Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1102

Gia had no choice but to agree.

Upstairs, Sophia brought Noreen her coffee and couldn't resist dropping a bit of gossip. "That Gia woman finally left. The security guards said she was waiting down there for over three hours."

Noreen didn't look up from her paperwork, offering only a mild observation. "She's certainly patient."

Just before noon, Sanford Brooke called. He had just arrived in Rivercrest City and wanted to take her out for lunch. Remembering how the Brooke Group had poured a fortune into stabilizing Winrich's stock, Noreen immediately offered to treat him instead.

At eleven-thirty, Noreen headed downstairs to meet him at the restaurant, only to be ambushed by Gia.

She hadn't left after all. She had been lurking in the lobby the entire time.

"Ms. Gilmore, we need to talk."

Noreen looked mildly surprised but her tone remained strictly business. "I'm sorry, I don't have the time."

Gia blocked her path. "I know you're busy. I won't take up much of your time."

"Then schedule an appointment with my secretary."

At that moment, the reality crashed down on Gia—Noreen had absolutely zero intention of negotiating with her. The appointment line was just a brush-off. The humiliation of waiting all morning finally boiled over. "Are you really too busy, or are you just punishing me for what happened last time?"

Noreen arched an eyebrow, giving Gia a slow, measured look. "If you already know the answer, why are you here embarrassing yourself?"

The brutal honesty left Gia completely speechless. Noreen breezed right past her and walked out the door.

Gia stood frozen in place, her face a mask of pure resentment. Eventually, she made her way to the hotel to face Jason, confessing the disaster of the past two days.

The burning sting on her cheek spread rapidly, ringing in her ears. She slowly stood up straight, neither flinching nor touching her face.

She was used to the verbal abuse. She was the product of an affair, and in the Vance family, she had absolutely zero standing. Earning a role in the corporate hierarchy had taken years of blood, sweat, and ruthless maneuvering. But even then, she was barred from the core business. Jason didn't trust her. No one in the family trusted her.

Not even her own father.

Realizing this years ago, Gia had started plotting her own escape route.

Healy Naylor was that route.

Even knowing that Healy still carried a torch for Noreen, she played the blissfully ignorant fiancée. She desperately needed this marriage to secure her own future.