Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Back in the day, Christmas meant going door–to–door, dropping in on neighbors and friends with warm greetings.
But ever since the internet took over, holiday wishes had gone digital–text messages and WhatsApp had become the new way to say “Merry Christmas.”
This year, Noreen’s phone buzzed with more messages than ever. It made sense–after all, she was now the CEO of Winrich, and a permanent partner at InnoCore. No longer the invisible Secretary Gilmore, always trailing behind Seth, unnoticed and unimportant.
Life really was better with money. Money was so much more reliable than men.
Noreen replied to a few messages selectively, then posted a Christmas greeting to her social feed: “Peace and joy.”
It was the same wish she shared every Christmas.
Seth once asked her why she always wrote “Peace and joy” when everyone else was posting “Happy New Year.” Noreen told him that after her mother fell ill, she realized that peace mattered more than happiness. “Peace and joy” embraced happiness, but also carried a deeper hope for her family’s safety and health.
She’d barely set her phone down when another WhatsApp message popped up: “Peace and joy.”
The sender’s profile picture didn’t ring a bell. The username was unfamiliar too–just “Frost.” No posts, no details. The account looked brand new.
Probably someone she’d added for work at some point. She rarely deleted contacts unless she actively disliked someone.
Not recognizing them, she left the message unanswered and put her phone away, ready for Christmas dinner.
After dinner, Carman and his younger sister Mina stayed a while, laughing and playing games with the Gilmore family. As the evening wore on, Mina confided in Noreen about her recent troubles: a boy at school was pursuing her relentlessly–waiting in line to buy her favorite snacks, saving her seats in the library… He was a nice guy, really.
Noreen smiled and told her, “Don’t let yourself be moved by small favors.”
Mina glanced at Carman–just a flicker, but it was clear she was testing the waters for his sake.
It was nearly nine when the siblings finally gathered their things to leave. Noreen walked them downstairs.
“There’s a stall selling lanterns over there–I’ll go take a look,” Mina announced, making a quick escape and leaving Carman and Noreen alone.
Carman seized the moment. “Do you have any plans for the rest of the holidays?” he asked. “Maybe we could go somewhere–there are some great resorts I know of. Perfect for unwinding.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ~net
Noreen shook her head with a gentle smile. “My mom’s health isn’t great. Since I have time off, I want
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Chapter 223
to spend it with her.”
Carman seemed disappointed, but he understood. “You’re right. Family should come first.”
But the thought of not seeing her for days tugged at him. He couldn’t just drop by the Gilmore house every day, not unless he had a different role in her life–something more than business partner or
friend.
And he didn’t want to be just her business partner anymore.
He stopped walking, took a deep breath, and called after her. “Noreen, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She turned, meeting his eyes. She recognized the look on his face–she’d seen it before, in college, when confessions and love letters found their way into her hands.
Noreen had always known Carman cared for her, but she wasn’t ready to accept it. Maybe she never could, at least not in good conscience. It was time to be honest.
Carman took a leap of faith and finally spoke the words he’d held back for so long. “I like you.”
“I know,” Noreen replied softly.
Her answer made him nervous. “Then…? ”
“I’ve always thought of you as my closest friend,” she said, her voice tender. “I worry sometimes that my actions might give you the wrong idea and end up hurting you.”
Carman rushed to reassure her, “I don’t mind if you hurt me— ”
“But I do,” she interrupted, meeting his gaze with quiet honesty. “Because I’ve been hurt before, and I know how much it hurts. I don’t want anyone–especially my dearest friends–to go through that
because of me.”
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