it."


    "I was trying not to, but the person at number one is just so infuriating!"


    "It''s Bianca, isn''t it?"


    Sophia froze. "How did you know?" She hadn''t even dared to say the name.


    But Noreen seemedpletely unfazed. "They must have finalized the share transfer quickly," she mused. "Guess his injury wasn''t that serious after all." Even with a burned hand, he didn''t waste any time signing over Ascendancy Group. His devotion was truly something else.<fn3a8e> Readplete version only at find?novel</fn3a8e>


    Before leaving, Noreen tapped Sophia on the head. "Get back to work. I''m heading out and won''t be back today."


    "Are you going drinking? If so, take me with you."


    "No drinking."


    "Good. By the way, your period is due in a couple of days, so be careful. No cold food or drinks. I put some pads in the side pocket of your bag."


    "Got it."


    Noreen always made a habit of arriving early for appointments, so when she got to the private room at the restaurant, no one else was there. She ordered some tea and waited patiently.


    A few momentster, the Japanese-style sliding door opened. Expecting Vincent, Noreen looked up with a smile, only to see Henry Brooke.


    When Henry saw her, a flicker of disgust crossed his handsome features. He took a step back, checking the namete on the door to confirm he was in the right ce. Seeing that he was, be looked back at Noreen, his expression colder than before.


    From his reaction, Noreen had a good idea of who he was. Out of politeness, she stood and greeted him. "Mr. Vincent said he''s running a littlete. Please,e in, Mr. Brooke."


    Henry gave her a brief, dismissive nce, but her polite tone seemed to cate him enough to enter and take a seat.


    His first words were blunt. "Are you the partner Mr. Vincent was talking about?"


    Noreen disliked his tone, but considering he was Vincent''s contact, she felt she had to give him some face. She nodded. "Yes. Mr. Vincent and I have already discussed the details and are now-"


    Henry cut her off. "I had no idea the partner he wanted to introduce was you, I had known. I would not have corne today. His words were dripping with disdain, making no effort to hide his prejudice against her.


    Noreen fell silent, simply watching him with a cid expression, as if he were putting on a show.


    Her gaze seemed to irritate him. He was about to say something more when his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his aggressive demeanor melted away He covered the receiver with ishand his voice gentle. “Bianca? Are you here?” Cóntent


    "I''lle out to meet you," he said, getting up and leaving the room.


    Noreen couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. He had invited Bianca too? Did he not know that Vincent had left Ascendancy Group precisely because of a conflict with her?


    This was getting interesting.


    Just as Henry left, Vincent arrived. "Ms. Gilmore, my apologies for the wait," he said, exining that he had been stuck in traffic. "Have you met Mr. Brooke? He should have been here by now."


    "I have."


    It was clear Henry hadn''t mentioned Bianca to Vincent yet; otherwise, he wouldn''t


    be so calm. Just as Noreen was about to speak, Henry returned with Bianca.


    "Mr. Vincent,” Henry said, gesturing to Bianca. "Bianca, this is the Mr. Vincent I was telling you about."