"Last night was a mistake," Noreen said, her voice t. "You don''t need to dwell


    on it, and you certainly don''t owe me anything."


    Seth was silent for a few seconds.


    Noreen stiffly turned her head away, feigning nonchnce as she brushed a stray strand of hair from her shoulder.


    "Besides, there''s someone I love."


    Her voice was faint, but a tiny, traitorous muscle twitched beneath her eye.


    Right. She had said that once before.


    A lie spun to preserve what little dignity they both had left.


    She just never imagined Seth would remember it, let alone bring it up again all these yearster.


    For a heartbeat, Noreen''sposure faltered.


    But only for a heartbeat. Another voice in her head, cold and clear, kept her grounded.


    *The one who isn''t loved is always the third wheel.*


    Her expression smoothed over, bing cid as she answered the question he had just asked her.


    *"Back then, did you ever love Dn?"*


    "Of course," she said, her tone level and devoid of emotion.


    Seth''s heart gave a vicious, unexpected lurch.


    She casually tucked her hair behind her ear, just as she used to. "It was so long ago, Mr. Harcourt. Bringing it up now... anyone who didn''t know better might think you''re the one who can''t let go."


    Seth''s eyes narrowed, a slow burn of frustration building in his chest. "And after? In all the years that followed, did you ever..."


    "Mr. Harcourt!" Noreen cut him off sharply. "What''s the point of asking these questions now? Or are you trying to reinforce the rumor that I''m the other woman in your rtionship with Miss Lowell?"


    Seth''s throat tightened.


    Seizing the opportunity, Noreen wrenched her hand from his grasp, her face turning cold as she looked past him. "Mr. Brooke, did you hear that clearly this time? Now you know who the real third wheel is."


    Henry Brooke must have just been passing by. When he saw them locked in yet another confrontation, he''d instinctively frozen. He probably thought he was invisible.


    But Noreen had spotted him the moment he appeared.


    Her calling him out by name made the color drain from Henry''s face. As he looked up, his eyes met Noreen''s, which were as calm and still as water


    sharp, needle like pain


    pricked his heart, aplex mix of


    emotions swirling within him.


    Under Noreen''s direct and unwavering gaze, Henry stiffly averted his eyes and turned to walk away.<fnd1d4> Newest update provided by Find_Novel(.</fnd1d4>


    "You really said that to him?"


    When Noreen nodded, ire Chase burst into a fit ofughter.


    "Well yed, Noreen! That''s one point for our team!"


    "I just don''t want to have anything to do with him anymore," Noreen said coolly. "Drawing a hard line is better for everyone."


    ire nudged her with her shoulder, teasing, "Same old you. Too proud for your own good."


    "You think that''s proud? I haven''t even gotten to the nuclear option yet." Noreen smoothed her slightly tousled hair.


    ire''s curiosity was piqued. "What''s the nuclear option?"


    "I never once enjoyed being with you. It was all an act."


    ire was speechless for a moment, then just gave her a thumbs-up.


    Dn called, asking if she wasing back to the auditorium. Noreen told him she wasn''t. She''d rather leave the stage for Bianca Lowell''s victoryp.


    "Where are you? I''lle find you."


    They hadn''t seen each other in a long time, so Noreen figured it was a good chance to update him on the project''s progress. She told him to meet her at the main gate.


    She and ire had been waiting for about five minutes when Provost Ferris emerged with a group of people. Professor William was on his left, while Seth and Bianca were on his right.


    Provost Ferris spotted Noreen first and immediately waved. "Ms. Gilmore! Mr. Wilder mentioned you had to leave early."


    Noreen offered a polite smile. "Yes, something came up. I''m sorry I didn''t get a chance to say goodbye properly."


    "It was so hectic earlier, I didn''t get a chance to introduce you properly This is Professor William from WT Business School. I seem to recall you received an offer from them as well, didnt you?"


    At his words, a ripple of surprise went through the group.


    The most stunned, by far, was Bianca.