"I actually came to apologize, CEO Barrett," Noreen interjected smoothly, cutting him off before he had to stumble through an excuse. "It seems we''ll have to postpone our coboration for now."


    Her directness caught him off guard. He could only manage an awkwardugh. "Well, then. Perhaps another time."


    Noreen''s gaze shifted to Bianca, where she saw a flicker of smug satisfaction. As she walked past them, Noreen paused.


    "Ms. Lowell," she said, her tone light and curious, "do you enjoy taking things that belong to others because of some deep-seated insecurity?"


    Bianca''s face froze, the smile vanishing from her lips.


    "What does she mean by that?" Barrett asked, confused.


    Noreen simply smiled. "Nothing at all. Goodbye, CEO Barrett."


    She didn''t push it further. Bianca was the person Seth cherished above all else. Disrespecting Bianca was disrespecting Seth, and he was fiercely protective of her. With the Ascendancy Group resources for Centribo still not fully in her control, Noreen couldn''t afford to burn that bridge.


    As she was heading downstairs, about to call Colby, her phone rang. It was Dn Wilder.


    "Are you at Everstill?" he asked the moment she answered.


    "How did you know?" Noreen said, surprised.


    "I''m here too. I saw your car. Let''s meet. There''s something I need to talk to you about."


    Dn''s car was parked just outside the building. As Noreen stepped out, she saw him, but she also saw Seth, who was clearly waiting to pick someone up. The two men were exchanging a few words. When Dn spotted Noreen, he said to Seth, "The person I''m meeting is here."


    Seth''s gaze fell on Noreen, cool and distant. She walked right past him, a warm smile spreading across her face as she approached Dn.


    "Have you been waiting long?"


    "Not at all." Dn habitually reached out and ruffled her hair.


    Nearby, Seth pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, his expression visibly hardening.


    "Let''s find somewhere quiet to sit," Dn suggested.


    "Okay," Noreen agreed instantly.


    Dn held the car door open for her. As she got in and fastened her seatbelt, Bianca emerged from the building.


    "Seth! You came to get me! Why didn''t you say anything?" Her face, initially bright with a smile, clouded over the moment she saw Noreen with Dyfan. Her expression only softened when Seth opened the passenger door for her. She shot Noreen a contemptuous ook before getting into the car.


    "Why are you smoking again?" she asked once Seth was inside.


    "It''s nothing. How did it go with CEO Barrett?"


    The question sessfully diverted her attention. "He''s very interested in Perse Tech," she said, her tone boastful. "He''s decided to partner with us."


    "Good," Seth said, a note of approval in his voice.


    "Seth," she said again.


    "Yes?"


    “If PerseTech has a sessful IPO, will you take me to meet your father?"


    Seth''s answer was swift and certain. "Of course."


    A surge of confidence filled Bianca As long as Seth was on her side, she was sure she could win Wade Harcourts approval on her own merit.


    <fnee0a> Readplete version only at FindN0vel</fnee0a>


    ...


    In a quiet café, Dn didn''t beat around the bush. "Have you run into some trouble recently?"


    Noreen sighed. "It''s true what they say: bad news travels fast."


    "I told you, if you ever have a problem, you cane to me. Maybe I can help.


    And even if I can''t, I can offer some advice."


    "I can''t just run to someone else every time I have a problem," Noreen said, a


    thought surfacing from her past.


    *Solve your own problems. No one is obligated to help you.*


    The words echoed in her mind, and suddenly, she was back there.


    ***