Noreen took a deep breath, trying to quell the anger rising within her. She pulled out her phone to call Provost Ferris, but before she could dial, she heard his voice approaching.


    It was Bianca who spoke first. "Provost Ferris, I''m so sorry for all the trouble."


    "Not at all, Ms. Lowell," the provost said graciously. "It was just a phone call. There was no need for you and Mr. Harcourt toe all the way down here." He added, "If you need any extra hands, just say the word. I can have some of the university staff assist you."


    "That would be a great help. Thank you, Provost."


    Just then, a worker carrying arge crate passed by. Seth, concerned Bianca might be hit, gently pulled her by the arm toward him, shielding her protectively. The next moment, she was nestled safely in his embrace. She looked up at him and smiled sweetly.


    "Well, I''ll be heading off," Provost Ferris said, seeing that everything was running smoothly. "Call me if you need anything."


    "We will. Thank you again, Provost. We''ll have to take you out to dinner sometime," Seth said.


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Harcourt," the provost replied with a wave.


    After he left, Seth and Bianca went inside the auditorium.


    Noreen took another long, steadying breath before finally dialing the provost''s number. He answered immediately, his voice apologetic. "Ms. Gilmore, I was just about to call you. I am so terribly sorry, but we''ve had an issue here at the university, and we need to make an adjustment to the venue you booked."


    "But Provost Ferris..."


    "Ms. Gilmore, I owe you one for this," he cut in. "Anything you need in the future, you just have to ask. I promise I won''t let you down."


    He didn''t even let her finish her sentence. It was a done deal, irreversible. And of course it was. With Seth involved, the provost had no choice but toply. After all, Seth had been instrumental in helping him secure his current position, Aurelion Group provided internships and career paths for Rivercrest University graduates, helping solve the student


    employment problem. They had also donated two hundred million for a new technology building.


    The irony was sickening. All of it had been Noreen''s idea, a proposal she had presented to Seth during her time at Aurelion. She had personally overseen the project from start to finish. Her goal had been to build awork of connections for Seth, favors he could one day call in.


    And now, he was calling them in. For Bianca.


    Noreen''s hand slowly tightened into a fist, her mind going nk for a moment.


    Finally, she managed to speak. "I understand."


    The provost, clearly feeling guilty,


    tried to make amends. "Hall B may be smaller than Hall A, but it''s still perfectly usable. As a gesture of goodwill, I''ll arrange f?r free promotion for InnoCore on the


    university''s official website, student


    forums, and mobile app.


    "Thank you, Provost Ferris."


    Before hanging up, he apologized onest time. Everyone had their own position, their own pressures. Noreen understood. It was a world built on favors and connections. Right now, she didn''t have time to dwell on it. She had to get her team over here to set up the new venue.


    When she returned to the hall, she found Colby pulling their discarded signs out of the trash and wiping them clean. He looked at her, his expression questioning.


    "Move them to Hall B," she said.


    He understood. He didn''t ask any more questions, just quietly got back to work. By the time the team from Winrich arrived, Noreen and Colby were already cleaning the new space. With more hands, they made quick progress.


    By the time they were nearly finished, it was three in the morning.