Colby asked Noreen, "Should we turn around?"


    "No, it''s fine." Noreen frowned slightly, her gaze cool.


    She had tried avoiding Seth before when he sought her out, only to be cornered by him at every turn.


    It was better to face him directly. If he had something to say, he could say it. If there was a problem, they would solve it.


    That way, there would be no lingering entanglements.


    And no room for others to specte.


    Colby parked the car on the side of the road and waited inside.


    When Seth saw Noreen get out of the car, his gaze shifted to her. The dim yellow


    light of the streemp gave his silhouette an unreal quality.


    Noreen nced at her watch.


    It was nine-thirty at night.


    Why wasn''t he at the hospital with Bianca? What was he doing here?


    Was he here to plead Bianca''s case?


    Did he really think she was that kind?


    Or was he preparing to offer her another deal she couldn''t refuse in exchange for Bianca''s peace of mind?


    If that was the case... it wasn''t entirely out of the question.


    After all, she was a pragmatic businesswoman.


    She used to care only about genuine affection, and she had lost everything.


    Now, all she cared about was money, resources, and connections!


    Anything that could benefit her!


    But she would never again pursue genuine affection.


    So, as Noreen approached Seth, she cut straight to the chase. "Are you here to plead for Bianca?"


    Seth''s eyes met hers, a faint smile on his lips. "Why would you think that?"


    Noreen raised an eyebrow.


    Was she wrong?


    That didn''t seem right.


    But she had no interest in ying games with him. Her voice was tinged with coldness. "Then what are you doing here?"


    Surely he wasn''t here to reminisce.


    Seth met her cool gaze, his tone a little heavier than usual. "That time you missed


    the exam—what were you sick with?"


    Noreen''s brows furrowed instantly.


    She felt there was something seriously wrong with his train of thought.


    His fiancée, was in deep trouble, but instead of dealing with it, he was standing outside her apartment asking about something that happened six years ago.


    What was wrong with him?


    Had he lost his mind?


    "You really want to know?" Noreen''s tone wasced with obvious mockery.


    "Yes," Seth replied.


    "It was because of you," Noreen said, her words sharp and direct. "Our first time. You weren''t gentle, and it


    caused a ruptured ovarian cyst met.


    was hospitalized, satmissed the exam and gotst ce for the only time in my life."


    Seth''s expression froze. His pupils trembled slightly, his gaze wavering.


    Shock and aplex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes before being swallowed by silence.


    "Feeling guilty?" Noreen asked coolly.


    Seth''s throat moved, but he didn''t answer. It was a silent admission.


    "If you feel guilty, then nevere to me to plead for Bianca. Everything she stole


    from me, I will take back, piece by piece."


    A chilling aura surrounded Noreen. "Except for you."


    The news of the overseas finance Ph.D.''s giarism had spread like wildfire. Jude


    had been on edge, terrified that Seymour Wilder would hear about it.


    He had even specifically told the caregivers not to let Seymour watch the financial news.


    But some fires can''t be contained.


    The scandal was too big, and Seymour inevitably found out.


    That same day, Jude received a call from the doctor, informing him that the shock had worsened Seymour''s condition.


    Jude''s worries deepened.


    He turned down invitations from his usual group of friends to go out.


    After much deliberation, he bought some nutritional supplements and went to the hospital to see Bianca.


    To avoid reporters, Bianca had been transferred to a private clinic.


    When Jude arrived, he ran into Forrest Lowell, who was just leaving the room.


    "She''s been very down these past


    two days, i not saying a word for hours on end. It''s rare for her to have a friend visit. If you can, please spend some time with her


    So, no one hade to see Bianca these past few days.


    It made sense. In her current situation, who would want to associate with her?


    If he didn''t feel like he had no other choice, he probably wouldn''t havee either.


    So, faced with Forrest''s request, Jude felt a pang of guilt.