Noreen felt bad for dragging her team out for an all-nighter and decided to order some food and drinks as a small thank you. She had just pulled out her phone when a delivery person arrived at the door of Hall A.


    He called out to the people inside, "I have a delivery for a Ms. Bianca Lowell?"


    "That''s me," Bianca said, rising from her chair and walking toward the door.


    "Coffee and pastries from a Mr. Harcourt," the delivery person said. "Please sign here."


    "Of course." After signing, Bianca immediately called Seth, her voice sweet with delight. "Seth, I got the coffee and pastries you sent! I thought you would have been asleep by now."


    "I''m not tired. How could I be tired just sitting here and pointing?"


    "It''s been so busy these past few days, I haven''t had a chance to spend any time with you. Once PerseTech''s IPO is a sess, we''ll go on a proper vacation."


    Bianca continued her call,pletely oblivious to anyone else around her.


    Noreen checked the delivery apps on her phone and saw that the earliest anything could arrive was in an hour. She was about to offer to drive and pick something up herself when Sophia and the rest of the team arrived, their hands


    full of bags.


    "Noreen!" Sophia called out with a grin. "I brought coffee, drinks, and pastries for everyone. A little something to keep us going."


    Noreen breathed a sigh of relief. Her assistant was bing more and more indispensable. For a moment, she could finally rx.


    ***


    At seven in the morning, Bianca was having her hair and makeup done at Myriad Atelier, with Lillian Laurent fussing over a selection of jewelry. There were so many options that Lillian was having trouble choosing, marveling once again at how well Seth treated Branca. It was enough to make anyone envious.


    As Bianca was dozing in her chair, Yvonne called to let her know she was bringing


    her circle of socialite friends to the roadshow.


    "A lot of thedies areing today,


    so you''d better be on your best


    vel


    behavior, Yvonne said. "Their husbands represent a web of connections and influence. They might invest in your future projects or buy shares in PerseTech This could be huge for your career."


    Yvonne had worked tirelessly to break into that circle, all to pave the way for Bianca.


    "Is Mrs. Nayloring?" Bianca asked.


    "No, of course not. You know Noreen has herpletely brainwashed."


    Bianca sneered. "Noreen must have been spreading lies about me to her and Healy. Otherwise, why would Mrs. Naylor be so prejudiced against me?"


    Especially Healy. They had been friends for years, yet Noreen had turned him against her with just a few words. He had grown distant, cold. He used to be so active in their group chat, but now he rarely said a word. She had sent out an invitation to the roadshow in the group, and he hadn''t even bothered to respond. He was clearly pretending he hadn''t


    seen it.


    Yvonne had also faced her share of snubs from Mrs. Naylortely, and the mere mention of her name soured her mood. "Let''s not talk about her. The point is, most of the circle will be there. Just make sure you put on a good show and don''t embarrass me."


    "I will."


    "And one more thing, don''t let Lilliane," Yvonne added. "That little scandal of hers has died down, but if someone recognizes her, it could reflect badly on you."


    Bianca agreed. Lillian, who had overheard the entire conversation, slumped. She had been hoping to see Healy at the event.


    Knowing what she was thinking, Bianca tried to console her.