If even Wade couldn''t persuade him, then she certainly had no standing or credibility to do so.
When Noreen left the Harcourt residence, it was snowing again, heavier thanst time.
She only stood for a moment, but a thinyer of snow had already umted on her head and shoulders, and the tip of her nose was slowly turning red from the cold.
The weather forecast had predicted a harsh winter this year.
It seemed to be true.
A week before the New Year, Noreen was back at the office, working overtime.
In their group chat, Wilbur tagged everyone and asked if they wanted to go skiing in Switzend for the holidays.
Noreen said she couldn''t, as she had to stay with her mother and alsoplete the coursework Halley had assigned her.
Eason yton said he had to go home for arranged dates.
Marcus Selwyn, the devoted husband, was naturally spending the time with his wife.
Henry Brooke was thest to reply, saying he was busy and couldn''t make it.
Wilbur shot back, "What could you possibly be busy with?"
Thement wasn''t particrly malicious, but it was certainly insulting.
Whether from anger or something else, Henry didn''t reply.
Finally, Wilbur announced dejectedly, "If none of you are going, then I won''t either. I''ll just go to Rivercrest City and hang out with Noreen."
"I don''t have time to hang out with you," Noreen said.
It wasn''t that she was being rude; she was genuinely drowning in work.
Juggling family, career, and studies, she was working around the clock, with sleep measured in seconds. Where would she find the time to entertain him?
But Wilbur replied, "It''s fine. I''m alsoing for the wedding of the Omniva Bank president."
Noreen paused.
Dn Wilder was getting married?
So soon?
He had just gotten engaged a month ago.
Just as Noreen finished her morning meeting, Sophia knocked on the door to announce a visitor.
It was Crystal Chelsea.
Noreen told Sophia to let her in.
Crystal looked every bit the pampered heiress, with a taste for expensive fashion.
She was also incredibly warm, greeting Noreen with an enthusiastic hug the moment she walked in.
Noreen was still a bit taken aback by her forwardness.
"Aren''t you surprised?" Crystal asked with a beaming smile.
Out of politeness, Noreen nodded. "I am."
"Dn was supposed toe with me today, but he had ast-minute meeting he couldn''t get out of, so I came by myself."
She took Noreen''s hand and chatted
nonstop. "Actually, I''ve wanted to see you again ever since that party butve been so busy with wedding preparations that I just couldnt find the time. You''re not mad at you?"
"Why would I be?"
me, are
Noreen didn''t quite understand the girl''s logic.
They had only met once; their rtionship hadn''t reached that level of familiarity.
But Crystal said, "I''m d you''re not mad."
Then she showed off her wedding ring to Noreen. "Isn''t my ring beautiful? Dn bought it for me. I think his taste is pretty good, so he picked out my wedding dress and - everything else."
"Even though it''s all very rushed, Dn is still trying to give me the best wedding possible."
At this, she seemed to feign
annoyanceining, "Actually, I
wanted to have fun for another
couple of years. I''m still young, after
all. But Dn is thirty and needs to
settle down sou guess I''l reluctantly marry him!"
Although her expression was one of bother, her tone was filled with undeniable happiness.
"Oh my," Crystal suddenly pped her forehead. "Look at me, I got so caught up in chatting that I forgot the real reason I''m here."
She took an invitation from her purse and handed it to Noreen with great solemnity.
"I came to give you our wedding invitation! I hope you''ll be able toe to my and Dn''s wedding."
Noreen epted it and said she would.
Crystal stayed for a little while longer before a call from Dn prompted her to say goodbye and leave.
Noreen looked at the invitation in her hand and smiled silently.
"That''s just too much! How dare shee and rub her happiness in your face!"
When ire Chase heard about it, she ranted on WhatsApp.