"A strong mushroom," the little girl said.


    "What about me?" Noreen asked.


    The girl blinked her wide eyes. "A pretty mushroom."


    "Why are you a strong mushroom?" Noreen pressed gently.


    The girl''s lower lip trembled. "So no one will dare bully me."


    A pang of sympathy went through Noreen''s heart. She reached out and lightly touched the corner of the girl''s sleeve, careful not to startle her. The girl flinched but didn''t pull away.


    Noreen didn''t push further. "Can I be an even stronger mushroom?" she asked. "Then I can protect you."


    The little girl stared at her for a long moment before nodding. "Okay. You can be a stronger, pretty mushroom."


    When Mrs. Joyner came looking for them, she found the little girl fast asleep on Noreen''s bed. She was astonished. "How did you do that?" she asked Noreen. It had taken her nearly a year to earn the girl''s trust.


    After Noreen exined what had happened, Mrs. Joyner marveled, "You certainly have a way with her." Then her tone turned serious. "Didn''t the doctor tell you to rest? You need to listen."


    Noreen immediately looked chastened.


    Sophia teased her. "It looks like only Mrs. Joyner can get through to you. You ignore everything I say, but one word from her and you''re perfectly behaved. You shoulde visit more often!"


    Noreen rolled her eyes.


    After Mrs. Joyner and the little girl left, Sophia eagerly leaned in, ready to share some gossip. "Noreen, I have some major news!"


    Noreen wasn''t particrly interested. "What kind of ''major news'' could you possibly have?"


    "Trust me! This is huge!" Sophia began, practically bursting. "You know how Mr. Harcourt and Director Lowell went to that private ind for their engagement ceremony? Well, guess what happened?"


    Noreen shot her a look that could cut ss.


    Sophia cleared her throat and got to the point. "On the night of the ceremony, Director Lowell was kidnapped!"


    Noreen, who had been uninterested, now felt a flicker of curiosity. "Kidnapped?" What a coincidence. "And then what? Did Seth spend his entire fortune to rescue her?" That seemed to be how the story usually went.


    SWI


    Sophia shook her head. "No, but..." She trailed off, suddenly reluctant to continue.


    "But what?"


    Sophia pouted. "I heard Mr. Harcourt went to rescue her himself, without any regard for his own safety. He was even injured... a gunshot wound."


    *Fair enough,* Noreen thought. That plotline made sense. It certainly fit his deep, unwavering devotion. She let out a small, cynicalugh and didn''t ask any more questions.


    ...


    After another three days in the hospital, Noreen had fully recovered. On the day of her discharge, Castle came to pick her up. She finally had the chance to ask him about the man who had saved her.


    "Yes, one of my men was injured," Castle confirmed. "But he''s mostly recovered, and we''vepensated him generously. You don''t need to worry."<fn83a0> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on FindN0vel</fn83a0>


    “I''d like to thank him in person,” she insisted. He had risked his life for her; it was a debt she couldn''t ignore.


    "That might be difficult. He went back to his hometown yesterday. But don''t feel too burdened by it. It''s part of his job."


    Noreen felt a pang of disappointment. But since she


    would be traveling to Glenhaven City frequently, she figured she would have another change to thank him eventually, so she didn''t press the matter.


    Castle personally escorted Noreen and her team to the airport. By the time their flightnded in Rivercrest City, it waste at night, and the airport was quiet. As Noreen''s group hurried toward the exit, another group emerged from the VIP


    channel, moving just as quickly.


    "I think that''s Mr. Harcourt," Sophia whispered.


    ***