In the end, she had built up her tolerance one drink at a time, gradually learning to remain poised and handle any situation withposure. Jennifer had a point. A low alcohol tolerance could indeed cause you to lose many opportunities.


    Back at Aurelion Group, she had certainly secured many projects by out-drinkingpetitors. But it had also taken a toll on her body.


    At that time, Aurelion Group''s subsidiary was in the critical period leading up to its IPO. Noreen hadn''t wanted to distract Seth, so she had shouldered the burden alone. That included the time she was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and had a miscarriage. She hadn''t even let Sophia notify Seth.


    Looking back now, she didn''t know how she had managed to get through it. But she was d she had.


    Noreen offered some friendly advice to Jennifer''s secretary. "Building up your tolerance takes time. You can''t rush it, or you''ll damage your stomach."


    The man nodded gratefully.


    Jennifer smiled beside them. "You''re lucky to run into someone as kind as Ms. Gilmore, who actually looks out for you. Others won''t be so considerate. In our line of work, whose stomach hasn''t been ruined by drinking?"


    Noreen could see that Jennifer was serious about grooming her new secretary. She gave Jennifer a knowing look, and Jennifer smiled back. Nothing more needed to be said.


    After the g ended and Noreen had seen off thest of her guests, Halley Joyner called her into a private room to discuss business. When Noreen entered, the others already there had solemn expressions. Even Wilbur had shed his usual carefree demeanor, looking serious and grim.


    "What''s wrong?" Noreen asked, puzzled. "What happened?"


    Halley''s voice was heavy. "There''s been a major development in Northcrest. A very important figure has been secretly detained for investigation."


    Marcus Selwyn added, "The wholendscape is about to change."


    Eason yton chuckled. "What''s there to be afraid of? When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up." He then nced at Wilbur. "You''re tall enough. You can handle it."


    Wilbur was speechless. He protested, "Why me?"


    "Who told you to get so close to that Bianca Lowell?" Eason huffed. "She was our junior sister''s enemy. The fact that Master didn''t expel you is a testament to his kindness."


    "But I got my revenge in the end, didn''t I? I even invited our junior sister to watch the show," Wilbur argued.


    "That''s only because I told you the woman was her rival," Eason retorted. "Otherwise, would you have passed up such a prime opportunity?"


    Wilbur cleared his throat. "Don''t hit below the belt. I''m just a bit of a flirt. All I want is to spread a little warmth to every beautiful woman in world. What''s so wrong with that?"


    Hisment earned him scornful looks from everyone in the room.


    Wilbur scratched his head. "It''s not what you think. I was just repaying a favor. I was young and dumb and owed someone big time. I''m not that desperate."


    Despite his exnation, the disdainful looks remained.


    Halley steered the conversation back on track, reminding them all to pay close attention to the developments up north. If the news was true, a major ''earthquake'' wasing.


    ...


    Sophia and the rest of the event team stayed behind to handle the cleanup. She made sure to tell Colby to get Noreen home safely.


    It was already eleven at night when Noreen and Colby went downstairs. A light rain had started falling at some point, not heavy, but it carried a biting chill that seeped into your bones.


    Noreen was only wearing a thin jacket, which offered little protection from the cold. Colby took off his own coat and draped it over her shoulders, telling her to wait by the entrance for a couple of minutes while he got the car.


    Just as Colby left, Noreen''s phone rang. She nced at the screen. To her surprise,


    it was Seth.