This was the man, she fumed silently, who had cost her a brilliant protégée. Such a remarkable mind-if Noreen had just pushed herself, she could have been a giant in the academic world by now. She wouldn''t have to be here, humbling herself towork with others. She would have *been* thework.


    But instead, the man who had convinced her to abandon that promising future had not only broken her heart but had the audacity to get engaged to another woman, unting it for all to see. He had wasted her youth and her talent.


    Noreen felt a pang of guilt. She epted Halley''s silent admonishment with a rare, submissive bow of her head.


    This entire exchange did not go unnoticed by Bianca, who was somewhat surprised. It seemed the esteemed Academician Joyner openly disliked Noreen- in fact, ''despised'' might be a better word. It made sense, she mused. Why would someone like Halley Joyner respect a woman with no background and an empty head?


    Buoyed by this thought, Bianca strode confidently toward them.


    "Mr. Archer, hello. I''m Bianca Lowell, the executive director of Ascendancy Group. It''s a pleasure to meet you."


    Ron paused, polishing his golf club. "Ascendancy Group?"


    "That''s right," Bianca said, her voice brimming with self-assurance. Ascendancy Group was a leader in its field; there was no way Ron hadn''t heard of it.


    But after her introduction, Ron''s expression grew cooler. He gave a curt "Hmm" and returned his full attention to his club. His chilly dismissal left Bianca fumbling, unsure how to continue the conversation.


    Noreen used the opening to introduce herself. "Mr. Archer, hello. I''m Noreen Gilmore from Winrich Capital. It''s a pleasure to meet you."


    "Winrich?" Ron''s interest was immediately piqued. He had clearly done his research on the Rivercrest City businessndscape. "The investment firm that incubated InnoCore?"


    "Yes, that''s us."


    Ron''s face broke into a warm,


    enthusiastic smile. "Ms. Gilmore, you have a brilliant eye! InnoCore''s growth has been explosive! I''ve been traveling for conferencestely and veryone is asking<fna266> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FιndＮovel</fna266>


    it''s thepany


    about. You have no idea how much influence it''s already having on the international stage!"


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Archer."


    "Nonsense, youngdy, don''t be so modest! To have achieved so much in your twenties... if I were you, I''d be shouting it from the rooftops!" Ron let out a heartyugh, his open and genuine nature on full disy.


    His drastically different reactions to her and Noreen left Bianca feeling slighted. She quickly masked her displeasure and turned her attention to Halley Academician Joyner it''s an honor. I''ve admired your work for so long, and I''m so happy to finally meet you in person."


    Halley offered a polite but distant nod.


    Bianca assumed her coolness stemmed from not knowing her credentials. So, she borated, "When I waspleting my doctorate at WT Business School, my advisor, Professor William, often discussed your papers with me. I was particrly struck by your research on the synergistic pathways between advanced mathematics education and talent cultivation. I didn''t fully grasp it at first, but Professor William walked me through it."


    "WT Business School?" Halley asked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.


    Bianca''s confidence swelled. A self-satisfied smile touched her lips. "Yes, that''s my alma mater."


    "That''s quite impressive," Halley remarked objectively.


    After saying this, she shot a long, meaningful look at Noreen.


    If she remembered correctly, Noreen had received an offer from that very same business school years ago.