Noreen called ire. "I''m going to bete tonight. If you get hungry, go ahead and eat without me."


    "Is it work or a client dinner?" ire asked.


    "Neither," Noreen replied, her voiceced with exhaustion. "I have to go babysit jerk Seth, the hopeless romantic."


    She exined the situation, and ire was equally exasperated. "He''s really determined, isn''t he? Insisting on the engagement at a time like this... Has he even looked at hispanies'' stock prices? Any sane person would know toy low, or at least postpone the date."


    Noreen was past the point of being surprised. "He''s so desperate to show the world he''s marrying the love of his life that he can''t see anything else." Thanks to Bianca, she was finally seeing a side of Seth that was anything but the cold, rational man she had once known.


    When Noreen arrived at the Harcourt estate, Evelyn was cleaning up the living room, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked at Noreen, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.


    "How is Mr. Harcourt?" Noreen asked, her main concern being Wade. As for Seth, he could self-destruct for all she cared.<fna0a9> This update is avable on FindN0vel</fna0a9>


    "He''s locked himself in his room and won''t talk to anyone," Evelyn said, her face etched with worry. "Please, go talk to him. I''m afraid he''ll make himself sick."


    Noreen frowned and headed toward Wade''s room. On the way, she passed the study, which was inplete disarray. Seth was kneeling on the floor, picking up the pieces of something that had shattered. He must have heard her footsteps because he nced up, his eyes meeting hers. His gaze was icy, devoid of any emotion. After half a second, he looked away and continued cleaning up the


    mess.


    Noreen didn''t break her stride, walking past the study and straight to Wade''s bedroom. She knocked softly.


    After a few moments, Wade opened the door. "What are you doing here sote?"


    "Are you alright?" Noreen asked, studying him with concern. Aside from his stern expression, he seemed physically unharmed.


    "I''m fine," he said, his voice hoarse and weary.


    "That''s good to hear."


    This was their family''s conflict, and it wasn''t her ce to interfere. Now that she knew Wade was okay, Noreen decided to leave.


    As she passed the study again, Seth was just stepping out. There was a gash on his hand, and blood was dripping onto the floor. When he saw Noreen, be paused and stepped back, gesturing for her to go first.


    Noreen''s eyes were fixed on the blood trickling down the back of his hand and onto the carpet. Her brow furrowed. Your devotion really deserves an award," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Seth met her cold gaze but didn''t rise to the bait. Instead, he moved his lips slowly. "How''s my father?"


    "A littlete to be asking, don''t you think?"


    A humorless smile touched his lips. "The fact that you''re not yelling at me means he must be fine."


    He brushed past her and went to the living room to find the first-aid kit. Noreen stared at the bloodstains on the carpet, momentarily lost in thought.


    When she emerged, Evelyn was tending to Seth''s hand, muttering anxiously. "How did you cut it so deep? It won''t stop bleeding! We need to go to the hospital


    "It''s fine. Just wrap it up," Seth said dismissively.


    Evelyn''s eyes welled up with tears again. “No, it''s not fine! You need stitches."


    She looked at Noreen, her eyes pleading for help.


    Noreen wanted to say, *Let him be. He brought this on himself.*