After Noreen had exposed the ''truth'', he had spent a long time trying to process it. But deep down, his loyalty stilly with Bianca.


    A long time passed before Bianca finally replied.


    "No."


    "She and Seth did have an ambiguous rtionship, but that''s because she used some rather dirty tactics to get into his bed. Very few people know the truth, only those closest to Seth."


    "As you know, Seth is the heir to the Harcourt Group. He''s the highest level of society Noreen could ever hope to reach. That''s why she clung to him for seven years. During that entire time, Seth never once publicly acknowledged her. It was always a one-sided obsession on her part."


    So that was it.


    Henry read and reread the message, a long sigh of relief escaping him. It seemed he had misunderstood his senior after all.


    Noreen met with Padgett the next day to discuss the Centribo acquisition. She made her request clear: she hoped to streamline the process andplete the deal in the shortest time possible. Padgett promised he would help expedite it.


    By the time they finished, it was lunchtime. Noreen took the opportunity to invite Padgett to eat with her. He epted, and after a quick word with Landon, they left together.


    On their way out, they ran into Hugh Summers, the CEO of NaviTech, who was on his way to a lunch meeting. He had also been at the government building on business. Seeing Noreen, he greeted her with a warm smile. "Ms. Gilmore, long time no see. Here on business?"


    "Yes."


    Since they had run into each other, Noreen extended an invitation. "Director Novak and I are just heading to lunch. Would you like to join us, Mr. Summers?"


    Hugh waved his hands dismissively. "Oh no, I can''t. I have a lunch engagement. Mr. Harcourt and Ms. Lowell are hosting, to discuss the high-temperature superconductivity project." He paused, a flicker of confusion on his face. "Huh, aren''t you going, Ms. Gilmore?"


    They were all in the same circle, and it wasmon practice to keep each other informed about


    projects like this one especially


    promising ventures. Large-scale


    required coboration to pool


    resources, share mos


    and


    maximize synergy. So Hugh had


    naturally assumed Noreen would be


    there.


    Noreen just smiled faintly. "No, I''m a bit tied up at the moment."


    Hugh, aware of InnoCore''s


    impending IPO, nodded in


    understanding, though with a hint of regret. "I was hoping we''d get a


    chance to work together agam.


    guess it''ll have to be next time.


    The three of them walked out together. Hugh was clearly excited about the superconductivity project, chatting animatedly about it and asking Padgett about the government''s stance.


    "Mr. Harcourt is taking this project very seriously," Hugh remarked. "He''s putting almost all of Aurelion Group''s resources behind it."<fn4d00> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? fι?dnοvel</fn4d00>


    "But I believe the project director is actually Ms. Lowell," Padgett noted. Hughughed. "Does it really make a difference which one of them is in charge?" He had a point. Everyone in their circle knew how much Seth doted on Bianca.


    Even Hugh sighed in admiration. "The way Mr. Harcourt treats Ms. Lowell... it''s really something else. I suppose that''s what true devotion looks like."


    After they parted ways, Hugh hurried to his lunch. He was one of thest to arrive, and the others jokingly told him he had to drink three penalty shots.


    Hugh held up his hands. "My liver''s been acting uptely. I''ll take a rain check. The reason Imate is Fran. into Ms. Gilmore from Winrich at the Ms. government building and we chatted for a bit."


    Someone at the table asked, "Oh, right. Why didn''t Ms. Gilmoree?"


    Bianca answered coolly, "She wasn''t on the guest list."


    Her words were blunt, making it crystal clear that she had no intention of including Noreen.