People always said that Seth would kick Noreen to the curb sooner orter…
Truth was, even if Sophia hadn’t said it out loud, Noreen knew exactly what kind of person Ruby Wilder was.
But hearing it all again now, she barely felt anything.
She could even joke with ease, “So, she’s finally living her best life now, huh?”
Sophia fell silent for a moment.
Had she always missed this side of Noreen–the dry humor hiding in in sight?
“That’s what they call karma. What goes aroundes around,” Noreen quipped. <fnc620> Get full chapters from Find~Novel</fnc620>
Sophia couldn’t help butugh. “Look at me and Director Cole. We both left Aurelion Group, and we’re still able to find decent jobs. But Ruby? She had to switch careers and wait tables. Looks like she finally got what she deserved!”
Before dinner, Noreen, Matthew Cole, and Carman held a quick meeting to discuss the next steps for their project.
Matthew said he’d already shortlisted a few top architecture firms, and would start reaching out as soon as he got back.
W
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Noreen handed him a WhatsApp contact.
When Matthew realized it was Mr. Suthend from VirtuBuild Ltd., his eyes widened in disbelief. “Ms. Gilmore, when did you get connected with someone at VirtuBuild?”
“I met him at a g some time ago,” Noreen replied, matter–of–fact.
Matthew knew Wade had taken Noreen to a few dinners and events, but stillworking at a party rarely opened doors with apany as big as VirtuBuild. Wade had some sway, sure, but he’d been semi–retired for years now. Business was business, and apany that size wasn’t going to do favors out of nostalgia. Besides, Noreen’s Winrich had no real business ties with Harcourt Group, and Mr. Suthend was a notorious old fox. He’d never make a move without something in it for him.
Which was why Matthew was so surprised.
Noreen, unconcerned, mentioned how she’d gone toe–to–toe with Seth. “I told Seth, ‘If you’ll be upset when I win, then I’m <i>going </i>to make sure I do!‘ I wanted to rile Seth and Bianca up, make them take this project seriously. Bianca’s <i>too </i>proud to lose to me, so she’ll throw everything she has into it. Seth’s standing behind her, and he’ll move heaven and earth to clear the way for her.”
She smiled. “Think about it–if even Seth from Aurelion Group is fighting for this project, wouldn’t that make Mr. Suthend sit up and take notice?”
Matthew smacked his knee. “I get it now! I really get it!”
He worked in investment banking; once Noreen spelled it out, he saw the strategy in as day.
Bianca, goaded into action, was working her socialwork overtime, making the whole industry
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think this was the hottest project in town. <i>So </i>when Winrich finally sealed the deal, nobody would hesitate to partner with them–even though thepany was still small. After all, if Winrich could beat out Aurelion Group, their future was bright.
No wonder Noreen seemed so rxed when word got out that Bianca was running herself ragged for
this project.
It had all been Noreen’s setup from the start.
Bianca would probably never realize that all her hard work had ended up making Noreen and Winrich look even better, turning herself–and Aurelion Group–into Noreen’s stepping stones.
Genius.
For a long time, he’d really underestimated Noreen.
That night, they had dinner at the spa resort. As soon as Noreen walked into the restaurant, the manager and a server rolled in a cart bearing a bottle of Armand de Brignac Rosé Champagne.
Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Ms. Gilmore, going all out tonight?”
That bottle had to be worth nearly twenty grand–and it was rare, too.
Noreen shook her head. “I’m not that extravagant, trust me.<i>” </i>After all, she was still renting an apartment.
The manager smiled and exined, “This is a gift from Mr. Naylor, to congratte you, Ms. Gilmore.”
Noreen raised an eyebrow. “Healy?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She opened the card and saw Healy’s handwriting inside.
“Wishing Ms. Gilmore continued sess and a brilliant future.”