In the past, she had always enjoyed these meetings, using them as opportunities towork and showcase her sess. This time, however, she wished for nothing more than for it to end quickly. But to her dismay, the city had prepared an awards ceremony for the top ten tax contributors, with Padgett Novak himself presenting the honorary sashes.


    Bianca noticed that when Padgett ced the sash on Noreen, he lingered for a moment longer than he had with the others, his smile less official and more genuine. Her eyes darkened, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on her pen.


    After the sashes were all presented, the audience erupted in apuse. Bianca wanted to sit motionless, but a camera panned in their direction, forcing her to p along, her face a mask of polite enthusiasm.


    The moment the meeting concluded, Bianca was the first one out the door, forgoing her usual post-meeting schmoozing. She had intended to invite Padgett Novak to her celebration party, but now she couldn''t bring herself to ask.


    She returned home feeling utterly humiliated, her mood foul. Her mother, Yvonne, had juste back from a gathering with her social circle and was in exceptionally high spirits, a stark contrast to Bianca''s gloom.


    "What''s wrong, dear?" Yvonne asked, noticing her daughter''s sour expression.


    "It''s that bitch Noreen again! Shepletely stole the show at the roundtable meeting!"


    "And that''s worth getting so upset about?" Yvonne asked dismissively.


    "Of course it is! First, she was the star of Mrs. Naylor''s charity g, and now this! Everyone was fawning over her!" Bianca was growing more and more agitated as she spoke.


    Normally, Yvonne would have tried to soothe her, but this time she simply poured herself a cup of tea, held it with a delicate grace, and took a sip. Seeing her mother''s calm demeanor, Bianca''s tirade faltered.


    "Why did you stop? Please, continue," Yvonne saidnguidly. "When you''re done, I have some good news for you."


    Bianca''s attention was instantly diverted. "What good news?"


    "I had afternoon tea with Mrs. Chase today, and she told me something interesting," Yvonne said with a slight smile, leaning back against the sofa with an air of refined elegance. "You know she was abroad with her husbandst week? Well, they attended one of the most exclusive auctions in the world, and she saw Seth there."


    Bianca froze. "What was Seth doing at an auction? He told me he was on a business trip."


    "Don''t be so hasty, let me finish," Yvonne said, her smile widening. "Mrs. Chase also said Seth bought quite a few items, worth overfive billion."


    The staggering sum left Bianca speechless.


    "And the most important part," Yvonne added, "is that this wasn''t the only auction he attended."


    Bianca''s mind raced. Mother and daughter exchanged a look, both arriving at the same conclusion.


    "He went to these auctions behind my back... to buy gifts for our engagement?" Bianca ventured, her voice filled with hope.


    Yvonne, however, was certain. "What else could it be? Don''t you remember all the things he bought when you first got engaged?"


    Although those items had yet to be formally delivered to Bianca, they had been purchased under the prefense of being betrothal gifts, fact both mother and daughter had epted. It was clear: Seth was secretly nning a grand proposal. Cóntent


    The realization washed over Bianca, and


    inner dark mood vanished


    A smile bloomed on her


    face and her entire posture rxed.


    "Feeling better now?" Yvonne asked.


    Bianca nodded. How could she not be happy with such a wonderful surprise in her future?


    "Not angry anymore?"


    "She''s not worth being angry about," Bianca dered with newfound confidence.