Bianca felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach. Seth had been out of Rivercrest City for days, hunting for new investors, and she was left to fend for herself.


    He must have been swamped, because he never picked up his phone. He''d reply to her messages, but usually while she was asleep. By the time she woke up and texted back, he''d be gone again, leaving her in Rivercrest City to deal with the vultures threatening to pull their funding.


    That night, just before bed, Bianca tried calling him again. The phone rang for so long she was about to give up when he finally answered.


    "Seth," she said, a wave of relief washing over her. "Are you done for the day?"


    His voice was heavy with exhaustion, but still maic. "Just about. I''ll be back in Rivercrest City tomorrow. I know it''s been tough on you thesest few days."


    "Does that mean you found new investors?" Bianca clutched her phone tighter.


    "I did. I''ll introduce you during the Northcrest roadshow."


    His words were a balm, instantly dissolving the panic that had gued her for days. Her confidence surged back.


    "I''ll pick you up tomorrow," she said, her voice bright with excitement.


    "Sounds good," Seth replied.


    She wanted to talk longer, to offer some words offort and affection. Men, after all, needed a little soothing and encouragement when they were tired. It made them more willing to go to bat for you. But before she could say another word, Seth had already hung up.


    Bianca froze for a second, a strange sense of disappointment creeping in. It was the first time he''d ever ended their call so abruptly. But she quickly chided herself for being petty. Seth was out there fighting for her, for PerseTech. Thest thing she should be doing was getting hung up on trivial details. It was beneath her.


    ***


    The next day, Bianca applied her makeup with meticulous care before driving to the airport to meet Seth. She arrived a little early, before his flight hadnded. A woman who was also waiting for someone recognized her.


    "You''re Mr. Harcourt''s fiancée, aren''t you?" she asked.


    Bianca''s chest tightened. It was a frustrating reminder that after alkher hard work, she was still primarily known by his name. Süll, she managed a polite smile and a brief greeting.


    The woman seemed to get the hint that she wasn''t in the mood to chat and, after


    a few more pleasantries, met her own party and left.


    A few minutester, Seth emerged from the arrivals gate.


    "Seth, over here!" Bianca waved, and he immediately started walking toward her.


    Not ten feet away, ire Chase looked up from her phone. Well, what do you know. Jerk Seth and Bitch Bianca.


    Her phone rang. It was Sophia Cole.


    "Are you out yet? I''m waiting by the curb. If you''re already outside, I won''t pull into the parking garage. It''ll save us from getting stuck in traffic."


    ire broke into a light jog and hopped into Sophia''s car. "Noreen has an


    important meeting and couldn''t get away, so she sent me to pick you up," Sophia exined.


    "I know, she told me on WhatsApp."


    "I''ll take you to meet up with her, and then we''ll all grab dinner. The reservation''s already made."


    "Works for me," ire said.


    Noreen Gilmore was indeed busy. By the time ire arrived, she had to wait for nearly an hour before the meeting finally wrapped up.


    ire couldn''t help but sigh. "This confirms it. I definitely don''t have what it takes to be a boss. From now on, I''m sticking to being a shareholder who just collecte dividends."


    Noreen had barely exchanged two words with ire when a man approached


    her.


    "I was in Northcrest on business a couple of days ago," he said. "I saw Mr. Harcourt having dinner with Mr. Quigley from Serenity Capitab I''d bet they''re going to invest in PerseTech."


    The man was Yves Elwyn.