"So, you two..."


    Noreen knew what Jennifer was about to ask and cut her off. "I haven''t seen him in years."


    The implication was clear: they were ancient history.


    Jennifer gave a slight, awkward smile and sighed. "You know, life really is like a y sometimes. Mr. Harcourt helped you so much back then, I really thought you two would end up together."


    Noreen let out a self-deprecatingugh. "Jennifer, you might have it wrong. It would''ve been nice if he''d just stayed out of my way. How could he have possibly helped me?"


    Back then, he had stolen countless resources and connections from her just to protect Bianca. She remembered clearly who had offered her a hand and who had dealt her a blow.


    “I don''t know about the other stuff,” Jennifer said quickly, “but I know I probably wouldn''t have invested in your project if Mr. Harcourt hadn''t personally guaranteed it."


    This time, it was Noreen''s turn to be stunned.


    Seth..... guaranteed it?


    How did she not know?


    Jennifer looked a little sheepish. "Don''t think I''m just a ruthless businesswoman, but given your situation at the time, very few people would have dared to invest that much money in you. That''s why I turned you down when you came to see me in Silvershore City."


    Noreen remembered that day. She knew she hadn''t been fully prepared, but she''d been so desperate for funding that she had rushed to Silvershore City to meet with Jennifer, only to be rejected.


    She had been devastated, thinking The Docks project was dead in the water.


    But then, the next morning, as she was preparing to return to Rivercrest City, Jennifer had shown up at her hotel. She''d said she''d thought about it all night and had decided to invest in the project after all.


    That money had been a lifeline for Noreen. It ultimately helped her secure the Port Redevelopment Project. She had been deeply grateful to Jennifer ever since.


    But now, Jennifer was telling her that the investment had only happened because Seth had guaranteed it.


    "Seth came to me and offered to be your guarantor," Jennifer exined. "He promised that if the project failed or the investment was a loss, he wouldpensate me for double my losses. He even signed a contract with me to put my mind at ease."


    As if sensing Noreen''s disbelief, Jennifer had her secretary send over a copy of the agreement she had signed with Seth.


    Seeing the document, Noreen felt


    the world shift beneath her feet. It was hard to describe the feeling. So many of her perceptions were being shattered, one after another. Her v understanding of Seth felt even more iplete. Or perhaps, she had never understood him at all.


    "As someone who''s been around the block, I can tell you," Jennifer said, "Mr. Harcourt definitely cared about you back then."


    "Did he?" Noreen scoffed, the soundced with irony. "But he was about to get engaged to Bianca at the time."


    Jennifer fell silent. The truth, it seemed, was something only Seth himself knew.


    After seeing Jennifer off, Noreen didn''t go back to the office. She had Colby drive her to Soutke to feel the breeze.


    She needed some time and space to sort through the chaos in her mind.


    When Jude drove Seth to Soutke, he found that Seth''s usual spot was already upied.


    Recognizing the person, Jude nced back at his boss. "Seth..."


    "Let''s go back."


    "But you''ve already run into her. Aren''t you going to say hello?" Jude was surprised. He thought Seth


    would be pleased by this chanc


    encounter. After all, he''d gone fo


    great lengths to create opportunities before. Why was he avoiding her now, after that night?


    Jude couldn''t figure it out.


    Seth shook his head, his voice thin. "No. She''s doing well now. I shouldn''t disturb


    her."