Chapter 679
If even Wade couldn’t persuade him, then she certainly had no standing or credibility to do so.
When Noreen left the Harcourt residence, it was snowing again, heavier than last time.
She only stood for a moment, but a thin layer of snow had already accumulated on her head and shoulders, and the tip of her nose was slowly turning red from the cold.
The weather forecast had predicted a harsh winter this year.
It seemed to be true.
A week before the New Year, Noreen was back at the office, working overtime.
In their group chat, Wilbur tagged everyone and asked if they wanted to go skiing in Switzerland for the holidays.
Noreen said she couldn’t, as she had to stay with her mother and also complete the coursework Halley had assigned her.
Eason Clayton said he had to go home for arranged dates.
Marcus Selwyn, the devoted husband, was naturally spending the time with his wife.
Henry Brooke was the last to reply, saying he was busy and couldn’t make it.
Wilbur shot back, “What could you possibly be busy with?”
The comment wasn’t particularly malicious, but it was certainly insulting.
Whether from anger or something else, Henry didn’t reply.
Finally, Wilbur announced dejectedly, “If none of you are going, then I won’t either. I’ll just go to Rivercrest City and hang out with Noreen.”
“I don’t have time to hang out with you,” Noreen said.
It wasn’t that she was being rude; she was genuinely drowning in work.
Juggling family, career, and studies, she was working around the clock, with sleep measured in seconds. Where would she find the time to entertain him?
But Wilbur replied, “It’s fine. I’m also coming for the wedding of the Omniva Bank president.”
Noreen paused.
Dylan Wilder was getting married?
So soon?
He had just gotten engaged a month ago.
Just as Noreen finished her morning meeting, Sophia knocked on the door to announce a visitor.
It was Crystal Chelsea.
Noreen told Sophia to let her in.
Crystal looked every bit the pampered heiress, with a taste for expensive fashion.
She was also incredibly warm, greeting Noreen with an enthusiastic hug the moment she walked in.
Noreen was still a bit taken aback by her forwardness.
“Aren’t you surprised?” Crystal asked with a beaming smile.
Out of politeness, Noreen nodded. “I am.”
“Dylan was supposed to come with me today, but he had a last-minute meeting he couldn’t get out of, so I came by myself.”
She took Noreen’s hand and chatted
nonstop. “Actually, I’ve wanted to see you again ever since that party butve been so busy with wedding preparations that I just couldnt find the time. You’re not mad at you?”
“Why would I be?”
me, are
Noreen didn’t quite understand the girl’s logic.
They had only met once; their relationship hadn’t reached that level of familiarity.
But Crystal said, “I’m glad you’re not mad.”
Then she showed off her wedding ring to Noreen. “Isn’t my ring beautiful? Dylan bought it for me. I think his taste is pretty good, so he picked out my wedding dress and – everything else.”
“Even though it’s all very rushed, Dylan is still trying to give me the best wedding possible.”
At this, she seemed to feign
annoyance complaining, “Actually, I
wanted to have fun for another
couple of years. I’m still young, after
all. But Dylan is thirty and needs to
settle down sou guess I’l reluctantly marry him!”
Although her expression was one of bother, her tone was filled with undeniable happiness.
“Oh my,” Crystal suddenly slapped her forehead. “Look at me, I got so caught up in chatting that I forgot the real reason I’m here.”
She took an invitation from her purse and handed it to Noreen with great solemnity.
“I came to give you our wedding invitation! I hope you’ll be able to come to my and Dylan’s wedding.”
Noreen accepted it and said she would.
Crystal stayed for a little while longer before a call from Dylan prompted her to say goodbye and leave.
Noreen looked at the invitation in her hand and smiled silently.
“That’s just too much! How dare she come and rub her happiness in your face!”
When Claire Chase heard about it, she ranted on WhatsApp.