Chapter 71

On the day of the gala, Noreen was busy at the hotel from the early morning, never setting foot in the office.
Sophia arrived that afternoon to help out, and the moment she saw Noreen still in her usual work attire, she hurried her, “Go on–go get changed into your dress!”
But to Sophia’s shock, Noreen replied, “I forgot to order a dress.”
If anyone else had said that, Sophia might have believed them. But coming from Noreen–the famously meticulous, unflappable, can–do secretary–it was hard to swallow.
This was Noreen, who never let anything slip through the cracks. Forgetting her own formalwear? Impossible.
Sophia was about to press her, but Noreen just calmly gave out instructions, her expression unreadable, betraying not a flicker of
emotion.
So, all the words of comfort Sophia had prepared were swallowed back down.
By five thirty, Seth still hadn’t shown up, but guests were already arriving in steady streams.
With no other choice, Noreen had to stand in for Seth, greeting guests and making small talk, so busy she barely had time to catch her breath–her cheeks ached from the constant smiling.
At five fifty, Noreen checked in with Sophia again about Seth.
Sophia, looking harried, admitted, “No idea–I can’t reach Mr. Harcourt.”
Noreen thought for a moment, then instructed her, “Call Director Lowell. See if she knows.”
Sophia did as she was told.
A few minutes later, after hanging up, Sophia’s expression was
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Chapter 71
Chapter 71
On the day of the gala, Noreen was busy at the hotel from the early morning, never setting foot in the office.
Sophia arrived that afternoon to help out, and the moment she saw Noreen still in her usual work attire, she hurried her, “Go on–go get changed into your dress!”
But to Sophia’s shock, Noreen replied, “I forgot to order a dress.”
If anyone else had said that, Sophia might have believed them. But coming from Noreen–the famously meticulous, unflappable, can–do secretary–it was hard to swallow.
This was Noreen, who never let anything slip through the cracks. Forgetting her own formalwear? Impossible.
Sophia was about to press her, but Noreen just calmly gave out instructions, her expression unreadable, betraying not a flicker of
emotion.
So, all the words of comfort Sophia had prepared were swallowed back
down.
By five thirty, Seth still hadn’t shown up, but guests were already arriving in steady streams.
With no other choice, Noreen had to stand in for Seth, greeting guests and making small talk, so busy she barely had time to catch her breath–her cheeks ached from the constant smiling.
At five fifty, Noreen checked in with Sophia again about Seth.
Sophia, looking harried, admitted, “No idea–I can’t reach Mr. Harcourt.”
Noreen thought for a moment, then instructed her, “Call Director Lowell.
See if she knows.” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on
Sophia did as she was told.
A few minutes later, after hanging up, Sophia’s expression was
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Chapter 71
complicated as she looked at Noreen.
“What did Director Lowell say?” Noreen asked.
Sophia couldn’t hide the truth. “Mr. Harcourt is with Director Lowell. He’s… he’s helping her with a dress alteration. They’re on their way now, but might be a few minutes late. She asked you to hold down the fort until they arrive.”
Her voice was laced with sympathy by the time she finished.
Noreen took it in stride, her composure unbroken. “I understand. Go take care of your other tasks.”
The guests were all here for Seth, so naturally, his absence raised questions.
Noreen could only field them one by one.
And fielding them meant endless rounds of wine and polite laughter.
She’d been on her feet at the hotel all day, barely eating. Now, with each glass she downed, her empty stomach began to protest.
Seth and Bianca finally arrived at 6:10–ten minutes late.
Not a huge delay, but it happened to be the moment everyone was most expectant.
As soon as the two walked in, they became the center of attention.
Whispers broke out across the room.
“Who’s the stunning woman with Mr. Harcourt? Haven’t seen her before.”
“No wonder Secretary Gilmore isn’t in a gown tonight–looks like Mr. Harcourt has a new plus–one.”
This came from someone who clearly knew Seth’s habits–he’d always brought Noreen to these events before.
“You guys haven’t heard? That woman is none other than Bianca Lowell, daughter of Forrest Lowell. Her family’s on equal footing with the
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Harcourts.”
A few gasps circled the group.
“So, is Mr. Harcourt finally settling down?”
“Sounds like an engagement might be around the corner.”
Every word drifted to Noreen’s ears. She set down her wineglass and glanced in Seth and Bianca’s direction.
Seth was wearing the very tuxedo she’d chosen for him–sleek, perfectly tailored, fitting him to a T.
Of course, she’d measured him herself. There wouldn’t be a single mistake.
Bianca, on the other hand, hadn’t worn the dress Noreen had ordered for
her.
But Noreen recognized the gown instantly–it was the very one she’d first set her eyes on at Myriad Atelier just yesterday.
It was clear Seth doted on Bianca.
After the original dress was ruined, he’d gone straight to Myriad Atelier to buy her a new one.
He’d even accompanied Bianca for the alterations, never mind that it would make them late to the gala.
And this, when he was the host.
Seth had always been punctual to a fault. Yet when it came to Bianca, the rules seemed to change.
He broke his own code for her, again and again, upending everything Noreen thought she knew about him.
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Chapter 72