Bianca was surprised. "So soon?"


    "Yes, something came up at home."


    Bianca wasn''t sure if she believed him, but she didn''t press. "Alright. Well, when Ie to Northcrest for the roadshow there, we''ll have dinner."


    This time, Henry didn''t reply. He neither epted nor declined. Bianca didn''t think much of it. She knew how infatuated he was with her.


    Though the roadshow had been a disaster, the celebration dinner was already booked. Bianca, though overwhelmed with anxiety, had to put on a brave face and personally call the guests. The same people who had been fawning over her because of Seth had suddenly turned cold. They either had excuses or simply didn''t answer their phones. Some even used the opportunity to demand their investment back.


    After a few calls, Bianca gave up, her patience worn thin. A bunch of fair-weather opportunists. Had they forgotten how they had begged to partner with her?


    When Seth arrived to pick her up, she was visibly upset. Yvonne reminded her to control her expression. No man, especially not one from a prominent family, wanted an emotional woman. A powerful family needed a matriarch who could remain poised in a crisis.


    So Bianca forced a smile and went with Seth to The Cloudspire Hotel. She had prepared herself for a poor turnout, but she hadn''t expected it to be this bleak. The grand hall was nearly empty, with only a handful of people scattered around —all of them her own team. Not a single partner or investor had shown up.


    No matter how good her acting was, she couldn''t hide her disappointment. Even Seth''s influence hadn''t been enough. She had booked ten tables a grand statement of sess. In the end only three were upied. It was humiliating. She could feel the pitying nces of the hotel staff.


    "This is normal," Sethforted her. "Business is about profit. Don''t take it personally."


    In that moment, Bianca was grateful he was still there, still standing by her side She remembered what her mother had told her. As long as you have Seth, you''ll have endless chances to make aeback."


    A flicker of confidence returned. Just then, Jude called to say he was runningte.


    Bianca''s expression finally softened. See? Some people were stilling.


    Jude hung up and tried to sneak out before his father, Seymour Wilder, noticed. But Seymour caught him at the door.


    "Are you deaf?" Seymour said, his face stern.


    "Dad,e on," Jude pleaded. "Bianca is my friend. I should be there for her. You already banned, me from the roadshow. If I don''t even go to the dinner, how can I face anyone?"


    "Then don''t. Be a dog instead," Seymour retorted.