Finally addressed, Seth''s gaze shifted, slowly sweeping over the photosid out on


    the table. A faint, self-mocking smile touched his lips. "Haven''t you always disapproved of my taste?"


    "I have," Wade replied, as blunt as ever.


    "Then you two can choose. I''m leaving."


    With that, Seth stood up, grabbed his coat from the sofa, and left. Wade angrily swept the remaining photos back onto the table.


    Evelyn followed him to the door, murmuring, "You''re leaving before dinner?"


    "You all eat. My being here would only ruin everyone''s appetite."


    As he spoke, Noreen looked over. Seth opened the front door, and the fading sunlight streamed in, casting his face in deep shadow.


    Noreen had an important dinner the next day, so she didn''t stay either.


    Just after she left, Evelyn came out of the kitchen. She saw Wade silently gathering the photos, his expression dark.


    Evelyn couldn''t hold back any longer. "Is there really no room for reconciliation?" she asked.


    Her question was met with Wade''s silence, and the light in his eyes dimming, inch by inch.


    The dinner was hosted by Hugh Summers, and the guests were all influential figures in Rivercrest City. But he had arranged for Noreen to sit at the head of the table, the seat of honor.


    No one objected to this arrangement. They all felt Noreen had earned it. After all, who among them had managed to pull off two sessful IPOs at once? Not even Seth, in his prime as a business prodigy, had aplished that.


    Faced with their praise, Noreen was appropriately humble when necessary and confident when called for. She handled the situation with practiced ease.


    Even Hugh Summers couldn''t help but reminisce about when he had first met Noreen a year ago, marveling at how she had managed to skyrocket past everyone in just one year.


    Noreen didn''t entirely agree with his


    asses. She exined, "I feel


    like I''ve been climbing a staircase, not taking a shortcut. Every step Ive taken has been solid and visible."


    Hugh Summers was greatly impressed by her answer and raised his ss to toast her.


    Just as the atmosphere was getting lively, Hugh''s secretary approached and whispered something to him. Noreen was sitting right next to and couldn''t help but overhear.


    him


    The secretary said, "Mr. Summers, Ms. Lowell from Perse Tech is outside. She says she wants to see you."


    Hugh''s face immediately darkened with displeasure. "Tell her I''m busy. Tell her to leave."


    "I did, but she refuses to go. She insists on seeing you," the secretary said, looking troubled.


    Hugh mmed his ss down on the table, his voiceced with impatience. "Can''t you just call security and have her removed? Why can''t you handle something so simple?"


    The secretary quickly scurried out, terrified of being fired over the incident.


    "Mr. Summers, what has you so upset?" someone who hadn''t heard asked.


    Hugh waved his hand dismissively. "Just someone who ruins the mood. Not worth mentioning. Let''s continue drinking."


    Such were the rules of survival. Cruel, but realistic.


    Just as everyone raised their sses again, the private room door opened once more. Bianca was standing there.


    Hugh''s face turned cold, and he was about to scold his secretary for her ipetence when Seth appeared behind Bianca.


    He was backlit, the shadows deep


    e''


    around his sharp nose and eyes, making him look even more inscrutable. His voice was yful but held a chilling edge. "Mr Summers did you perhaps not know I was back in Rivercrest City? Is that why you didn''t invite me to your dinner?"