Chapter 283

Chapter 283
Noreen was gone for over half an hour, and by the time she returned to the private lounge, Jennifer and her boy toy were still locked in a passionate embrace, kissing as if nothing else existed.
Their clothes were rumpled and disheveled.
But Jennifer, at least, still had her wits about her. She gently pushed the young man away, straightened her blouse, and said, “I need to talk business with Ms. Gilmore. Go have some fun outside. Order whatever you want, it’s on me.”
“No, put it on my tab,” Noreen interjected quickly.
After all, she was the one who’d invited everyone out–it was only right to play the gracious host.
“Go on now.” Jennifer smiled as she shooed the young man out. Only then did she lazily pick up her drink and turn to Noreen, a slow grin spreading across her face. “Ah, to be young–energy to burn, day and night, without a care in the world.”
Noreen was long used to Jennifer’s wild ways and unfiltered candor.
Most of the time, she just smiled and let her talk.
But every now and then, she’d toss back a comment.
“This one seems even younger than the last.”
“Mhm. Just turned twenty.” Jennifer lit a slim cigarette and took a long, slow drag.
Noreen did the math in her head.
That made him twenty–two years younger than Jennifer.
As if reading her thoughts, Jennifer laughed. “We met at the exact age when both of us were at the height of our cravings. Perfect match, don’t you think?”
Noreen had no idea how to respond to that.
Fortunately, the server arrived with more drinks, giving her the perfect excuse to raise a toast and steer the conversation elsewhere.
Jennifer never questioned Noreen’s work ethic–she knew better. She’d never once asked about the details of Noreen’s projects.
Only after finishing the last drag of her cigarette and stubbing it out did Jennifer finally steer the conversation back. “I heard Mr. Harcourt’s getting engaged?”
Noreen thought for a moment. “If even Mr. Shaw’s heard about it, it must be true.”
Jennifer studied her, as if searching for a crack in her composure. “And what do you make of it?”
“I suppose I’ll just see it with my own eyes.”
Jennifer chuckled. “Good. Glad to see you’re not bothered. There are plenty of men in this world, no need to dwell on one from the past. Even if he comes crawling back, you shouldn’t look behind you.”
“Mr. Shaw is overthinking it. He’s not coming back, and I’ve never wanted to go back either.”
12:26
υπαρισι του
That was the honest truth for Noreen.
“Exactly! Why give one man twenty chances when you could give twenty men one chance each? If you can’t find a good one, just find a whole bunch. It’s like keeping a single fish–if it dies, you’re heartbroken. But if you have a pond full, you won’t even notice when one goes belly up. Think bigger. Quantity over quality. If men are always around, it really doesn’t matter which side they’re on.” Jennifer raised her glass and grinned.
Noreen couldn’t imagine where Jennifer picked up all these cynical pearls of wisdom.
But it made sense–someone who’d clawed her way through her own darkest hours, saving herself over and over with sharp–edged humor like this.
Noreen, though, didn’t have any such bitter wisdom. She survived on sheer grit.
Just like she’d once loved Seth without a second thought.
If she had the courage to love him, she had the courage to let him go.
A server brought over another round. “This is from the gentleman who just left, for the two of you.”
Jennifer beamed. “Now that’s thoughtful–already remembering his big sister while he’s out having a good time. Not bad.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ~net
They drank a little more, and Noreen started to feel a strange buzz.
Given her usual tolerance, it made no sense–she shouldn’t be feeling tipsy so soon.
But her head was swimming, her skin flushed and hot.
Jennifer looked the same, tugging at her collar, visibly uncomfortable. She pulled out her phone and called her boy toy back, telling him to hurry up.
He listened, showing up in minutes.
As soon as he walked in, Jennifer wrapped herself around him.
He laughed. “Miss me already?”
Noreen realized she needed to get out of there. She stood up, mumbling something about getting some air, and left the room to give them privacy.
Her plan was simple: find a restroom, splash her face with cold water, then call Sophia to come pick her up.
But the moment she stepped into the restroom, someone grabbed her from behind, clamping a hand over her mouth and nose. A sharp, acrid smell filled her nostrils, overwhelming her senses.