Noreen Gilmore didn''t hesitate for a second. "I''m sorry," she said, her voice firm, "but that''s not up for discussion."
Seth Harcourt wasn''t fazed. He simply leaned back in his chair, his posture rxed, his tone cool and even. "Perhaps you should hear my offer before you decide. What if it''s something you can''t refuse?”
Noreen stared at him for a long moment before her brow softened. "Fine. Let''s talk."
A faint, knowing smirk touched Seth''s lips, a silent flicker of mockery. Even Bianca Lowell, sitting beside him, curled her red lips in a dismissive smile. Noreen ignored them. All she wanted to know was whatvish sacrifice Seth was willing to make for Bianca this time.
A negotiation like this required privacy. As Seth stood, he ced a reassuring hand on Bianca''s shoulder. "I''ll be right back."
Bianca''s performance was one of magnanimous confidence in their rtionship. "Take your time," she said sweetly. But as Noreen turned to leave, Bianca shot her a look of pure contempt.
*So what if Wade Harcourt likes you?* she thought. *To Seth, you''re nothing.*
The only person Seth cared about was her. She had only mentioned in passing that she wanted to beat his record for the fastest IPO in Rivercrest City, and he had immediately started pulling strings for her. He had personally contacted Mr. Galloway of Sylvan Core Technologies, arranging this meeting to intercept the deal just before Noreen could sign.
Seth led Noreen into another private room where a waiter had already prepared tea. On the table were several tes of delicate pastries, including a tter of macarons—the same trendy dessert that had been impossible to find a few years back. Noreen remembered lining up at a bakeryte one night to buy them as a treat for the Aurelion Group employees who had been pulling all-nighters for a subsidiary''s IPO. The macarons were limited, so she hadn''t saved any for herself. It was Gillian who, seeing this, had insisted on giving her half a box. Noreen had tried one, thought it was delicious, and had messaged Seth to tell him about it. He''d been busy and never replied. She had forgotten all about it and hadn''t had a macaron since.
To see them here, after all this time... A restaurant like this wouldn''t stock them; they had to be bought from a specialty bakery. It was clear Seth had nned this day meticulously. It wasn''t the first time she''d witnessed the lengths he would go to for Bianca, but each time, it felt like a fresh revtion. He would move mountains to satisfy Bianca''s slightest whim, even when he knew it was something Noreen had worked tirelessly to achieve.
"Have some pastries," Seth invited as she sat down.
"Let''s skip the formalities," Noreen said, her expression unmoved.
Seth''s eyebrow arched, making his dark eyes seem brighter, deeper. A ghest of a smile touched his voice "You''ve already developed the capitalist mindset." fo
*Calm, rational, and willing to ept any terms as long as they''re advantageous.*
Noreen offered a cool smile. “Thank you for thepliment, Mr. Harcourt."
Seth got straight to the point. "Name your price. As long as it''s within reason, I''ll consider it.” His tone was all business, wasting no time.
Noreen was equally direct. "Centribo gets full ess to all of Ascendancy Group''s resources."
Seth paused, the teacup halfway to his lips, then let out a softugh. "You certainly don''t hold back."
"This is a golden opportunity for you to demonstrate your love for Ms. Lowell Mr. Harcourt". Noreen replied
with a serene Smeplies
opportunity not to be missed."
"Did you get a taste of sessst time and decide toe back for
more? Seth''s smile remained, but its was impossible to if it was<fnb186> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find[?]ovel</fnb186>
genuine. Not that Noreen cared.
She maintained her professional negotiating stance. "Love is priceless, after all.
I''d say you''re the one getting the better end of this deal."
Perhaps that was the line that did it. In the end, Seth agreed.
***