These days, being “the other woman” is like being a rat scurrying across Main Street–everyone’s ready to stomp you out.


    Lillian couldn’t stand to see Noreen riding high, which is exactly why she made a public spectacle of calling her out in front of the press. She wanted Noreen to be everyone’s favorite target, to be the scapegoat for all their outrage.


    Even if Noreen managed to win the project, Lillian was determined to take a bite out of her reputation.


    That was her goal all along.


    People love gossip–reporters most of all.


    As soon as the story broke, microphones were thrust into Noreen’s face <i>from </i>every direction. Was she a homewrecker? Had she stolen another woman’s man?


    Carman quickly stepped forward, trying to shield Noreen and angrily ready to defend her.


    But Noreen caught his hand, holding him back.


    When he looked at her, she shook her head–a silent signal not to act rashly.


    Instead, she stepped forward herself, facing everyone, all the cameras, and the room full of hungry journalists.


    A hush fell over the crowd. Every eye was fixed on her, waiting for her response.


    Faced with Lillian’s humiliation and taunts, Noreen didn’t so much as nce her way. She let out a soft, dismissiveugh. “Stealing someone’s man?”


    She arched an eyebrow, her tone light and unconcerned. “Why bother stealing a man when you can take his job?”


    The meaning was clear to everyone in the room.


    After all, Noreen had just snatched the port redevelopment contract right out from under Aurelion Group–she’d taken Seth’s bread and butter, not just his affection.


    Bianca and Seth saw the whole thing unfold.


    Bianca, who’d just suffered yet another defeat at Noreen’s hands, went pale at those words. Her hand, hanging by her side, curled into a trembling fist.


    All she wanted in that moment was to disappear. She instinctively looked to Seth, hoping he would shelter her from the storm, just like he had before–hoping he’d whisk her away from all this.


    “Seth, I want <i>to </i>go home,” she whispered.


    For the first time, he didn’t respond.


    He stood right beside her, but his eyes were fixed on Noreen across the room.


    Seconds stretched into a silence that felt endless.


    No matter how many times Bianca called his name, he didn’t so much as flinch.


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    Lillian’s rabid attacks didn’t put a dent in Noreen’s good mood.


    She’d justnded the biggest deal of her career–if that wasn’t cause for celebration, what was?


    That night, she took Winrich, Carman, and the whole studio crew out to Azure Springs Resort for a


    team party.


    In the past, she’d always chosen budget–friendly venues to help Seth save money. But now she was the boss–she didn’t have to answer to anyone, and she was determined to enjoy herself.


    The resort manager greeted her at the entrance, calling her “Ms. Gilmore” with every other breath, and assembled a small army of staff to give her group a proper wee.


    Among the servers, Noreen spotted a familiar face.


    Matthew Cole blurted out before she could, “Ruby Wilder? What are you <i>doing </i><i>here</i>?”


    Ruby, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her former boss, had <i>no </i><i>time </i>to hide. She straightened her shoulders and replied stiffly, “I work here now.”


    The manager, seeing that Ruby knew Ms. Gilmore, immediately assigned her to handle the VIP guests.


    He leaned in with a warning: “Ms. Gilmore is one of our most important guests. Make sure you give her the best service–do you understand?”


    Ruby bit her lip, lowering her gaze.


    “Did you hear me?” the manager insisted.


    Ruby’s answer was barely louder than a whisper. “Yes, sir.”


    Sophia, sticking close to Noreen, whispered in her ear, “Last time Aurelion Group had a team retreat here, Ruby got tipsy and started sucking up to Bianca–said she only got to enjoy a fancy ce like Azure Springs because she was in Bianca’s good graces. imed her life used to be nothing but hardship.”


    In truth, what Ruby said was even nastier than Sophia let on.


    She’d gone on about how Noreen was full of herself, acting like she was the future Mrs. Aurelion–always meddling, always penny–pinching, no sense of ss.