She had already prepared for the worst. "It was my oversight. An unexpected incident kept me in Glenhaven City for a few extra days, so I didn''t have enough time to finalize all the preparations."


    "You''ve done an excellent job," Padgett said, and he meant it. "Don''t worry too much. For minor issues, they''ll give you a chance to make corrections."


    "Thank you."


    "You should get some rest. You really don''t look well," he added before he left.


    After he was gone, Sophia asked curiously, "Do you think Director Novak likes you? I think he does. He looks at you like you''re the only person in the room." Noreen, already buried in a stack of documents, replied dryly, "He''s not a superhero. Why would his eyes be glowing?"


    "I see it now," Sophia sighed. "You''repletely clueless when ites to romance."


    ...


    The afternoon sun emerged, beating down with the notorious ferocity of Rivercrest City. Under the blistering heat, Noreen began to feel her energy wane. Still recovering from a moderate concussion and pushing through a high-stress workday, her body was reaching its limit. A wave of intense dizziness washed over her, followed by a terrifying sensation of weightlessness. Her consciousness flickered.


    When she came to, she was in Forrest Lowell''s arms.


    "Ms. Gilmore, are you alright?" he asked, his face etched with worry. A small crowd had gathered around them.


    "It''s a good thing Director Lowell was so quick," someone murmured. "He caught her just in time."


    "Yes, a fall from this height would have been disastrous."


    "As long as she''s okay," Forrest said, helping Noreen to her feet. He turned to his assistant. "Get the car ready. We need to take Ms. Gilmore to the hospital."


    After the doctor finished his examination, Noreen''s head was still spinning. She tried to sit up to thank Forrest, but he gently stopped her. "You''re not well. You need to rest. Your health is what''s important." He paused for a moment before adding, "And don''t worry about the inspection. The issues are minor."


    "Thank you, Director Lowell," Noreen said, a wave of relief washing over her.


    Forrest didn''t stay long; it wouldn''t have been appropriate. He bid her farewell, urging her once more to rest, and then left.


    Sophia looked puzzled. "You know, Director Lowell seems like a nice guy. He was really concerned about you."


    "He''s Bianca''s father."


    Sophia fell silent, wishing she could take her words back.<fn087c> This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel</fn087c>


    The moment Forrest left Noreen''s room, his phone rang. It was Yvonne. "What are you doing?" she asked.


    "Working."


    "Work,


    all


    to work, that''s all you ever


    do! Don''t you know what''s happened to Bianca? You haven''t evene to see her wonneined.  s?novels


    "I''lle as soon as I''m finished here," Forrest said, his tone t.


    "Well, at least call and check on her."


    "Fine."


    Yvonne hung up and looked at Bianca, who was huddled under the covers, and sighed. "Your father is


    bus with work. He can''te right now." .


    Bianca didn''t respond, lying perfectly still in the unnervingly quiet room.


    After a while, Yvonne asked, "When is Sething?"


    "He''s been away for so many days, there''s a mountain of work waiting for him at the office. He has to workte tonight to catch up, ncas muffled voice came from under the nkets.


    "Did he say anything else?" Yvonne probed.


    "No."


    Another long pause filled the room. When Yvonne spoke again, her voice was


    much softer, almost hesitant.


    "Did they... you know... do anything to you?"


    ***