The next morning, with all her test results cleared, Noreen was discharged. She hadn''t told anyone, hoping to avoid the fuss of having a crowde to pick her up. She packed her things and went downstairs, nning to grab a taxi straight to the office.


    At the entrance, Seth was waiting for someone. An awkward encounter was unavoidable.


    His gaze fell on Noreen, but she walked past him without a flicker of acknowledgment, her eyes fixed straight ahead.


    "Seth, have you been waiting long?"


    Bianca and Yvonne emerged from the hospital just then. At the sound of her voice, Seth looked away from Noreen and went to take the luggage from Yvonne. "Not long. The car''s over there. Can you walk that far?"


    "Of course."


    Bianca was in a good mood as she and her mother followed Seth to the car. While Seth loaded their bags into the trunk, Yvonne noticed Noreen standing alone by the curb. She nudged Bianca, gesturing with her chin.


    Bianca nced over, her expression cool and detached. Seeing Noreen all by herself, with no one to pick her up, a barely perceptible smirk touched her lips. Yvonne chuckled softly beside her and whispered, "How pitiful."


    Bianca silently agreed. After seeing how attentive Dn was yesterday, she had thought he was serious about Noreen. But he couldn''t even be bothered to pick her up from the hospital. So much for that. In the end, Dn''s heart belonged to someone else; Noreen was just a temporary diversion, nothing more.<fncad5> Checktest chapters at findnovel</fncad5>


    Just as she was about to look away, a Rolls-Royce glided to a stop directly in front of Noreen. Bianca froze, confused. The rear door opened, and a cane emerged first, followed by Wade Harcourt.


    The expressions on both Bianca''s and Yvonne''s faces changed dramatically.


    Noreen was just as surprised. "Mr. Harcourt, what are you doing here?" "Evelyn told me you were being discharged today, so I came to get you."


    The driver got out, walked over to Noreen, took her bag, and ced it in the trunk. Yesterday, while visiting, Evelyn had asked when she would be released. Noreen had said it would likely be today, but she never imagined Wade himself woulde.


    "This is too much trouble," Noreen said, helping him back into the car.


    "How''s your recovery?" Wade asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.


    "Much better. The doctor wouldn''t have let me go otherwise."


    Wade nodded, satisfied. "That''s good. You must take care of your health. Nothing is more important."


    Bianca and her mother watched in stony silence as Wade''s car pulled away with Noreen inside. As the vehicle disappeared from view, Bianca''s eyes grew cold.


    On the way home, Yvonne tried to subtly question Seth, who was in the passenger seat. "Seth, now that you and Bianca are engaged, don''t you think it''s time for our families to meet and discuss the wedding?"


    "My father hasn''t been well for thest six months and is resting. A wedding is soplicated, and I don''t want to bother him. I can make all the decisions."


    Yvonne frowned, about to argue that marriage was a major life event that parents should be involved in, but Seth added, "I have no preferences. We''ll do whatever Bianca wants."


    His words instantly smoothed over Yvonne''s displeasure. Bianca, who had been sulking, also brightened.


    "Mom, we just got engaged and you''re already pushing for a wedding," Bianca said with a yful pout. "You''ll make me sound desperate to get married!"


    Yvonne quickly caught on. "You''re right, it''s me who''s being impatient. My Bianca is so wonderful, with so many men pursuing her. The word ''desperate'' could never apply to you."


    ***