Seth was her lifeline. She needed him to save her.


    But in that moment, he too was watching Noreen on the stage. His handsome profile was unreadable, but his attention was absolute-so absolute that he didn''t hear her.


    The sight sent a fresh wave of panic through Bianca. She grabbed his arm, her voice louder now. "Seth, I don''t feel well."


    That finally broke his trance. He turned to her, his cool gaze slowly warming with concern. "What''s wrong?"


    "I feel dizzy."<fnff90> Read full story at find{n}ovel</fnff90>


    "I''ll take you to the hospital," he said without hesitation.


    As they started to leave, Healy called out, "Leaving so soon? The summit has just begun."


    "Bianca''s not well," Seth exined. "I''m taking her to the hospital. We''ll talkter." He didn''t wait for a reply, guiding Bianca quickly out of the hall.


    From her vantage point on the stage, Noreen could see the entire room. She saw them leave, but her expression didn''t flicker. She finished her opening remarks and then invited Ron Archer to the stage. Given his injury, she personally went to escort him, offering her arm for support.


    Padgett Novak noticed the gesture. "Is Mr. Archer injured?" he asked Henry. Henry''s thoughts were with Bianca. "Is he?" he replied distractedly.


    "Didn''t you see the way he was walking?"


    At Padgett''s prompting, Henry looked more closely and saw that Ron was indeed limping.


    "So that''s why Noreen has been sticking so close to him," Padgett mused. "She''s been taking care of him, not just schmoozing."


    Henry paused. He remembered


    smelling the distinct scent of


    medicinal herbs when he had visited Ron''s hotel room So their proximity Wasn''t what he had assumed A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.


    On stage, Ron took the microphone. He began by thanking Noreen for the invitation and for her gracious- assistance, confirming Padgett''s theory. Henry''s expression grew more serious.


    Then, Ron addressed the elephant in the room. "I know there has been a great deal of spection recently about my future ns," he said.


    Indeed, it was the hottest topic in the tech world.


    "I had not intended to make an announcement so soon," he continued, "but recent attempts by certain parties to use my name for their own publicity have forced my hand."


    He didn''t name anyone, but everyone knew exactly who he was talking about. A wave of unease washed over Henry.


    "After careful consideration," Ron dered, his voice ringing through the hall, "I have decided to partner with Winrich to develop the next generation ofputing chips!"


    It was the second bombshell of the night. The first had been Noreen''s role as the summit''s organizer. Both were inextricably linked to her.


    For the first time, Henry truly looked


    at Noreen, a strange, unsettling


    feeling stirring within him. He


    feelingderstand it Why wou


    couldn''t understand.


    Ron choose Winrich over


    uld


    established giants like Ascendancy or Brooke Group?


    He soon got his answer.