Chapter <b>236 </b>


    Padgett Novak leaned in, a note of concern in his voice.


    “Everything all right?”


    Noreen jumped in quickly, “Oh, nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering–when are you opening bids for the Port Redevelopment Project?”


    Padgett grinned. “Are you interested?”


    Noreen answered honestly, “If there’s money to be made, you can bet I’m interested.” <fn112d> For more chapters visit fin?novel</fn112d>


    He looked at her, clear admiration flickering in his eyes. After a sip of his lemon water, he set the ss down and, quite seriously, asked, “Forgive me for being forward, but… Miss Gilmore, do you have a boyfriend?”


    The sudden shift almost caught Noreen off guard. “No, I’m single.”


    “What’s your type? Do you think I might qualify?”


    This was only their second time meeting. Noreen figured he was probably under family pressure to settle down, so she gave a polite but firm answer. “Honestly, I’m not looking to date right now. At this stage, I’m just focused on building my career.”


    Padgett took it in stride, his good humor undimmed. “I get it. Women these days want independence, equality, self–fulfillment–it’s great.”


    “But if you’ll allow me, I’d like to get my name on the waiting list.”


    Noreenughed, genuinely amused. “You’ve got a sense of humor, Director Novak.”


    Padgett’s gaze was steady. “I’m serious.”


    When dinner ended and they stepped outside, rain was falling. The weather had been dreary for days.


    Noreen realized her umbre was still in her car. Padgett hadn’t brought one either. He gave her a quick nod and ducked back inside to ask the staff if he could borrow an umbre.


    While he was gone, Bianca and Lillian Laurent emerged from the restaurant as well. Judging by Bianca’s wide smile, their dinner must have gone well–though her smile faded the moment she saw


    Noreen.


    Lillian’s expression darkened instantly as she spotted Noreen. “What’s she doing here?” she muttered.


    Lillian had never liked Noreen, especially after the mess with Healy Naylor. And Bianca had taken a lot of heattely, all thanks to Noreen’s actions, which only fueled Lillian’s resentment.


    She made to confront Noreen, but Bianca held her back. “Just ignore her.”


    “But-” Lillian protested, visibly annoyed.


    Bianca, however, remained calm. Ever since the SkyMind incident, Seth had never once med her.


    13:02


    He’d supported her unwaveringly, more than she’d ever expected, and she felt reassured.


    Seeing Noreen again, Bianca was no longer so rattled. In fact, she could even manage to soothe Lillian. “Let’s go. Seth’s car is here.”


    Lillian scowled, swallowing her words, but as they passed Noreen, she couldn’t resist raising her voice, pride dripping from every syble.


    “Cousin, your fiancé really dotes on you, doesn’t he? Not only does he have you running part of Ascendancy Group, now he’s given you the Port Redevelopment Project–that’s a billion–dor deal! Some people go their whole lives without reaching that level.”


    Bianca’s phone rang, her face softening. “That’s Seth–he must be outside. Let’s go.”


    “He’s practically your personal chauffeur these days,” Lillian teased.


    Bianca smiled, “He just worries too much–hates the thought of me driving in this weather.”


    Noreen looked up at the drizzle. It was barely more than a mist. Not nearly enough to drown out the sound of barking dogs.


    Seth’s car pulled up quickly. Stepping out, he spotted Noreen by the entrance and, instead of heading straight for Bianca, walked over and handed her an umbre.