Bianca, by his side, was effortlessly introduced to a host of powerful figures. She was in the middle of a lively conversation when a stir at the entrance drew everyone''s attention.


    "Is that Ron Archer?" someone in the crowd murmured.


    "And look who''s with him-Noreen Gilmore from Winrich. What are they doing here together?"


    The polite smile on Bianca''s face froze. The very people who had been fawning over her moments before suddenly turned and swarmed toward the neers. In an instant, she and Seth were left almost alone.


    Bianca''s lips thinned as she stared at Noreen, who was now the center of attention, gracefully on Ron Archer''s arm as she greeted the crowd.


    Jude wandered over, his eyes also fixed on the pair. "How did they end up together?" he muttered. "Who''s the guest, and who''s the plus-one?"


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Bianca said, her voice dripping with scorn.


    "Well, yeah, Mr. Archer has to be the invited guest," Jude reasoned. "I mean, he''s the Godfather of Silicon Valley." The man''s influence was undeniable.


    So Noreen was here as Ron Archer''s date?


    "How did she even get close to him?" Jude wondered aloud.


    Bianca replied with a single, loaded question: "You''ve known her for years. Do you really need to ask?"


    Jude fell silent. The reason they had all disliked Noreen in the past was because of that one incident.


    Seth, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "I don''t recall Mr. Archer''s name being on the guest list."


    His words reminded Bianca that she had seen the list too, and he was right. Ron''s name had not been on it.


    "They probably added himter," Jude suggested. "A man like that gets an invitation wherever he goes."


    Bianca agreed. It was the only logical exnation.


    Across the room, Noreen was too busy to notice them. She was there with Ron as his guest, and since his ankle was still healing, she stayed by his side offering him her arme for support.


    "Miss Gilmore, perhaps you should find me a ce to sit," Ron said, looking a bit self-conscious. "I feel bad making you support me like this."


    "It''s no trouble at all," Noreen assured him.


    Seth decided it was time to greet Ron. After all, the injury had happened during a game with him it was only right to check in Bianca had no desire to interact with Noreen, but she resolved to go with him, for Mr. Archer''s sake. Just then, she spotted a familiar face in the crowd.


    "You go ahead, Seth," she said, releasing his arm. "I see a friend I need to say hello to."


    "Okay." Seth made his way toward Ron.


    Bianca, meanwhile, approached Henry Brooke with a warm smile. "Mr. Brooke, I''m so d you could make it."


    "Bianca—I mean, Ms. Lowell," Henry corrected himself. In a public setting, formality was more appropriate. "My father is a member of the Chamber, so I''m here representing him."


    As they chatted, Bianca kept a watchful eye on Seth, or more urately, on Noreen, wary of any ulterior motives she might have. Henry too nced over att<fnda5c> Newest update provided by fι?dnοvel</fnda5c>


    Noreen, his expression one of utter disdain.


    He leaned in to tell Bianca something.