Chapter 48

Noreen hadn’t slept well for days, and tonight, insomnia kept her wide awake,
She tossed and turned for what felt like hours, unable to drift off.
A little after eleven, her phone buzzed–a message from Claire.
Claire sent over seven or eight lawyers‘ WhatsApp contacts, some well – known, others found through friends of friends.
She was doing everything she could to help Noreen.
Since sleep was out of the question, Noreen figured she might as well talk to these lawyers.
At first, every one of them sounded confident, promising the moon. But the moment she mentioned her case was against Aurelion Group’s legal team, the
conversations dried up.
Things were even trickier than Noreen had imagined.
After all, she had willingly signed that contract herself.
Just that fact alone was enough to lose her the case.
Taking this to court was a dead end.
If the other side decided to drag things out for years, her career would be over.
So, her only option was to go through Seth.
Which meant, like it or not, she’d have to deal with him again.
The realization made her clench her jaw in frustration.
Poetic justice, she thought bitterly. Who told you to fall head over heels and forget to use your brain? This is the price you pay.
Claire messaged: “So what now?”
Noreen steeled herself. “ I’ll just have to swallow my pride and push through.”
Claire was genuinely impressed. “Noreen, you’ve finally woken up! I’m proud of you! ” Well, better late than never.
Awakening, she realized, is only one percent from others‘ reminders. The other ninety–nine comes from being cut to pieces by life.
1/3
The next morning, Noreen arrived at the office early.
Seth came in with Blanca. Seeing Noreen quietly at her desk, he felt reassured
So her odd behavior lately really was just a tantrum directed at him.
He’d given her a simple explanation last night, and she’d fallen right back in line,
Seth was pleased with Noreen’s sense of propriety.
After entering his office with Bianca, he pressed the intercom and asked Noreen to bring in two coffees.
Noreen complied without a word.
“Seth, can you take another look at my presentation? See if there’s anything else I should fix?” Bianca’s voice was soft and syrupy.
“Didn’t I already help you with it last night?”
“I made a few more changes.” Bianca’s tone was almost childlike.
Noreen couldn’t help but wonder–how did someone even manage to talk like that?
Seth patiently reviewed Bianca’s slides. Noreen set a stack of documents on Seth’s desk. “Mr. Harcourt, these papers need your signature.”
“Leave them there,” he replied, eyes never leaving Bianca’s laptop.
Noreen quietly slipped out. She sent the finalized meeting agenda to Sophia, then left Aurelion Group.
She made sure to remind Sophia: if Mr. Harcourt asked, just say she was organizing the launch party.
Every time one of Aurelion Group’s subsidiaries went public, they hosted a lavish celebration. Noreen had always handled the arrangements, and this time was no
different.
No one would question her excuse–not even Seth.
By 9:30, Noreen was at the hospital. She headed straight to Rosalind’s room.
No change–Rosalind’s condition hadn’t improved.
When Noreen walked in, Rosalind instinctively glanced behind her, as if expecting someone else.
22:06
When she realized Noreen was alone, the disappointment in her eyes was obviou
Noreen knew exactly who she was hoping to see, and what Rosalind wanted to ask Seth. But she couldn’t be honest with her, not yet.
For now, she could only let Rosalind focus on getting better.
While waiting for Dylan for half an hour, Noreen got a message from Sophia complaining about work.
“Noreen, do you know what just happened at the investment committee meeting? ”