Chapter 390

“Absolutely not!” Jude knew better than anyone how much Seymour cared about the Seymour Group.
If the company really went bankrupt, Seymour… he probably wouldn’t last much longer either.
“I’ll find another way! I have to! Just give me one more chance!”
Seymour looked at him, his eyes vacant. “What other way is there? If you had a solution, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
The words stuck in Jude’s throat, sharp and suffocating.
“I told you back then to talk to Noreen about a partnership on the smart healthcare initiative. I knew even then that it was the Seymour Group’s last shot. But you… you didn’t seize that opportunity, and you cost the company its final chance.”
“I’m sorry
“I always told you to maintain a good relationship with Noreen, but you never listened. She’s capable-even Wade values her opinion. Working with her would have only helped you.”
Jude’s head sank so low it nearly touched his chest, as if he’d never be able to lift it again.
He had gone to see Noreen back then, but she hadn’t given him the time of day. He’d been angry, convinced she was holding a personal grudge. Besides, he hadn’t thought she was all that capable anyway. Her academic credentials weren’t impressive, and neither was her professional experience. For the past seven years, she’d been nothing more than a secretary who ran errands.
So he’d given up on her and thrown his lot in with Bianca.
After all, Bianca had a Ph.D. from overseas and experience at a top-tier international bank. She had even led the largest port acquisition deal on record. Her resume was stellar. Teaming up with her seemed like a surefire way to reverse the Seymour Group’s decline, prove his own worth, and finally earn the respect of Seymour and the Wilder family.
And what was the result?
“I’ve set up a fifty-million-dollar trust fund for you in Glenhaven City,” Seymour said, his voice weary and old. It was like a dull knife twisting in Jude’s heart. “If I’m not around anymore… try to make it last.”
For the first time in his twenty-something years, Jude understood what it felt like to have his heart ripped out.
***
Noreen had an important meeting that afternoon, so she had no choice but to bring Claire to the office.
Claire was more than happy to come along. Being at home was a bore; a trip to the company sounded much more exciting. She was a Winrich share
after all even if it was a small stake. Every little bit counts, right? And with a money-making machine like Noreen for a best friend, her future was secure.
Noreen had Sophia get Claire some snacks to pass the time and then asked if she knew how to make a restorative broth that might help with a sprained ankle.
Sophia scratched her head. “You’re asking the wrong person. I can make broths for energy and digestion, but I’ve never looked into anything for sprains.”
“It’s just a minor sprain. I’ll be back on my feet by tomorrow,” Claire said, waving a dismissive hand. “Don’t give your assistant a hard time. Just go to work and focus on making money to support me. That’s what really matters.” She leaned back on the sofa, the picture of leisure.
She even posted a cheerful ode to her best friend on Twitter: ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ⓝovelFind.net
*Rule #1: Stick with your bestie, and you’ll never go hungry.*
*Rule #2: Be her number one fan, and the world is your oyster.*
*Rule #3: Basically, just mooch off your bestie forever.*
Afraid she’d get too bored, Noreen suggested she sit in on the meeting.
Claire shook her head so hard it looked like it might fall off, her expression one of pure horror. “I’m not cut out for that kind of suffering. Please just let me be a beautifully*** useless freeloader in peace.”
“Alright, beautiful. Have fun on your own. If you get tired, the lounge is right there.
I’m off to my meeting.”
“You got it! Work hard, no slacking.”
Claire found a popular new web series to watch. It was about a couple in an arranged business marriage. The woman was seven years younger than the man, forced into the union by her family.
She’d barely started the first episode before she was scoffing.
“This is so predictable,” she muttered, ready to swipe it away. “As if an arranged marriage could lead to true love. What a load of crap. Next!”