Noreen finally looked up at them. If she recalled correctly, Halley owed the Harcourt family a favor. Was Seth nning to cash in that favor to pave the way for Bianca? He was certainly pulling out all the stops.


    Halley seemed to have guessed Seth''s intention as well, but he offered no quarter. "So, Mr. Harcourt, are you asking me to bend the rules?"


    Bianca''s face instantly fell. She hadn''t expected Halley to be so blunt. "You''ve misunderstood, Academician Joyner," she exined hastily. "Seth just meant that since I already have a doctorate from WT Business School, perhaps some of the more redundant steps in the process could be simplified."


    "That makes even less sense," Halley countered. "If you already have a doctorate, Ms. Lowell, why would you bother with my humble master''s program?"


    "You''re too modest, Academician. My education has been focused on foreign financial models. I still have much to learn about the domestic economic system, which has been a disadvantage since I returned. I thought it would be best to start from the fundamentals. After all, one never stops learning. I hope you''ll give me that chance."


    Her humility seemed to soften Halley''s attitude. "A desire to learn is a good thing. But admission is based on merit."


    With that, Bianca had no choice but to agree. "Of course. I''m happy to prove my abilities."


    Noreen raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Dn handed her a peeled chestnut. As she took it, she caught Seth watching her out of the corner of her eye. His gaze quickly shifted back to Bianca, who chose that exact moment to look back at him, their eyes meeting in a look of smoldering devotion.


    "Seth was just worried I would overwork myself," Bianca exined to Halley. "He was just being overprotective. I hope you can understand."


    Noreen bit into the chestnut. "So sweet," she murmured.


    Herment drew the attention of everyone in the room, including Seth and Bianca. Bianca looked almost startled.


    Noreen smiled innocently. "I mean the chestnut. It''s very sweet."


    A sh of annoyance crossed Bianca''s face before she smoothed it over, resuming her air of detached superiority.


    It was Seth who, to everyone''s surprise, picked up the thread. "Then you should have some more."


    Dn immediately rolled up his sleeves. "I''ll peel them for you."<fn43a7> Read full story at Find?Novel</fn43a7>


    "Thank you, Dn."


    The easy rapport between them made Bianca''s eyes darken, her nails digging into her palms.


    Seth and Halley discussed current economic trends, with Bianca interjecting periodically, trying hard to showcase her knowledge. D just kept his head down, peeling chestnuts. Noreen remained silent, knowing she was out of her depth and smartly using the snack as a cover.


    When she finished the small te of chestnuts, she dusted off her hands. "Well, it''s gettingte. I shouldn''t. take up any more of your time.” she stood Dn stood with fer. "If walk you out."


    "It''s okay, I drove," she said. "You should stay and keep the Professorpany."


    Bianca scoffed silently. *Professor. How presumptuous. And how maniptive.* By following Dn''s lead, she was implying she was also one of Halley''s students. *As if she''s worthy.*


    As if on cue, Halley snorted. “Are you my student to be calling me that? he grumbled, seemingly forgetting their agreement that if she passed the exam, he would reinstate her as his student.


    ***