But she couldn''t block out the gasps of awe from the rest of the restaurant. Even the waiters had gathered to watch the fireworks.


    The chatter was incessant.


    "This has to be the biggest fireworks g in years! What an incredible gesture!"


    Yvonne turned to Bianca, her face dark. "Which Mr. Joyner is it?"


    Bianca didn''t want to answer.


    In the end, it was Seth who rified. "It''s Mr. Castle, from the Joyner family, one of Glenhaven City''s oldest and most respected families."


    Yvonne felt a jolt of shock, her face a picture of disbelief.


    It was *that* Joyner family!


    Noreen''s connections... how could they be this powerful?


    Lillian wondered absently if this Mr. Joyner was also interested in Noreen. Why else would he put on a celebratory fireworks show for her?


    Noreen didn''t know what others were thinking, nor did she care.


    The fireworks were truly beautiful, so she took a picture and posted it on Twitter.


    Likes andments started pouring in almost immediately.


    Noreen didn''t reply, but she scrolled through them.


    Most were from people she knew, except for one unfamiliar like andment.


    Frost.


    He had left a simple one-wordment: "Congrattions."


    Noreen hesitated, remembering this ount had liked her posts before.


    She clicked on the profile picture.


    It was stillpletely nk.


    She couldn''t for the life of her remember when she had added this person.


    As she debated whether to delete him, Sophia called her over for a group photo.


    Noreen put her phone away and went to join them, smiling for the camera.


    On one side of the restaurant, there wasughter and sess.


    On the other, only gloom and despair.


    "I''m tired," Bianca said, no longer able to bear watching Noreen''s triumph. It was suffocating.


    Yvonne was just as restless. "Let''s go back to the hotel and rest. Don''t we have a flight back to Rivercrest City tomorrow?"


    "I thought our flight was the day after tomorrow," Seth said.


    "I changed it. Let''s just go back early."


    The word "just" hung in the air,den with unspoken meaning. Everyone understood.


    Seth thought for a moment. "I suggest changing it to a night flight, or even a red- eye."


    "Why?" Lillian asked, confused.


    "To avoid the media."


    He paused, then added, "And to


    avoid the investors. They''re emotional right now which could easily escte the confer It''s better to lie low until everyone has cooled down, then we can discuss a solution."


    Bianca''s eyes turned sharp and cold.


    She had never imagined a day like this woulde for her.


    Having to go home in the dead of night, like she couldn''t be seen in the light of day. How was she any different from a rat?


    But she also knew that what Seth said was the truth, the cruel, undeniable truth.


    A truth she had no choice but to ept.


    So she could only nod in humiliation.


    The group left the restaurant early.


    As they were leaving, Bianca finally mustered the courage to nce in Noreen''s direction.


    It was the first time she had looked at her all night.


    Even surrounded by a crowd, Noreen''s radiance was impossible to hide.


    And that radiance burned Bianca''s eyes.


    Once they were outside, Seth called a car. After seeing them all inside, he leaned down and spoke to them


    through the window. "I have


    something to take care of You guys go back to the hotel first."


    Bianca bit her lip and looked at Seth, a jolt running through her heart.


    He remained as impassive as ever, his dark eyes revealing nothing.


    She desperately wanted him to stay with her, she needed him right now.


    But Bianca didn''t say a word. Her hands, resting on herp, clenched unconsciously Finally she gave slight nod in response. >


    After the car pulled away, Lillian asked, her voice full of suspicion, "Seth isn''t going


    to find Noreen, is he?"