What on earth was he so busy with?


    Could he be busy trying to bail out Bianca Lowell and her mother?


    Noreen was frustrated, frustrated on Wade''s behalf.


    But as an outsider, there was nothing she could do besides feel angry for Wade.


    The next morning, Noreen had just arrived at the office when she received a call from Halley Joyner.


    He had some shocking news for her.


    Seth had been arrested.


    Noreen was drinking water at that moment. When she heard the news, her hand slipped.


    The cup crashed to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.


    She scrambled to clean up the mess but ended up cutting her finger on a shard of ss.


    Dark red blood welled up instantly.


    Halley, on the other end of the line, was unaware of themotion and continued speaking.


    "He''s been in custody for several days, under investigation. It''s rted to that high- ranking official in the secret corruption probe. They''re saying it''s a very serious bribery charge with major implications. He could be facing the death penalty or a suspended death sentence!"


    Noreen stared nkly at her fingertip, a lump of cotton stuck in her throat.


    It was a dull, heavy feeling she couldn''t quite describe.


    "While such a sentence is extremely rare in practice, it''s not unheard of. The main issue is that Seth has given up his right to appeal and hasn''t even hired awyer. His attitude is extremely passive, and he''s refusing all visitors. If I didn''t have a friend working on this case, the news would probably still be under wraps."


    Halley was calling to see if Winrich or Aether Entertainment had any connections to


    the businesses Seth controlled, worried she might be affected.


    Winrich and Aether Entertainment had just gone public. They were gaining momentum and attracting a lot of attention.


    If they were dragged into this now, it could be fatal for thepanies.


    Noreen paused for a moment before replying, "No."


    "No connection whatsoever."


    Halley breathed a sigh of relief. "That''s good."


    Yes, Noreen should have felt the same way.


    After she and Seth had gone their separate ways, she had been driven by a fierce determination.


    She had


    used any investment


    from the Harcourt family or Sethet resource exchange/dine!?! avoided any cross-shareh et


    They had even beenpetitors on projects, with no ovep whatsoever.


    The only time their paths crossed was the coboration between InnoCore and Ascendancy Group.


    But when


    terme Cendancy Group ran into trouble, Noreen had swiftly


    terminated all further cooperation  shovels


    As a result, she and Seth had be two parallel lines.


    This oue was what she had always wanted.


    So she should have been grateful.


    Not long after the call, Noreen had Sophia Cole cancel her afternoon appointments.


    Even though they were important.


    She went to the hospital to see Wade again.


    On the way, she made a special detour to buy Wade''s favorite pastries.


    Wade was surprised to see her again today.


    After all, he was just there for his bimonthly routine check-up.


    And those pastries required queuing up well in advance to buy.


    Noreen didn''t mention Seth.


    Wade and Evelyn didn''t mention him either.


    But they rarely brought him up in front of her anyway, likely worried it would make her ufortable. Gontent


    Noreen didn''t dare stay too long, afraid Wade might be suspicious.


    But her heart grew heavier and heavier, like the sky outside, shrouded in oppressive dark clouds.


    She stood at the hospital entrance for a while, trying to clear her thoughts.


    And for some reason, she remembered what Seth had said to her before.