PerseTech''s celebration ended as disastrously as their roadshow. Bianca had forced a smile all night. As thest of her team left, she remembered Jude and gave him a call.


    He answered after a moment, his voice hesitant. "Hey, Bianca. Sorry, something came upst minute. I can''t make it."


    Bianca was deeply disappointed. She needed her friends'' support now more than ever, yet none of them had shown up. After a two-second pause, she said quietly, "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it."


    Before Jude could say anything else, she hung up. She took a deep breath, struggling topose herself. As she was putting her phone away, she saw someone post photos and videos from InnoCore''s party in their investment group chat.


    Noreen was the center of attention, surrounded by admirers. She wasughing and clinking sses with the heavyweights of the financial world, her smile radiant. In the photos, Bianca saw so many familiar faces. Wade Harcourt, whose approval she had chased for years, was looking at Noreen with genuine affection. Academician Halley, whom she had tried so hard to connect with, was patting Noreen''s shoulder encouragingly and giving her a thumbs-up. Dn, whom she had pursued for six years, was protectively by Noreen''s side, shielding her from unwanted attention, his gaze soft and warm. CEOs and industry leaders openly showed their admiration for her.


    She saw Healy and Mrs. Naylor. Healy''s eyes followed Noreen, a mix of admiration and longing in his gaze.


    And then she saw Jude. The same Jude who had just told her he couldn''t make it.


    Noreen was the star of the show. It was the life Bianca had always dreamed of, had worked so hard for. Yet, after all this time, she was still on the sidelines, watching someone else live it.


    ***


    45


    After dropping Noreen home, Sophia double-checked that she was okay before leaving. Noreen was slightly tipsyt had been a while since she had drunk and her tolerance had waned. But tonight was a night for celebration, and after a few extra sses, she felt light and giddy.


    She sat on a lounge chair on her balcony, gazing at the rare clear night sky and felt an overwhelming urge to share her joy. The only personshe could think of was ire. She wanted to call, but didn''twant to interrupt her work, so she sent a


    WhatsApp message instead.


    *What are you up to?*


    ire didn''t reply right away, but another message came through from an unexpected source.


    *Congrattions.*


    Noreen stared at the single word for a long time before deleting the conversation. His congrattions hade toote. She no longer needed them.


    ire called as soon as she wrapped for the night. Noreen was already half- asleep, curled up in the chair, her voice soft and drowsy when she answered. "Hey, babe. Just finished work?"


    "Yeah, it was a long night shoot." But


    even on set, she hadn''t missed the day''s drama. "If I had known it was going to be this epic, I would have throwna tantrum to get the day off! Seriously is Bitch Bianca cursed or something? How does this keep happening to her?"