Chapter 378

Only then did Noreen realize Seth was in the room with her.
“Yes,” Seth said.
“No,” Noreen said at the same time.
Yves laughed. “Looks like you two didn’t coordinate your stories.”
Noreen didn’t know what Seth was up to and couldn’t be bothered to guess.
“Ms. Gilmore, a toast!” Hugh Summers said cheerfully, raising his glass. “To celebrate you becoming the richest woman in Rivercrest City!”
“Your news is a bit outdated, Mr. Summers,” Yves chimed in. “The list has been updated. The new number one is Mr. Harcourt’s fiancée, Director Lowell.”
Hugh hadn’t heard; the list had just changed that morning. “My apologies! I’m behind the times. But this toast is still for Ms. Gilmore.”
Noreen was about to say she had driven and couldn’t drink when a hand reached out and took the glass from in front of her. She noticed it was covered by a black compression glove.
“Ms. Gilmore likely drove,” Seth said, his voice even. “I’ll take this for her.”
His words made Noreen pause, and she finally looked at him properly. What was he doing? Defending her from a drink? That was absurd.
Before she could object, Seth had already downed the glass of liquor. But she felt no gratitude, only annoyance at his pointless gesture. She didn’t need anyone to run interference for her.
“Seth, what are you doing here?”
Bianca’s voice cut through the room before Noreen could speak. She must have seen Seth as she was passing by the open door. So they hadn’t come together after all.
“We were just talking about Director Lowell, and here she is! So, Mr. Harcourt, you came with her,” Yves said, offering Bianca a seat.
Bianca smiled sweetly. “No, I was here for a meeting myself. I had no idea Seth would be here too. What a coincidence.” She then turned to Seth with a playful pout. “You should have told me you were coming. I would have loved to say hello to everyone.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt your business,” Seth replied, the cool edge in his voice softening as he looked at her.
Bianca leaned closer, catching the scent of alcohol. “Have you been drinking?”
“Mr. Harcourt just took a drink for Ms. Gilmore,” Yves explained.
Bianca’s brow furrowed, and she pressed her lips together, clearly confused by his action. The source of thɪs content is
Sensing her displeasure, Seth explained, “Everyone else here is a gentleman. We can’t have the only lady in the room drinking, can we?” His tone was devoid of any warmth as he said it, his gaze indifferent, never once landing on Noreen. He was making it clear that his gesture was purely a matter of social etiquette.
Bianca decided her worry was misplaced. Everyone could see how devoted Seth was to her. She had no reason to doubt him. “That’s very chivalrous of you,” she said, he “Bot
Voice laced with t
chivalry should be selective. You wouldn’t want to give someone the wrong impression.”
The implication hung in the air, making everyone in the room a little uncomfortable.
“Everyone, I have another appointment, so I must be going,” Noreen announced, eager to leave. She had only meant to say a quick hello anyway. She turned and walked out of the room.
Behind her, she could hear Yves starting to cheer, trying to get Seth and Bianca to make a toast to their future. Seth readily agreed.
As she walked away, the sounds from the room faded. Down the hall, she saw Henry standing at the end, his eyes fixed on the room Bianca had just entered, his face
ask of disappointmenet
saw Noreen, however, his expression hardened into a cold glare.
he
He remembered Vincent’s refusal. It had been so swift, so absolute, as if Noreen
was the only option.