Only then did Noreen realize Seth was in the room with her.


    "Yes," Seth said.


    "No," Noreen said at the same time.


    Yvesughed. "Looks like you two didn''t coordinate your stories."


    Noreen didn''t know what Seth was up to and couldn''t be bothered to guess.


    "Ms. Gilmore, a toast!" Hugh Summers said cheerfully, raising his ss. "To celebrate you bing the richest woman in Rivercrest City!"


    "Your news is a bit outdated, Mr. Summers," Yves chimed in. "The list has been updated. The new number one is Mr. Harcourt''s fiancée, Director Lowell."


    Hugh hadn''t heard; the list had just changed that morning. "My apologies! I''m behind the times. But this toast is still for Ms. Gilmore."


    Noreen was about to say she had driven and couldn''t drink when a hand reached out and took the ss from in front of her. She noticed it was covered by a ckpression glove.


    "Ms. Gilmore likely drove," Seth said, his voice even. "I''ll take this for her."


    His words made Noreen pause, and she finally looked at him properly. What was he doing? Defending her from a drink? That was absurd.


    Before she could object, Seth had already downed the ss of liquor. But she felt no gratitude, only annoyance at his pointless gesture. She didn''t need anyone to run interference for her.


    "Seth, what are you doing here?"


    Bianca''s voice cut through the room before Noreen could speak. She must have seen Seth as she was passing by the open door. So they hadn''te together after all.


    "We were just talking about Director Lowell, and here she is! So, Mr. Harcourt, you came with her," Yves said, offering Bianca a seat.<fn9216> For original chapters go to ?ovelFind</fn9216>


    Bianca smiled sweetly. "No, I was here for a meeting myself. I had no idea Seth would be here too. What a coincidence." She then turned to Seth with a yful pout. "You should have told me you wereing. I would have loved to say hello to everyone."


    "I didn''t want to interrupt your business," Seth replied, the cool edge in his voice softening as he looked at her.


    Bianca leaned closer, catching the scent of alcohol. "Have you been drinking?"


    "Mr. Harcourt just took a drink for Ms. Gilmore," Yves exined.


    Bianca''s brow furrowed, and she pressed her lips together, clearly confused by his action.


    Sensing her displeasure, Seth exined, "Everyone else here is a gentleman. We can''t have the onlydy in the room drinking, can we?" His tone was devoid of any warmth as he said it, his gaze indifferent, never oncending on Noreen. He was making it clear that his gesture was purely a matter of social etiquette.


    Bianca decided her worry was misced. Everyone could see how devoted Seth was to her. She had no reason to doubt him. "That''s very chivalrous of you," she said, he "Bot


    Voiceced with t


    chivalry should be selective. You wouldn''t want to give someone the wrong impression."


    The implication hung in the air, making everyone in the room a little ufortable.


    "Everyone, I have another appointment, so I must be going," Noreen announced, eager to leave. She had only meant to say a quick hello anyway. She turned and walked out of the room.


    Behind her, she could hear Yves starting to cheer, trying to get Seth and Bianca to make a toast to their future. Seth readily agreed.


    As she walked away, the sounds from the room faded. Down the hall, she saw Henry standing at the end, his eyes fixed on the room Bianca had just entered, his face


    ask of disappointm


    saw Noreen, however, his expression hardened into a cold re.


    he


    He remembered Vincent''s refusal. It had been so swift, so absolute, as if Noreen


    was the only option.