Chapter <b>230 </b>


    Lillian’s eyes lit up. “Great!”


    “And dress nicely this time–don’t embarrass me,” her cousin teased.


    “Yeah, yeah, I know!”


    Bianca had made a dinner reservation at Luna Eclipse Dining–the same restaurant where Jude was a partner.


    Jude was already there when they arrived. The group sat and waited for a while, but Healy never showed up.


    “Jude, call him and see what’s going on,” Bianca urged.


    After a quick call, Jude ryed the message. “He got caught up with some urgent work. He can’t make it. He said we should go ahead and not wait for him.”


    “Why can’t he evere?” Lillian’s excitement deted instantly. She’d been looking forward to seeing Healy, and now her disappointment was written all over her face.


    Bianca tried tofort her. “It’s okay, we’ll reschedule.”


    Lillian wanted to say they’d already tried to meet several times, and every time something came up. Who knew when the next opportunity would be?


    After dinner, as they stepped outside, they immediately spotted Noreen and Healy sitting together at a table by the window.


    The two looked like they were on a date–talking,ughing,pletely absorbed in each other.


    Bianca stopped in her tracks.


    So this was the “urgent work” he needed to handle?


    He’d ditched them for Noreen?


    Bianca’s expression darkened.


    Lillian was furious.


    Healy was the man she’d had her eye on, and Noreen’s actions felt like a deliberate provocation–like she was swooping in to steal him.


    “Cousin-”


    “Don’t start. Let’s go,” Bianca said, steady and collectedpared to Lillian.


    She might not think much of Noreen, but with both Healy and Jude there, she didn’t want to make a scene. So she dragged Lillian away before things could escte.


    In truth, Healy was only there to discuss work with Noreen.


    InnoCore needed new data, and Healy hade over to deliver it in person.


    Since their meeting happened to fall around dinner time, the two decided to eat while they talked.


    13:01


    Chapter 230 <fnc2ca> Checktest chapters at Find?Novel</fnc2ca>


    Healy had booked the table himself, choosing Luna Eclipse Dining to show some support for Jude’s business.


    Once dinner was over, they went their separate ways.


    Jude, however, made a point to walk over and say hi to Healy.


    “Noreen’s so different with you than she is with me! It’s like night and day,” Judeined, still frustrated that he hadn’t even gotten a chance to discuss a business deal with her.


    “Come on, help me out, will you?”


    If he didn’t make this work, he was sure his father would ship him off overseas.


    Healy shut him down right away. “If I help you, I might end up cklisted too. You only have yourself to me for your bad reputation.”


    Jude cringed, remembering how smug he’d been in the past. The regret now was almost unbearable.


    Tomorrow was his father’s final deadline. Jude stared up at the ceiling, already picturing the miserable life awaiting him abroad.


    Still, the next day he dragged himself over to Winrich.


    He didn’t have much hope left. His whole demeanor was sluggish, almost resigned.


    He’d been there so oftentely that the receptionist recognized him. Every time she saw him, she’d recite the same line: “Ms. Gilmore isn’t avable.”


    This time, as she opened her mouth to speak, Jude cut her off, mimicking her tone, “Ms. Gilmore isn’t avable, right? Fine, I’ll see myself out.”


    The receptionist blinked, then said, “Actually, Ms. Gilmore asked you to go in.”


    Jude nearly tripped over his own feet. “What did you say?”


    “Ms. Gilmore wants to see you<i>,” </i>she repeated.


    Jude was so excited he could hardly contain himself. His persistence had finally paid off–he was going to see Noreen atst!


    Before he even reached her office, he was already sending a voice message to his dad: “Cancel my flight! I got in! I’m about to talk business with Noreen!”


    He knocked on Noreen’s door and waited for her to call him in before entering.


    For the first time, he addressed her with a kind of nervous formality: “Ms. Gilmore.”


    He felt like a student summoned to the principal’s office.


    Noreen didn’t even look up, her attention fixed on herputer. She just pointed to a stack of papers on the desk. “Those are for you.”


    For me? What was this–contracts?


    She had everything ready already?


    He wasn’t mentally prepared for this at all!