Chapter 449

Henry was deeply impressed. She was as graceful and magnanimous as ever. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy toward Seth.
“Bianca, about that news article… what really happened?” he asked, the suspicion still nagging at him.
Bianca sighed, a look of weary resignation on her face. “Ever since I got together with Seth, I’ve been a target for the media. Mr. Archer was just an innocent bystander. What I don’t understand is why a simple photo of us golfing ended up in the financial news instead of the usual gossip columns. It feels like someone was deliberately fanning the flames, creating a misunderstanding to drive a wedge between me and Mr. Archer.”
Her explanation immediately made Henry think of Noreen. She was the one who had benefited most from the situation. Had she planted the story? If so, it was a truly despicable tactic.
The summit concluded successfully. Noreen went to the Harcourt estate to report to Wade. As she entered, she was surprised to see Seth sitting at the dining table, eating alone. She paused, confused. Jude had said Bianca was unwell and that Seth was taking her to the hospital. Why wasn’t he there with her? Had she known he would be here, she would have come another day.
But it was too late to turn back. Noreen squared her shoulders and walked in.
Evelyn, the housekeeper, poked her head out of the kitchen. Her face lit up. “Noreen! What a wonderful surprise! Have you eaten? If not, please join us.”
Noreen was about to say she had already eaten when Seth answered for her. “She came straight from the summit. Of course she hasn’t eaten.”
“Then I’ll get you a bowl and some soup. Go wash your hands. Everything is still hot,” Evelyn said cheerfully.
After a long day, Noreen realized she was starving. Evelyn was an excellent cook, and hunger has a way of overriding all other concerns. She washed her hands and returned to the table, her focus entirely on the food, not on the man sitting across from her.
Evelyn brought out a steaming bowl of soup. Seth, being closer to the kitchen, stood and took it from her placing it in front of Noreen. As she reached for it, her damp fingertips brushed against the back of his hand. After he sat down, he subconsciously rubbed his fingers together.
“Thank you,” Noreen said without looking at him, her voice cool and distant. She then devoted her full attention to her meal, completely ignoring him. Thıs content belongs to.net
Seth had started eating before her, but he was still at the table long after she had finished. She had never known him to eat so much. It was awkward; she wanted to clear her plate but felt she couldn’t.
Finally, Evelyn came to her rescue. “You’re here to see Mr. Harcourt, aren’t you? He’s waiting for you in his study.”
“Thank you,” Noreen said, relieved.
The meeting with Wade was brief. His secretary had already given him a full report: Noreen stayed a little longer, chatting with him, before taking her leave. By now, the house was quiet; she assumed Setbhad gone.
But when she came out of the study, he was still there, sitting on the sofa, his shirt half-off.
They had been together for seven years; there was nothing they hadn’t seen of each other. Yet, in that moment, Noreen felt a sudden, sharp jolt of discomfort. She quickly averted her eyes, pretending not to notice.