Chapter 405
She was curious. They weren’t in the same age group, and their professional circles didn’t overlap.
“He’s my neighbor. Grew up next door.”
So they were just neighbors. Still, Bianca felt the need to probe further. “Padgett Novak is quite the rising star. It’s rare for someone his age to reach his position. His family must have helped him out a lot, right?”
“He did it all on his own,” Henry replied, choosing his words carefully. The influence of Padgett’s father was a topic best avoided.
The answer confirmed Bianca’s suspicions. Padgett probably didn’t have a powerful background. Before their blind date, Yvonne Laurent had asked someone in Northcrest to look into him and found no influential figures with the surname Novak. That was why Bianca had been so dismissive during their meeting. She had no idea why the matchmaker had told Yvonne that Padgett came from a prominent family. It was the only reason Bianca had agreed to meet him behind Seth’s back. When she realized he had no significant family connections, she had politely turned him down the next time he asked her out, deciding to focus all her energy on Seth.
Noreen was scheduled to fly to Glenhaven City the next day. Everything concerning Seymour Group would have to wait until she returned, but she needed to let Jude know what documents to prepare in advance. After finishing her work, she gave him a call.
The background on his end was noisy; she could faintly hear people congratulating Bianca. Jude stepped out of the room, and the noise faded. “Nor-Ms. Gilmore,” Jude stammered, catching himself before using her first name. It felt awkward. His entire attitude toward her had shifted. Before, he had been dismissive and arrogant, acting as if he were superior. Now, he felt like a student taking a call from the principal, instinctively cautious.
Noreen calmly listed the documents he needed to gather.
“I’m not sure I can remember all that. Could you send it to me on WhatsApp?” Jude asked nervously.
Noreen frowned, realizing this might actually be difficult for him, and agreed lust as she was about to added Ms.
hang up, Jude waekly
Gilmore, I’m still on your block list.”
“I know.” Noreen ended the call and unblocked him on WhatsApp, sending over
the list of required materials.
Jude immediately replied, “Got it.” Read complete versıon only at.net
Noreen thought for a moment and added, “If there’s anything you don’t
understand, you can ask Sophia Cole.”
“Got it,” he replied again, his responses impeccably polite.
Noreen closed the chat and, out of habit, decided to check her recent social media updates. Mrs. Joyner was someone who loved life and posted frequently. Since
vad
become friends, Noreen had made a habit of liking her posts, and she now found herself scrolling through her feed every night before bed.
She refreshed the page, and sure enough, Mrs. Joyner had posted. It was a photo of her visiting an orphanage, surrounded by a group of smiting children. Mrs. Joyner looks kind and radiant, but Noreen thought she seemed to have lost more weight.
After liking the photo, Noreen scrolled down and saw a recent post from Jude.
[Wishing Seth and Bianca a lifetime of happiness together!]
The accompanying photo was of the couple. Seth had his arm around Bianca’s shoulders, his expression relaxed as he looked down at her with an adoring, indulgent gaze.
***