The event was a charity g hosted by the foundation Mrs. Joyner had established when she was alive.


    This year, it was sponsored by Centribo.


    Whether as Mrs. Joyner''s most trusted confidante or as the current head of Centribo, Noreen had to attend.


    "Workaholic," ire teased over the phone.


    "I bring home the bacon, you just have to look good. What''s not to like?"


    ireughed. "I definitely like that."


    "And you? How are you doing?" Noreen asked.


    "I''m great!"


    To prove it, she let out a happy shriek. "You have no idea how healing Palm Breeze Ind is! I even learned how to sea fish! It''s so much fun! I caught a bluefin tuna the other day! Impressive, right?"


    Noreen could feel her good mood through the phone. "That''s my girl! I''ll have to see it for myself sometime!"


    "Definitely!" ire promised, patting her chest.


    Then she added with a sigh, "Noreen, I''m so d I have you."


    "You saved me, and Palm Breeze Ind saved me. I feel like the world is a wonderful ce now. Anyone or anything that makes me unhappy can just get lost!"


    "Palm Breeze Ind didn''t save you. You just finally gave yourself a break there."


    It was the same advice Noreen had once given herself.


    Sometimes, you don''t have to win. You just have to walk away.


    "You''re right. There are consequences to loving someone more than you love yourself."


    ire had finally found her peace. "I''ve already contacted Coley," she told Noreen. "I''ve hired him to handle the divorce with Felix."


    A rtionship was like a game of cards.


    Felix held the jokers, thinking he controlled the whole game.


    But he seemed to have forgotten one thing.


    She could just flip the table and refuse to y.


    To hell with love.


    To hell with men.


    Noreen wasn''t close with Coley, but she had heard of him. Entrusting the divorce to him would likely lead to a good oue.


    "I''m d you''ve thought it through," Noreen said, happy for ire''s new beginning. "If you get tired of Palm Breeze Ind, you can ask Wilburto rmend some other fun ces. He''s got a reputation for knowing all the best spots."


    He was a connoisseur of the good life, after all.


    "Maybe next time," ire said. "I''lle to Harborview City to see you. I can be your plus one for the charity g on Friday. I cant just bea freeloader forever, right?"


    She wasn''t good at business, but she could definitely handle a social event.


    "Deal."


    Noreen''s mood lifted considerably after her call with ire.


    It had started to rain outside, a light, steady drizzle.


    In the twilight, it gave the city a sense of cleansing purity.


    Noreen leaned against the window, watching for a little while longer.


    The car quietly pulled up to the Joyner estate.


    The driver muttered in the local Harborview City dialect, "Why is this guy still here?"


    Having


    Noreen in the city for a while,


    Noreen''s ear for the local ept had


    Improved and she understoo


    him:


    Her brow twitched, and she quickly looked ahead.


    Through the misty rain, Seth was still standing by his car.


    Jude was next to him, holding an umbre.


    Though the rain was light, both of their shoulders were soaked.


    It was clear they had been standing there for a long time.


    Four hours had passed since she''d left him at noon.


    What on earth was this man trying to do?


    She had said everything that needed to be said and had deliberately ignored him.


    But he just stood there. What was the point?


    Even the driver nced at her curiously a few times.


    "Stop the car," Noreen finally said.


    The driver pulled to a stop right in front of Seth.


    Noreen lowered the window, her gaze meeting Seth''s through the fine mist.


    Seth looked back at her, his eyes unwavering.