For the past year, she had been lost in the beautiful dream he had woven for her, unable to wake up. She had even found herself falling irrevocably in love with him.


    She had met many men, but Seth was the only one who had ever captured her heart. That was why his confession that he had never loved her was so utterly devastating.


    Her love curdled into hate. She gripped the bars of the partition, her voice hysterical as she demanded, "What about Noreen? Do you love her?"


    The mention of Noreen''s name seemed to quell the storm in his eyes. Even his voice softened, almost imperceptibly.


    "Yes."


    His answer was firm. It was the final, soul-crushing blow.


    Bianca''s hands, which had been clutching the bars, suddenly went limp. She copsed back into her chair, her eyes losing focus.


    "So..."


    So, from the very beginning, Seth had just been using her.


    Seth was far more ruthless than she had ever imagined.


    He finished her unspoken thought for her. "I used you to put her on the right path, to make you a stepping stone for her sess."


    "You''re despicable, Seth!" Bianca used him, her voice filled with despair. But Seth was indifferent to her condemnation.


    His indifference only made her more frantic. "Do you really think doing all this will make Noreene back to you?"


    "I never expected her toe back."


    Seth''s dark eyes were like an endless vortex, pulling Bianca into darkness. His objective achieved, he didn''t want to stay a second longer. He stood up to leave.


    "You''ll die a horrible death!" Bianca cursed him with the most venomous words she could muster.


    Seth let out a cold, mockingugh. His chilling eyes were devoid of emotion. "I know."


    When Coley found Seth, he was standing in the smoking area, head bowed as he took a drag from a cigarette. The ashtray beside him was already overflowing with butts, and the air was thick with smoke.


    Coley walked over and informed him calmly, "Just as you predicted, his people have made a move."


    He added with a hint of disgust, "Hiswork is truly vast. We''ve cleared out so many, but there are still more."


    "That''s to be expected," Seth said, stubbing out his cigarette. "Which is why we can''t give him a chance to recover. We have to finish him while he''s down."


    Coley looked at him. "Are you still going ahead with the high-stakes gamble?"


    Seth''s only reply was to turn and walk away.


    "Where are you going?" Coley called after him.


    Seth didn''t answer, his figure receding into the distance.


    "Be careful," Coley added.


    Seth finally raised a hand in a brief gesture of acknowledgment.


    The silver-topped Maybach sped away, heading directly for The Gilded Sands Hotel.


    Tonight, Noreen was hosting a celebratory g on the top floor of The Gilded Sands. The elite of Rivercrest City were all gathered there.


    Words of congrattions filled the air, and Noreen navigated the crowd with effortless grace.


    Healy Naylor arrived with Jude Wilder. Jude had lost his former swagger, reced by a quiet maturity. He had be much more reserved When he saw Noreen, he simply offered a brief greeting.


    Healy had hoped to chat with Noreen, as they hadn''t seen each other in a while But as the host of the evening, she was constantly surrounded by well-wishers, and he couldn''t get a word in.


    He and Jude found a quiet corner where they could observe the festivities. All around them, guests were Javishing praise on Noteen. The awals were a constant stream of influential figures, each more prominent than thest.


    Healy couldn''t help but sigh. "It looks like we''ll all be looking up to Noreen from now


    on."


    Jude didn''t say anything, but his expression said it all.


    Suddenly, there was a stir at the entrance. Someone in the crowd murmured, "Why


    is Seth here?"