It was all thanks to experience, Noreen thought, umted just like training an Al. Her time at Aurelion Group had exposed her to countless projects, giving her the data she needed. It hadn''t been a waste after all.


    Just as she left Halley''s house, her phone rang. It was Seth. She had no intention of answering. As if sensing this, he hung up before it could go to voicemail and sent her a text instead.


    *Don''t you want Ascendancy Group''s resources?*


    She immediately called him back. He answered on the first ring, his voiceced with a strange, triumphant humor. "Decided to talk to me now?"


    "Where are you?" she asked, all business.


    "The Eastern Gardens."


    Once she had the address, she hung up without another word.


    Half an hourter, Noreen arrived at the restaurant. It was a dinner Seth had organized with Ascendancy Group''s partners. When she walked in, the room was buzzing with conversation. Seth''s back was to the door, so he didn''t see her at first. It was a man sitting across from him who noticed her. His eyes lit up.


    "Mr. Harcourt, your girlfriend is here," he teased.


    Others turned to look. "We''ve heard Mr. Harcourt''s girlfriend is beautiful and elegant, and it''s true! She''s even more impressive in person."


    Noreen had never dealt with Aurelion Group''s partners before, so they didn''t recognize her. The mistake was understandable. Just as she was about to correct them, Seth spoke up.


    "Allow me to introduce you all. This is Ms. Gilmore from Winrich, the current CEO of Centribo."


    He seemed just as eager to clear up the misunderstanding. After his exnation; the guests realized their mistake and offered embarrassed apologies. Noreen took it in stride, graciously shaking hands with. everyone to his credit, Seth was a man of his word and had delivered on his promise.


    Naturally, a dinner like this involved drinking. Just as Noreen reached for the decanter, Seth addressed the table. "Gentlemen, I have to pick up my fiancéeter, so I won''t be drinking tonight Let''s use tea instead of wine. I''ll be sure to make it up to you all another time."


    CEO Royce, the man who had first mistaken Noreen for his girlfriend, chuckled. "They say love conquers all! Of course, your girlfriend is more important. We understandpletely."


    Seth just smiled faintly. "You''re too kind, CEO Royce."


    Once the business talk was over, the conversation inevitably drifted to Seth''s personal life. Uninterested, Noreen stipped out to get some fresh air and called her mother Rosalind to check if she was taking her medicme and eating property. After a brief chat, she decided it was time to head back inside.


    As she neared the room, she heard two men talking behind a bamboo screen.


    Her position was concealed, and they didn''t notice her.


    "I just saw Seth," one of them said. "Let''s cancel the deal for tonight. We''ll reschedule."


    The other man sounded tense. "Do you think he knows something?"


    "Probably not. He''s likely just here for a business dinner." He then added reassuringly, "What are you so nervous for? Even if he finds out, it''s not a big deal. My cousin is his fiancée. He''s crazy about her. He won''t do anything." *Bianca''s cousin?* Curious, Noreen peeked around the screen to get a look.


    Suddenly, a hand mped down on her wrist. She gasped, but another hand quickly covered her mouth, stifling the sound. A familiar yet distant scent of cool woodsmoke filled her senses.


    ***<fnd> Chapters first released on find?novel</fnd>