Even after Noreen had disappeared from sight, Jude was still trying to process what had happened. She just left? Without a single backward nce? This was not how the script in his head was supposed to y out.


    "Come on," Seth said, holding the elevator door.


    Jude jogged to catch up. Inside, his curiosity got the better of him. "Seth, howe you didn''t go with Bianca to Westbrook for the *Aetheria*unch?"


    "She needs to learn to stand on her own two feet," Seth replied, his expression neutral.


    "Whoa, Seth, you''re seriously boyfriend goals!" Jude eximed, looking like he''d just witnessed a rom moment. He sighed dramatically. "You guys have the kind of love that leads to marriage."


    Seth seemed to have a different topic on his mind. "What has Dn been busy withtely?"


    "No clue. I never see him anymore. Every time I ask him to hang out, he says he''s busy. Who knows with him." Jude had beenining about this for a while. He added, "Healy''s the same way. Never around."


    "Let''s get everyone together tonight," Seth said suddenly. "For drinks."


    This was Jude''s favorite kind of n. "Deal," he said instantly. “Actually, why wait until tonight? Let''s do it this afternoon! Bianca''s press conference is around four, right? We can have a watch party and celebrate for her from here!"


    "Whatever you want," Seth said, indifferent.


    Jude got right on it, sending out texts and making it clear that attendance was mandatory. If anyone bailed, he''d hunt them down.


    After visiting Vincent, Noreen went straight back to the office. She had a meeting in the morning, followed by a video call with Scott Quigley in the afternoon to discuss their project''s progress.


    Scott told her he was in Westbrook, having just returned from a small rural vige where he had found a lot of inspiration.


    "That''s great to hear," Noreen said.


    Scott hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more but was holding back.


    "Is something wrong?" Noreen prompted.


    "I ran into Ethan Laurent in Westbrook," Scott finally admitted.


    "I know. *Aetheria* has its officialunch and offline event there today."


    "Yes. It''s a massive event."


    Noreen was aware. Seth had always been willing to spare no expense on Bianca''s projects.


    "Are you having second thoughts?" she asked gently. Aurelion Group was a powerful backer, after all.


    Scott immediately shook his head, "No, that''s not it. What I wanted to say is that there are major problems with Aetheria''ster-stage plot Serious problems."  fo


    "To be honest, I''ve been following its development," he continued, a note of sadness in his voice. A part of me wanted it to seed. was my baby too, you know?"


    "But now... I''m afraid it''s going to run into serious trouble."


    As Noreen had said, however, dragging out the inevitable wouldn''t change the


    oue. He had made his choice, and he wouldn''t look back.


    "Let''s just focus on our own work."


    Before ending the call, Noreen told Scott that he could start putting together his own studio as soon as he returned to Rivercrest City. The news instantly lifted Scott''s spirits st was dinnertime, so he invited his assistant out for a celebratory meal.


    They had just started eating when Ethan called. Scott knew exactly why he was calling and ignored it. A text from Ethan came through momentster, oozing with smugness.


    **Did you see, Scott? I did it!*"


    "*Are you too scared to even answer my calls now?*"


    "*For old times'' sake, I''ll give you onest chance. Come back to TechVenture<fnb057> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? fι?dnοvel</fnb057>


    and work for me. You know I''ve always admired your talent.*"