<b>Chapter </b><b>228 </b>


    “Thank you.”


    Bianca was standing by the door with Seth, chatting, when she nced over and caught sight of the scene unfolding nearby. She couldn’t help but frown.


    Wade always kept her at arm’s length, yet he was all warmth and generosity with Noreen.


    He even called her “Noreen” with that easy familiarity, introduced her to hiswork, and brought her along for major projects.


    To say Bianca wasn’t jealous would’ve been a lie.


    She turned to Seth and asked quietly, “Should we go over and say hello?”


    Seth shook his head. “Better not. My dad’s barely tolerating me these days–he wouldn’t bother putting on a pleasant face.” <fn1e5c> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find{n}ovel</fn1e5c>


    Bianca gave an awkwardugh. “Alright then.”


    After Noreen had seen all the senior partners off and made sure everyone was on their way, she pulled out her phone, ready to call Sophia and have her pick her up.


    Before she could dial, a cherry–red sedan pulled up in front of her.


    Padgett Novak stepped out from the backseat, holding the door open. “Miss Gilmore, where are you headed? Let me give you a ride.”


    “That’s really not necessary. I was just about to have my assistante get me.”


    “It’s no trouble at all. In fact, I have a few questions about InnoCore I’ve been hoping to ask you. If you don’t mind, Miss Gilmore, I’d appreciate the chance.”


    When it came to work, Noreen never turned down an opportunity.


    She slid into the car beside him.


    Padgett was true to his word–they dove right into business, discussing his idea of using InnoCore’s technology to build a new helpline tform.


    Noreen thought the n had real potential.


    Government contracts like this rarely turned a big profit, but they were fantastic for building a


    reputation.


    It was all about credibility.


    “Let’s find time to meet again soon and go over the details,” Padgett suggested.


    Noreen agreed.


    The next morning, Noreen was due at Ascendancy Group to coordinate on a project involvingputing chips.


    Ascendancy Group was a subsidiary of Aurelion Group, responsible for its most critical ventures.


    13:01


    During her seven years working alongside Seth, Noreen’s knowledge of Ascendancy Group was only superficial.


    Seth had always kept a tight grip on everything rted to Ascendancy–never delegating, never letting anyone else have a hand.


    Before heading over, Noreen had reached out to Vincent, the group’s director, to confirm the meeting.


    He was waiting at the entrance when she arrived.


    They knew each other well; Vincent used to report to Seth at Aurelion every week, and it was always Noreen who received him.


    So when he saw her, Vincent couldn’t help but exim, “I knew you wouldn’t stay a secretary forever, Miss Gilmore!”


    He grinned, then added, “You really are one of Mr. Harcourt’s protégés–this InnoCore project is outstanding!”


    “You’re too kind, Vincent.”


    He led her to a client meeting room.


    Noreen assumed they’d get right down to business, but instead Vincent said, “Director Lowell should be here any minute. Shall we wait? Hope you don’t mind, Ms. Gilmore.”


    Noreen hesitated. “I thought you’d be leading the discussion?”


    Vincent shook his head. “That was Mr. Harcourt’s decision–he calledst night to make the arrangements.”


    Last night?


    Must have been Bianca’s influence.


    Truthfully, Noreen was surprised.


    Ascendancy had always been Seth’s crown jewel, his most closely guarded project.


    For years, he’d handled every detail personally.


    Now, he was handing it off to Bianca without hesitation.


    Clearly, he saw her as his most trusted ally.


    That kind of trust didn’te from affection alone.


    Plenty of married couples still kept secrets from each other.


    But Seth gave Bianca hisplete faith–and support.


    They were operating as true partners now.


    The contract had been signed long ago, so even if Noreen would have preferred to keep her distance from Bianca, professionalism demanded she set her personal feelings aside.


    Unfortunately, Bianca didn’t extend her the same courtesy.


    13:01


    Vincent assured her Bianca would arrive any minute.


    But minute after minute ticked by.


    An hour passed before Bianca finally sauntered in,te.


    She apologized to Vincent with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I slept horriblyst night and ended up oversleeping this morning.”


    There was a lot left unsaid in that one simple excuse.