<b>Chapter </b><b>222 </b>


    Rosalind said she’d already gone for her follow–up at the hospitalst week and was just waiting for the results.


    Noreen paused, surprised. “You went by yourself?”


    “No, Seth came with me.”


    Noreen’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t make sense of what was going on with Sethtely. She’d told him time and time again to stop bothering her mother.


    She realized she couldn’t keep things from Rosalind much longer. Maybe it was time to tell her mother the truth–that she and Seth had broken up.


    “Mom, actually, Seth and I already-”


    Just then, Carman called out, “Noreen, we need to board!”


    Never mind. This wasn’t something she could exin in a few sentences over the phone. Besides, she was about to board her flight. If she started and couldn’t finish, she’d just end up making her mom even more anxious.


    Christmas was just around the corner. She’d tell her the whole story then.


    “It’s nothing, Mom. I have to board now, so I’ll talk to youter. Take care of yourself,” Noreen said, hurrying off the call.


    She and Carman were heading to Northcrest on a business trip to sign a contract with Eastvale Corporation.


    The signing went off without a hitch.


    Mr. Naylor was full of praise for Noreen. “I knew you were different from the rest, ever since I first met you at the Aurelion Group’s celebration dinner.”


    Noreen only remembered that now. She really had Seth to thank for making such a good impression on Mr. Naylor. If it hadn’t been for him, there was no way someone like her–with no connections and only a small seven–figure project under her belt–would have gotten the chance to negotiate with Eastvale Corporation.


    On the return trip, Carman asked if she had any ns for the holidays.


    “I’ll be at home with my mom,” she replied. That was her only n for the Christmas break.


    “Mina said she wanted to hang out with you.”


    “Of course!” Noreen grinned. “You’re both wee toe by anytime.”


    Carman tried to keep his excitement in check, acting cool on the outside. The truth was, Mina had never said any such thing. He just wanted to see Noreen himself.


    Christmas was the biggest holiday of the year.


    Noreen woke up early, determined to help Rosalind out around the house. But the more she tried to help, the more she got in the way–until Rosalind finally kicked her out of the kitchen.


    13:00 <fnb5df> Fresh chapters posted on ?ovelFind</fnb5df>


    Really, she had no talent for cooking. As a kid, Rosalind used to sigh, “What are you going to do when you get married if you can’t even cook a meal?”


    Noreen would just shrug it off. “Simple–I’ll find a man who can cook for me.”


    Somewhere along the line, she’d forgotten her own criteria for picking a partner. Now, she realized–she didn’t need a man at all. Men only slowed her down when it came to making money.


    “Mom, there’s actually something I want to talk to you about,” Noreen said, leaning against the kitchen doorway, munching on an apple while Rosalind was busy stirring a pot of soup.


    “Go on, I’m listening,” Rosalind replied, not taking her eyes off the stove.


    “It’s about me and Seth-”


    She didn’t even get the words out before a loud knock sounded at the door.


    Noreen went to answer it.


    “Noreen! Happy New Year!” Mina burst in, arms loaded with gifts and treats.


    Carman followed, also carrying bags brimming with holiday goodies.


    “Happy New Year!” Noreenughed, ushering them inside. “You two are here early–already had Christmas dinner?”


    Mina grinned. “me my brother–he kept insisting we eat early, so our family dinner was practically at lunchtime this year!”


    Noreen raised an eyebrow. “Why the rush?”


    Mina opened her mouth, but Carman quickly covered it with his hand. “Don’t listen to her. That’s just the way our family does it.”


    Mina shot her brother a re, silently using him of putting his own interests ahead of hers.