Dn knew she was right about thepany''s underlying issues, but he was stretched too thin himself to get involved.


    That evening, Jude visited his father in the hospital and recounted the meeting with Noreen. Seymour Wilder, who had been lying listlessly in bed, bolted upright. "You''re saying Noreen agreed to invest in Seymour Group?"


    "Yes, but she''s bleeding us dry. She wants controlling shares *and* all management rights."


    “Then give them to her! What the hell are you still thinking about?" Seymour pped the side of the bed, the sudden movement sending him into a fit of coughing.


    Jude rushed to give him water and pat his back until his breathing evened out. Seymour grabbed Jude''s hand. "Let''s go."


    "Go where? It''ste."


    "To see Noreen, of course! We have to go now, before she changes her mind! Take me with you!"


    Jude nced at the dark sky outside. "It''s reallyte. She''s probably already asleep."


    "Then first thing tomorrow morning! We have to see her immediately! Do you know where she lives?"


    Jude shook his head. "How would I know?"


    "Then find out!"


    Pressured by his father, Jude had no choice but to start digging. He racked his brain, and the only person who might know Noreen''s address was Seth Harcourt.


    He called, and Seth picked up after a few rings.


    "Am I interrupting anything?" Jude asked tentatively.


    "No. What''s up?"


    "Is it... convenient for you to talk right now?" Jude asked cautiously. Since this involved Noreen, he worried Bianca might get upset if she overheard, which could strain their friendship.


    "It''s fine," Seth replied.


    Only then did Jude ask, "Do you know Noreen''s address?"


    Seth paused for a beat. "I do."


    "Can you send it to me? I need to talk to her about Seymour Group.”


    Seth hung up and sent the address a momentter.


    The next morning, Seymour and Jude were waiting outside Noreen''s apartment building. Noreen was surprised to find them there, wondering how Jude had managed to track her down.


    Seymour''s demeanor was far more sincere than his son''s. Years in the business world had taught him a finesse that Jude sorelycked. Noreen invited the father son due to a nearby café.


    Noticing Seymour''s paleplexion, she ordered him a warm ss of milk.


    Clutching the ss, Seymour earnestly began discussing the state of Seymour Group. "I ept your terms," he said. "I only have one condition of my own."


    "Go on," Noreen said.<fne656> Discover more novels at find?novel</fne656>


    Seymour nced at Jude, then sighed. "I''m not capable of teaching him what he needs to know. I hope you can mentor him. How far he goes will be up to him."


    After finalizing the deal with Noreen, Jude drove his father back to the hospital. The atmosphere in the car was heavy.


    "Don''t think of this as a loss,” Seymour said, sensing his son''s turmoil Bringing Winrich in is a good thing. Neither of us are skilled managers, which is why he


    He continued, "With Noreen at the helm, Seymour Group will have a real leader.


    Stick with her from now on, and I''ll be able to rest easy."


    "Dad, why do you trust her so much?" Jude had to ask.


    Seymour considered it for a


    moment. A while ago, when I was having my will drawn up, I heard a


    rumor from thew firm Your Uncle


    Wade has already signed his will. There''s only one heir."


    ***