“Let me take a look,”


    The stylist hadn’t lied–none of the remaining jewelry really caught her eye.


    In the end, Noreen couldn’t decide on anything and gave up.


    With time to spare before the event, Noreen decided to swing by the Harcourt estate to pick up Wade.


    Evelyn’s face lit up when she saw her. “Noreen, you look absolutely stunning today.”


    “Thank you, Evelyn. That’s very kind of you.”


    Beingplimented never failed to lift her spirits.


    “Mr. Harcourt should be ready soon. I’ll go let him know you’re here.”


    Noreen waited in the sitting room for about five minutes before Wade appeared, leaning on his cane. Evelyn followed close behind, holding a box in her hands.


    Once Wade came over, he gave Evelyn a subtle nod.


    Evelyn carefully opened the box, revealing an exquisite set of sapphire jewelry–immediately striking in its rarity and obvious value.


    Evelyn smiled. “This is a gift from Mr. Harcourt. It’ll go beautifully with your dress tonight. Let me help you put it on.”


    Noreen shook her head quickly. “I can’t ept something so valuable!”


    “It was meant for you anyway,” Wade interjected, his voice calm but steady. “It belonged to myte wife. It’s been sitting here for years–a waste, really. Pieces like these deserve to be worn, not locked away.”


    Still, Noreen hesitated. The jewelry was just too extravagant—a lesson Rosalind had drilled into her since childhood: never ept expensive gifts lightly, especially not from others.


    Wade’s expression turned cold, his tone hardening. “If you refuse, then don’te see me again. And you can forget about the g tonight.”


    “Mr. Harcourt-”


    “Don’t call me Mr. Harcourt, either.”


    Noreen fell silent.


    Evelyn leaned over and whispered, “Just take it. It’s really okay.”


    They needed to get to the g soon, and Noreen knew she’d feel guilty if she held everyone up over


    this.


    Reluctantly, she agreed, “Alright, I’ll ept it for now.”


    “There we go! Let me help you put it on,” Evelyn said, beaming as she fastened the jewelry around Noreen’s neck.


    <b>14:21 </b>


    Wade’s stern demeanor softened noticeably.


    The deep blue of the sapphires paired perfectly with Noreen’s ck evening gown, making the gemstones‘ beauty all the more striking.


    Evelyn couldn’t stop admiring her. “You look absolutely gorgeous!”


    Even Wade offered a rarepliment. “Very nice.”


    Noreen smiled, relieved. “As long as you’re not upset, Mr. Harcourt, can we head to the g now<i>?</i><b>” </b>


    Wade’s tone lightened. “Let’s go.”


    By the time they arrived, the venue was already filling up.


    As soon as Wade made his entrance, people flocked over to greet him–everyone polite and eager for a moment of his attention.


    Tonight, he was unusually approachable, responding warmly to each greeting and taking the opportunity to introduce Noreen.


    “Winrich Capital. Ms. Gilmore.”


    Thanks to her sess with InnoCore, the name was familiar to most guests–though they hadn’t expected someone so young.


    Some couldn’t help but wonder about her rtionship with Wade.


    A friend approached <i>and</i>, in a casual tone, asked Wade, “Mr. Harcourt, why isn’t your son here tonight?”


    Wade responded with a cool, dismissive, “I wouldn’t know.”


    He never liked discussing his only son, Seth, in public. The two had never attended an event together, and word around town was their rtionship was strained. <fn349c> The source of th?s content is FιndNovel</fn349c>


    Judging by Wade’s answer, the rumors were probably true.


    Someone else, better informed, chimed in, “He’s away on business–couldn’t make it. I just ran into his girlfriend earlier.”


    “Which one is Mr. Harcourt’s girlfriend?” the first person asked, ncing over at Noreen, curiosity evident in his gaze. After all, Noreen was young, beautiful, and standing right beside Wade.