<b>Chapter </b><b>258 </b>
So rude.
Honestly, who says something so disgusting while people are eating?
That killed her appetite.
Noreen excused herself from the table, stepped outside for some air, and called Sophia to ask if she coulde pick her upter.
When she returned, she ran straight into Bianca.
Or rather, Bianca had clearly been waiting for her on purpose.
Their eyes met, and Noreen instantly understood Bianca’s intentions.
She stopped walking, choosing to stand her ground and face her.
Bianca arched an eyebrow. “I hear Winrich is nning to bid on the Port Redevelopment Project?”
“That’s right. Why?” Noreen replied, making no effort to deny it.
A smirk yed at the corner of Bianca’s mouth as she sized Noreen up, her gaze dripping with contempt. “You really don’t know your limits. I thought after seven years at Seth’s side, you would’ve picked up a thing or two. I actually considered you a worthy rival, but it turns out I gave you too much credit.”
“You’re nothing special, after all.”
She was arrogant–because she had someone backing her, she could afford to be.
Noreen didn’t let it get to her; she smiled right back. “You seem awfully invested in this. Why’s that?”
Bianca’s expression hardened. After a beat, she said, “Noreen, you’re never going to beat me. Seth will always choose me, no matter what you’ve done these past seven years. All your efforts mean nothing to him.”
“As for me, even if I do nothing at all, he’ll still pick me–without hesitation.”
When Bianca left, Noreen’s smile slowly faded.
Bianca had hit her where it hurt.
But it wasn’t Seth’s disregard that stung.
It was mourning for the woman she used to be–the one who had fought so hard for love.
Only she knew how much she wanted to win this time.
In the private dining room next door, Henry Brooke had invited Padgett Novak out for a meal.
It had been a while since the two had caught up.
Padgett nced at the menu and grinned. “Didn’t you always say you couldn’t stand this ce’s
<i>1/2 </i>
<b>15:06 </b>
food? What brings you back?”
Henry shrugged. “I’m not here for the food.”
Padgett chuckled. “Then what are you here for?”
Henry was ten years his junior, a kid he’d practically watched grow up. Both came from old families, though the Brookes had left public service for business long ago, moving out of the old
neighborhood.
In hindsight, the Brookes had made the right call.
Henry’s father was a shrewd businessman, amassing a family fortune in just fifteen years.
Padgett, on the other hand, had followed his family’s n into politics.
Their paths had diverged, but the friendship remained.
So, when Henry came to Rivercrest City, the first thing he did was call Padgett and ask him out for dinner.
Seeing Padgett’s curiosity, Henry answered unhurriedly, “I’m here for someone I like.”
“Someone you like? In Rivercrest City?<i>” </i>Padgett’s interest was piqued. “What’s her name? Do I know her?”
Before Henry could answer, his phone buzzed. He looked down at the message, a smile spreading across his face. “I’ll introduce you sometime. I have to go–you take your time with dinner.”
After Henry left, Padgett stood up as well. As he stepped out of the dining room, he spotted a familiar figure.
Without thinking, he strode quickly toward Noreen. <fn18f5> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find_Novel(.</fn18f5>
She had just finished seeing a few senior colleagues off and was about to call Sophia to check how close she was.
Outside, it had started to drizzle.
To make it easier for Sophia to spot her, Noreen stepped a little closer to the curb.
A sudden gust sent the rain sideways, soaking her through.
She stood there, a bit stunned.
“Careful,<i>” </i>Padgett said, catching up just as she got drenched. He quickly shrugged off his own jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
At that moment, Seth and Bianca were leaving the restaurant together.
Seth’s gazended on the oversized men’s jacket now wrapped around Noreen, lingering there for several seconds.