"This morning, I went to the hotel to see Mr. Archer," he began. "As I was waiting, I saw Noreen go up to his room with a number of gift boxes." He paused, then added, "The two of them didn''t leave the hotel together until this afternoon."


    A knowing, triumphant smile touched Bianca''s lips. It was just as she''d suspected. Noreen was constantly finding new ways to lower the bar. To secure a ticket to this summit, she had literally offered herself up.


    Henry found it just as ironic. In the space of two days, he had seen Noreen leaving a hotel with two different men, one of them old enough to be her father. It was utterly shameless. His contempt for her grew, while his admiration for Bianca —a woman who built her career on her own merit-deepened.


    Sensing that Seth was about to return, Henry made a polite excuse to leave, not wanting to intrude on their time together. Bianca noticed that throughout Seth''s brief conversation with Ron, he had not once interacted with Noreen. He hadn''t even looked in her direction. He had ignored herpletely.


    The realization filled her with a profound sense of joy. When Seth rejoined her, she once again took his arm. "When will your father be arriving?"<fn8ea1> Chapters first released on find[?]ovel</fn8ea1>


    "Let me check." True to his word, Seth immediately tried to call Wade, but the call went unanswered.


    "I heard Mr. Harcourt is scheduled to give a speechter," Bianca said smoothly. "There''s no rush. We can greet him after he''s finished." The timing would be perfect. With all eyes on Wade, her appearance by his side would put to rest any rumors that he disapproved of her.


    "Alright," Seth agreed, and then continued to guide her through the crowd, making introductions.


    Henry watched them from a distance, an indescribable sadness in his heart. Seth was undeniably devoted to Bianca, more so than he could ever be. He had heard the rumors about her recent professional failures and had worried for her. He knew that if he were in Seth''s position, he wouldn''t be nearly as supportive. All he could do now was not interfere with her happiness.


    Forcing his gaze away, Henry took a deep breath and made his way toward Ron Archer. He had to try onest time. If Ron had publicly rejected Ascendancy Group, that meant the door was open for others. He wouldn''t let the opportunity pass. He would have to tolerate the presence of Noreen, but for the sake of a potential deal, he would endure it.


    When he approached, however, he pointedly ignored Noreen, addressing only Ron. "Mr. Archer, good to see you again."


    "Mr. Brooke," Ron acknowledged him with a polite nod.


    "Do you have a moment to talk?" Henry asked, hoping for a private conversation.


    Noreen understood his intention. "Shall I help you to a seat over there so you two can speak?" she offered.


    But Ron shook his head. "That won''t be necessary. Mr. Brooke, I know what you wish to discuss, so I will be frank with you have already made, my decision.


    Henry''s heart sank. "May I ask who you''ve chosen?"


    "I will be making a formal announcement shortly."


    "If I may," Henry pressed, a note of


    desperation in his voice, "I would et


    Urge reconsider: Brooke Group is prepared to make you an extremely generous offer."


    "I will keep that in mind," Ron said.


    Henry had been in the business world long enough to recognize a polite dismissal. In Ron''s eyes, Brooke Group was already out of the running. He felt a sharp pang of disappointment, but his curiosity was piqued. Who had Ron chosen?