Hearing the news, Noreen felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
It was good that he was out.
Noreen didn't ask any more about Seth's situation.
Seeing that Claire was not in a good state, she let her go home early.
Claire didn't want to stay there either, especially not to see that shameless pair.
So she went along with Noreen's suggestion and left the party early.
Only after settling Claire did Noreen return to the banquet hall.
Felix arrived with Madeline just before the party officially began, coming over to greet Noreen.
Originally, Noreen had no particular opinion of Felix and Madeline; after all, they had hardly interacted before.
But not long ago, Madeline had snatched a role that Claire had fought hard to win, and she'd done it with Felix's help.
So Noreen wasn't very warm toward them; in fact, she was rather cold.
Madeline couldn't help but overthink it. When Noreen went to give her speech, she frowned and asked Felix, "Felix, Ms. Gilmore seems quite cold to me."
Felix dismissed it. "Probably because she doesn't know you well."
But Madeline didn't think that was it.
As a woman, she could keenly sense Noreen's dislike for her.
Besides, the role she'd pried from Claire hadn't even warmed her hands before someone else snatched it away from her.
Madeline had inquired privately and was told the order came from the boss of Winrich.
But she had no connection with the boss of Winrich; there was no reason for them to target her like that.
So she suspected that Claire might have some connection to Winrich.
But that thought was quickly dismissed.
What kind of connection could Claire have with the boss of Winrich?
She was just an orphan!
If it weren't for Old Mrs. Quigley's affection for her, what right would she have to marry Felix?
That was what Madeline hated most!
In the elevator.
Sophia looked at the intoxicated Noreen with a sense of helplessness. "Why did you drink so much?"
Noreen's voice, thick with alcohol, was a bit husky. "I was happy today."
The company's relocation was indeed something to be happy about, but not enough to warrant drinking so much.
When they reached the main entrance, Sophia saw the person waiting by the car, and her expression tightened.
She instinctively glanced at Noreen, who was rubbing her forehead.
She must have been feeling dizzy from the alcohol, so her attention wasn't focused ahead.
Besides, Seth was wearing a mask, and his clothes and hairstyle were completely different from before.
It would be hard to recognize him without a close look.
Even so, Sophia's heart was pounding.
Seth silently opened the car door.
Sophia steeled herself and helped Noreen into the car.

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