Noreen apanied Carman Holt to three roadshows, and seeing his


    performance improve with each one, she decided to let him handle the rest on his own. It was time for him to learn to stand on his own two feet. Besides, she needed to devote every remaining moment to her grad school preparations. With only about a month left, time was running out.


    Still, keeping an eye on the industry was a habit she''d cultivated for years. Lately, there had been a lot of chatter about PerseTech. Serenity Capital had ultimately backed out, for reasons unknown, but it hadn''t seemed to slow PerseTech down. Seth had managed to secure new funding from overseas. It was clear he was doing everything in his power to protect Bianca.


    The rumor mill churned with spection that Seth''s relentless support was a strategy to win his father, Wade Harcourt''s, approval so he could finally marry Bianca. Noreen had to admit, it made sense. His desperation to marry Bianca was the only logical exnation for the extraordinary lengths he''d gone to prop her up since her return.


    The puzzle pieces clicked into ce. After a brief moment of reflection, Noreen pushed the thoughts aside and returned to her books.


    That evening, Sophia arrived with a container of soup, and Noreen realized with a start that it was already dark outside.


    "I knew you''d forget to eat," Sophia chided,dling the soup into a bowl. "So I brought a few extra dishes."


    Noreen took a few sips to warm her stomach. "Have your cooking skills taken a nosedivetely?"


    Sophia froze. "Is it bad?"


    "Not bad, exactly. It just doesn''t have that rich vor it usually does."


    "Maybe I didn''t let it simmer long enough," Sophia muttered.


    "It''s still delicious," Noreen said, meaning it. She wasn''t trying to be critical.


    While she ate, Sophia gave her a quick update on thepany. "Yvonne Laurent came by twicest week while you were away, and again this week. I sent her away each time."


    "She probably wants to talk about Lana. Just ignore her. Let thewyers handle everything." Noreen''s position was unwavering. It didn''t matter how many times Yvonne showed up; the answer woul always be the same There was


    point in meeting.


    ***


    Bianca returned from her roadshow in Creston City in high spirits, bearing gifts for Yvonne and Lillian Laurent Normally, Lillian would have torn mo the presents immediately, but this time she listlessly set the box aside. Her eyes were red and swollen.


    "Bianca," she pleaded, "can you please, please ask Seth to do something? To get Mom out of there?"


    Bianca frowned at Yvonne. "Noreen still won''t see you?"


    "No."


    At the confirmation, Bianca''s face hardened. "What the hell does she want to drop the charges?"


    "If I knew that, this would be a lot easier," Yvonne sighed. Without understanding Noreen''s endgame, she waspletely stuck.


    "Bianca, please, just ask Seth," Lillian sobbed. "Mom''s been in custody for almost three weeks. She isn''t eating, she can''t sleep... she''s wasting away. If you ask him, I know he''ll help you."


    Bianca knew she had to. Lana had gotten into this mess trying to help her. She couldn''t refuse.


    "I''ll call him right now," she promised.


    ***


    Sophia had just left when Noreen''s


    phone rang was Seth. She didn''t have to answer to know exactly what he wanted to talk about. Without a second thought, she declined the call. Not wanting any further distractions, she turned her phone offpletely.