"It''s been fine."


    "Well, since I''m here, let me take your pulse," Dr. Wilder said, not taking no for an answer. He gently took her wrist before she could refuse.


    As he concentrated, he nodded. "It seems you''ve been taking better care of yourself. You''re looking so much better than before—there''s so much more life in you now. But diet alone isn''t enough. Thatst illness really took a toll on you. You still need proper conditioning to fully recover."


    Noreen''s heart skipped a beat. She had almost forgotten-Dr. Wilder knew about her miscarriage. Her body tensed, and her eyes darted instinctively toward Seth. He was looking down at his phone, seemingly oblivious. Or perhaps he just didn''t care about her health. Either way, Noreen felt a wave of relief.


    Dr. Wilder, likely realizing the sensitivity of the situation, kept his words vague. "Come by my office when you have a free moment. I''ll do a proper diagnosis and prescribe something for you." He then added gravely, "And please, don''t neglect this any longer."


    "...I will," Noreen promised.


    She was about to walk Dr. Wilder to the elevator when Seth stood up. "I''ll see him out. You stay here and show Ron how to use the ster."


    Noreen exined the process to Ron. The ck ster needed to be softened with hot water before application. Since Ron''s injured foot made it difficult for him to move, Noreen insisted he stay seated while she prepared it.


    "I''m so sorry to trouble you," he said.


    "Not at all, Mr. Archer. When we''re away from home, we have to rely on our friends, don''t we?"


    Ron, who already liked Noreen, found himself even more impressed. They chatted for a bit, and when he learned that she and a man named Vincent were developing a next-generationputing chip, he grew animated.


    "Vincent is a brilliant talent, Ms. Gilmore. You have a good eye. It''s an excellent project. The future of our nation''s technological advancement depends on discerning investors like you and gifted minds like his."


    "The credit really belongs to Mr. Vincent," Noreen demurred.


    But Ron disagreed. "A prized stallion is rare, but a keen eye to recognize one is rarer still. Take InnoCore. If not for your foresight, it might never have seen the light of day, or worse, we might have fallen behindother countries. Don''t be so modest, M but


    Gilmore. Talent is c


    without someone to discover and nurture it, it remains a diamond in the rough."


    "Since we''re on the topic," Noreen began, sensing the moment was right, "I have a proposal I hope you''l consider. Her tone became serious. "I would like to formally invite you to Serve as a technical advisor for our project, Mr. Archer."


    ...<fnbdf9> Original content can be found at find(?)ovel</fnbdf9>


    Seth was gone for a while. By the time he returned, Noreen had already applied the ster to Ron''s ankle and was preparing to leave. Seth said his goodbyes to Ron as well, and they left the room together.


    Noreen was waiting for the elevator. Since he was also going down, Seth stood beside her. The doors opened to reveal maintenance workers.


    movingrge pieces of equine


    They both stepped aside to let them pass. As a heavy cab was wheeled out, it tilted, losing its bnce and threatening to topple onto them.


    "Look out!"


    Seth''s reaction was instantaneous. He grabbed Noreen''s arm, pulling her back. As she stumbled, his other arm wrapped firmly around her waist to steady her.


    She regained her footing and immediately pulled away, creating a careful distance between them.


    The lingering warmth on his fingertips made Seth''s throat tighten inexplicably.