<b>Chapter </b><b>233 </b>


    After Seth left, Sophia couldn’t resist gossiping with Noreen. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Mr. Harcourt get put in his ce. Honestly, it was just too satisfying!”


    Back in the day, Sophia had been on the receiving end of Seth’s tough side more than once. So watching Noreen handle him with such ease left her feeling utterly refreshed.


    Her delight quickly turned to curiosity. “Do you really think Mr. Harcourt will do as he’s told and wait <b>a </b>whole week beforeing back?”


    “He won’t,” Noreen replied, eyes still focused on the documents in her hand.


    Sophia leaned in, intrigued. “How can you be so sure?”


    “I’ve known him for seven years. I know exactly what kind of man he is.”


    Sophia nodded in agreement. “Fair enough.”


    Just as Noreen had predicted, Seth showed up again that very afternoon.


    She’d already set up a meeting with Hugh Summers from NaviTech forter that day. But when Hugh suddenly changed the meeting location at thest minute, Noreen immediately sensed something


    was up.


    Sure enough, when she arrived in the private lounge at the club Hugh had picked, Seth was already <fn16f5> Find the newest release on find?novel</fn16f5>


    there.


    Hugh greeted her with a friendly grin. “I had a few things to discuss with Mr. Harcourt too, and since you two already know each other, I thought we’d all meet together. Hope that’s all right with you, Ms. Gilmore?”


    Moments like this, even if she minded, Noreen knew better than to say so. “Of course,” she replied smoothly.


    Seth had chosen the perfect mediator in Hugh Summers. Hugh was a natural negotiator, breaking down the pros and cons for Noreen in just a few sentences.


    Truth was, Noreen had never really intended to fall out with Aurelion Group for good. Ascendancy Group’s influence spoke for itself. If she couldn’t work with them, she’d have to start searching all over again for a techpany to provide chip support. All that running in circles would only waste precious time.


    In business, sometimes you had to grow quietly and bide your time–a golden rule Seth himself had once taught her, and one Noreen had never forgotten.


    So, she listened to Hugh’s argument, thenid out her own terms:


    A public apology from SkyMind’s project lead.


    Compensation for InnoCore’s R&D losses.


    SkyMind’s withdrawal from the market.


    With each demand, Hugh sucked in a sharp breath, as if the air had gotten colder in the room.


    <b>13:02 </b>


    Seth, meanwhile, was remarkably calm. He waited patiently until Noreen finished, then asked, “Anything else?”


    “For now, that’s all I can think of,” she said. “I reserve the right to add moreter.”


    At that, Seth actuallyughed–though whether it was out of amusement or exasperation, she couldn’t tell. In the end, all he said was that he’d discuss things with the team before giving her an


    answer.


    The dinner wasn’t even over when Seth’s phone began to ring. He’d left it face up on the table, so when it lit up, both Noreen and Hugh nced at it instinctively.


    The caller was Bianca.


    Hugh chuckled knowingly. “Still in the honeymoon phase, you two? Back when my wife and I were first together, she’d call every time I went out for drinks, always urging me toe home. Now<i>? </i>I could stay out till sunrise and she wouldn’t even text.”


    There was a trace of envy in Hugh’s tone as he finished. “Those early days are really something–so passionate and romantic.”


    Seth just smiled and let the teasing roll off him. Turning his head, he covered the lower half of his face with his hand and spoke into the phone, his voice noticeably softer than before.


    “I’m almost done here.”


    “It’s raining? No worries, Zachary’sing to pick me up.”


    “Oh, really? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”


    After he hung up, Seth turned to Hugh. “She’s waiting for me outside. We’re pretty much wrapped up here anyway. Shall we call it a night?”


    “Wouldn’t want to keep ady waiting<i>,” </i>Hugh replied with an air of old–fashioned chivalry. “What do you think, Ms. Gilmore?”


    Noreen gave a faint smile. “As long as Mr. Harcourt is satisfied, it works for me.”


    Seth’s lips curled, his eyes deep and unreadable.


    Hugh, oblivious to the silent undercurrents between them, kept up his good–natured teasing. “Mr. Harcourt clearly can’t bear to keep his special someone waiting. Isn’t that right?”