Even though it had been so long, she could still see the cold, indifferent look on Seth''s face as he''d said it. It was the first time she had experienced workce harassment. The client was important, someone she couldn''t afford to offend. Terrified, her eyes red with unshed tears, she had gone to Seth for help. And that had been his response.


    From that day on, she had learned to rely on herself to solve every problem she faced. The pain of that moment must have been so sharp that it had etched itself into her memory, clear enough that she could still recall the exact expression on his face.


    If it had been Bianca in that situation, Seth''s reaction would have been entirely different. Theparison was a bitter pill to swallow.


    Seeing her expression, Dn''s face filled with concern. "Noreen, you''ll burn out if you always try to handle everything on your own."


    She knew she would get tired. But in this world, who could you truly depend on but yourself?


    "Have you forgotten?" Dn reminded her gently. "You have an ace in the hole. He might be able to help you with this."


    A thought sparked in Noreen''s mind. "You mean..."


    Seeing her instant understanding, Dn''s eyes lit up. "Yes. Exactly."


    The next day, Noreen showed up at the Joyner residence with Dr. Harrison in tow. But Halley Joyner, having somehow gotten word of their visit, had already made his escape. Noreen was left standing at an empty doorway. He wouldn''t even answer his phone. She sighed. How could a man his age be so afraid of the doctor?


    At that moment, Halley was at a business dinner he would normally never attend. But to avoid Noreen, he had epted a random invitation, only to find it was a dinner hosted by Seth.


    When CEO Barrett of Everstill saw Halley, he immediately became deferential "Academician Joyner! It''s been too long. He was unwardly marveling at Bianca''s connections. How had she managed to get *the* Haffey Joyner to attend?


    Everyone else at the table had the same thought. Academician Joyner had retired from the financial world years ago to focus on his


    legends he had created still vel.ne


    mathematical research. But the


    circted throughout the industry. He had achieved monumental sess by applying mathematical models and


    toves


    investment,


    eventua


    founding


    the renowned Voyage Capital. The firm, which relied solely on


    algorithms and statistical analysis, had revolutionized the field, and to this day, it remained an industry titan.


    Bianca basked in the admiring nces, her heart swelling with emotion. This was proof of how much Seth cared for her. To do this for her he had even brought out Academician Joyner. He cared for her more than she could have ever imagined.


    Throughout the dinner, Halley was the center of attention. CEO Barrettmented how he had tried for three years to get into Academician Joyner''s graduate program, only to fail each time.


    Mr. Galloway of Sylvan Core Technologies consoled him. "Everyone knows how difficult it is to get in. I was one of the rejects myself."


    Bianca saw her opening. "If I hadn''t studied abroad, I might have had the chance to be one of Academician Joyner''s students as well."


    "That''s entirely possible," Mr. Galloway agreed. "Finance is so closely tied to mathematics, and Rivercrest University has an excellent interdisciplinary program."<fn3af5> Latest content published on ?ovelFind</fn3af5>


    "It''s not toote now," CEO Barrett added. "The rest of us are too old, but you just finished your doctorate two years ago, Ms. Lowell. You still have a chance."


    Halley, who had been mostly silent, finally spoke. "My students aren''t so easy toe by."


    ***