But Healy always found some excuse to politely decline, never giving her even the slightest chance.

Yet now he was deep in conversation with Noreen…

He was so engrossed, in fact, that when she and Seth walked in, he didn’t even notice. Clearly, the two of them werepletely absorbed in their discussion.

Could it be… Healy was interested in Noreen?

That couldn’t be possible, could it?

Noreen was beautiful and certainly capable, but even so, it was hard to imagine Healy falling for her.

She decided she was probably overthinking it.

Hadn’t Jude said Healy was already interested in someone else?

He and Noreen must just be talking about work–nothing more.

Besides, it wasn’t likely that even someone as charming as Noreen could win over a man like Healy.

The meeting was scheduled for ten o’clock and was led entirely by Bianca.

Noreen was puzzled, as she hadn’t seen Vincent anywhere. fnd96c Th?s chapter is updated by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?/fnd96c

Normally, for a meeting this important, the head of Ascendancy Group–Vincent–should have been the one running things.

Yet everyone else in the conference room seemed perfectly calm about it, as if they were already used to Bianca taking charge of Ascendancy Group affairs.

Noreen had been preupied with her own worktely and hadn’t paid much attention to what was going on at Ascendancy Group.

Carman had mentioned in passing that Seth had handed over management of Ascendancy Group to

Bianca.

She’d assumed Seth was just saying that to cate his old me or make a show of it, not actually giving her real authority.

After all, Ascendancy Group was the core asset of Aurelion Group.

She hadn’t expected things to have reached this point already.

Wasn’t this just handing Ascendancy Group over to Bianca on a silver tter?

She wondered if this would affect their partnership going forward.

Over lunch, Sophia filled Noreen in on thetest gossip she’d picked up at Ascendancy Group that morning, finally resolving the questions brewing in Noreen’s mind.

Sophia confided, “Word is, Vincent’s beenpletely sidelined by Bianca. He was so furious he took an extended leave–and from what I hear, he has no ns toe back anytime sooni./i”

“That’s not even the half of it. Bianca’s been bringing her own people into Ascendancy Group. At this

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rate, she’s practically taken over.”

“She really thinks she owns the ce!” Sophia huffed, indignant.

“She’s about to,” Noreen replied.

The meeting finally ended at four in the afternoon. Bianca, representing Aurelion Group, invited the business partners to join her and Seth for dinner.

Noreen had been nning to find an excuse to slip away, but when Healy told her Castle would be there, she bit her tongue.

She figured if Seth was inviting Castle to dinner at such a crucial moment, it was probably to pave the way for Bianca.

Ascendancy Group had some ties with the Joyner family of Harborview City, and if Bianca wanted to take over Ascendancy Group openly and secure her position, Castle’s approval was essential. Healy, meanwhile, was oblivious to Noreen’s inner thoughts–his attention was fixed elsewhere. Ever since Seth walked in, Healy had been watching Noreen’s reactions closely.

He barely spared Seth a nce.

It was a stark contrast from the Noreen of before, who used to gaze at Seth with such longing–now, she seemed like apletely different person.

Bianca went all out and booked The Eastern Gardens for dinner.

They had barely arrived when Castle showed up.

Bianca and Seth were quick to rise and wee him.

It was, after all, Aurelion Group’s event; the others, though eager to connect with Castle, knew not to overstep.

Bianca greeted Castle warmly, setting aside her usual pride and adopting a surprisingly humble

manner.

Yet Castle’s attitude toward her remained cool and distant.

He shook her hand, but only out of politeness.

Bianca, eager to disper any prejudice Castle might have against her, personally pulled out a chair and invited him to sit.

But as Castle nced around and caught sight of Noreen on the other side of the table, his eyes suddenly lit up.

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