Noreen thought about it. "I''ve never been in one, so I don''t know if I''d mind."


    "Would you mind trying one with me?" Padgett asked, seizing the opportunity.


    It was a difficult question for Noreen to answer.


    Her entire understanding of rtionships came from Seth.


    They had gotten together because Seth had offered her a helping hand when she was at her lowest.


    In that moment, Seth had been like a ray of light entering her world.


    Her feelings grew naturally from gratitude to affection.


    But with Padgett, she felt like something was missing.


    It felt forced.


    Try it, and then what?


    If there was no connection, meeting again would just be awkward.


    With that in mind, a direct refusal seemed cleaner.


    "Thank you, but... I''m sorry."


    Her answer didn''t seem to surprise Padgett. He asked sincerely, "Can I ask why?"


    "I don''t want to hold you back."


    Noreen remembered what people had said at that first dinner.


    They mentioned that Padgett''s family was pressuring him to settle down.


    And given his age, if they started a rtionship, he would immediately be pushed toward marriage and children.


    The mere thought of it gave Noreen a headache.


    "I don''t mind," Padgett stated clearly. "I know what you mean. I was too hasty."


    After dinner, Padgett stood and watched as Noreen got into her car and drove away, a sense of mncholy settling over him.


    His father called, asking about the progress of his work transition.


    Padgett thought for a moment, then asked, "What if I don''t go to Northcrest?"


    The line went silent.


    Then, an eruption of fury. "Padgett Novak, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea what you''re saying?"


    Padgett had anticipated this reaction.


    In truth, he had been struggling with the decision ever since he learned of the transfer to Northcrest.


    But he hadn''t dared to voice his doubts, knowing he would be met with opposition.


    He was the one who chose this path, and his family had done everything in their power to help him.


    If he gave it all up for a rtionship, not only would he be disgraced within the Novak family, but the woman he loved would also face endless criticism and scrutiny.


    On the other end of the line, his father was still raging.


    "Is this because of that woman, Noreen? I''ve been meaning to talk to you about her. She may be


    impressive, but you need to understand the kind of


    daughter-inw the Novak family nceds If youswo viere to dielt


    together, she would have to give certain things up."


    "Mixing politics and business often leads toplicated social ties and potential risks. It would be detrimental to you and directly affect your career What''s more storm is brewing in Northcrest. You need to get back here immediately and stabilize the situation."


    "Do you want to see generations of our family''s hard work go up in mes?"


    His father was truly enraged. After the tirade, he hung up.


    Padgett listened to the dial tone and sighed softly.


    He had no choice.


    On the day Padgett returned to Northcrest, Noreen received news that Seth had


    also been transferred to Northcrest for investigation.


    This meant there was a new development in the case of the high-ranking official who was under disciplinary review.


    Coincidentally, Wilbur was in Rivercrest City for Dn''s wedding and filled Noreen in on the situation there.


    "It''s tooplicated over there to exin in a few words. It''s not just a major corruption case; there''s also factional infighting involved."


    "In short, anyone caught up in this storm is not going to have a good oue."