Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 498

It was all thanks to experience, Noreen thought, accumulated just like training an AI. Her time at Aurelion Group had exposed her to countless projects, giving her the data she needed. It hadn’t been a waste after all.

Just as she left Halley’s house, her phone rang. It was Seth. She had no intention of answering. As if sensing this, he hung up before it could go to voicemail and sent her a text instead.

*Don’t you want Ascendancy Group’s resources?*

She immediately called him back. He answered on the first ring, his voice laced with a strange, triumphant humor. “Decided to talk to me now?”

“Where are you?” she asked, all business.

“The Eastern Gardens.”

Once she had the address, she hung up without another word.

Half an hour later, Noreen arrived at the restaurant. It was a dinner Seth had organized with Ascendancy Group’s partners. When she walked in, the room was buzzing with conversation. Seth’s back was to the door, so he didn’t see her at first. It was a man sitting across from him who noticed her. His eyes lit up.

“Mr. Harcourt, your girlfriend is here,” he teased.

Others turned to look. “We’ve heard Mr. Harcourt’s girlfriend is beautiful and elegant, and it’s true! She’s even more impressive in person.”

Noreen had never dealt with Aurelion Group’s partners before, so they didn’t recognize her. The mistake was understandable. Just as she was about to correct them, Seth spoke up.

“Allow me to introduce you all. This is Ms. Gilmore from Winrich, the current CEO of Centribo.”

The other man sounded tense. “Do you think he knows something?”

“Probably not. He’s likely just here for a business dinner.” He then added reassuringly, “What are you so nervous for? Even if he finds out, it’s not a big deal. My cousin is his fiancée. He’s crazy about her. He won’t do anything.”

*Bianca’s cousin?* Curious, Noreen peeked around the screen to get a look.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her wrist. She gasped, but another hand quickly covered her mouth, stifling the sound. A familiar yet distant scent of cool woodsmoke filled her senses.

***