Chapter 505
Confirmation of the truth filled Bianca with joy. “Oh, you. The shareholders are going to start talking.”
“Let them. Who would dare say a word against you when I’m here?”
Laughing, they got into the car. Bianca was so engrossed in her conversation with Seth that she forgot to even wave goodbye to Henry. He stood there, listening to their banter, watching them drive away. Their relationship was even stronger than he had imagined, leaving him alone on the sidewalk, a bitter taste in his mouth.
That evening, Sophia called Noreen to ask what she wanted for breakfast. Noreen’s mind was so full of study materials that she couldn’t think of a single thing.
“I guess I’ll have to make a menu for you to choose from,” Sophia teased. “That way you can just point.”
“Good idea. Look at you, improving your work efficiency.”
They chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up. Noreen studied for a while longer, not realizing until she glanced at the clock that it was past eleven. It was time to rest; she had several important meetings the next day. As she put her materials away, she noticed the balcony door was ajar. As she went to close it, she heard a faint ringing from below. It was brief and muffled, but she heard it. She paused, leaning over the railing to look down. All she could see were the streetlights and the dark crowns of the trees. Everything was silent. It was as if she had imagined it.
She hesitated, then went inside. But after tossing and turning in bed for a few minutes, she got up and went downstairs. The street was quiet, without a breath of wind. The warm yellow glow of the streetlights made the empty road seem vast. There were no cars, no people. She must have imagined it.
As she turned to go back inside, she saw Colby returning from the convenience store with a coffee and a bottle of water.
“Ms. Gilmore, you’re still awake?” he asked, surprised.
“Just heading to bed now,” she said. She glanced at the energy drink in his hand. “I’m perfectly safe at home. You should go. You don’t need to stand guard all night.”
Colby’s expression was neutral, but his tone was firm. “I can sleep in the car. Don’t worry about me.” He then added, “You should get some rest, Ms. Gilmore.”
Knowing she couldn’t convince him, Googlá´‡ search.net
Noreen gave up. After a few
words of caution she we
to bed.
upstairs
The next day, after a morning full of meetings, Noreen had to visit CEO Royce’s factory for an inspection. The factory was in the suburbs, long drive away. Noreen used the time to review her notes from the previous day’s lecture.
At one point, Colby’s phone rang, startling her. He quickly silenced it. “Sorry, did I disturb you?”
“No, it’s fine,” she said. “When did you change your ringtone?”
“I changed it last night,” he replied. “Why?”
Noreen shook her head. “No reason. It’s nice.”
Sophia teased him from the driver’s seat. “Since when do you have such refined taste? A violin concerto?”
Colby smiled faintly. “I don’t have any taste. I just found it online.”
Noreen smiled to herself and returned to her notes.
When they arrived at the factory, CEO Royce was already waiting for them To Noreen’s surprise, Seth
Wan
there too.
“Don’t tell me that bitch Bianca is here too,” Sophia muttered under her breath.
Noreen cleared her throat, and Sophia immediately fell silent.
After greeting CEO Royce, Noreen turned to Seth. “Mr. Harcourt, you’re here as well?”
***