Chapter 374

Yvonne's expression softened at those words. "A toast, everyone," she said, raising her glass. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me."

Meanwhile, Healy had excused himself from a business dinner. As he was leaving, Jude Wilder caught up to him. "Where are you going? Take me with you!" The endless shop talk was putting him to sleep.

"You sure?" Healy asked nonchalantly.

"Definitely! This dinner is torture."

"I suppose it's fine. You know her, after all."

"Who?" Jude pressed.

"Noreen."

Jude's face fell. "You know what? I think I'll go back and listen to the boring shop talk after all."

"I told you that you wouldn't like it, but you had to ask," Healy teased. "Is this what Noreen's reputation has come to?"

"I'm out," Jude said, turning away. He was convinced she was bad luck for him. Just as Healy arrived at The Moonstone Bistro, so did Bianca. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. "Healy, you came! I thought you said you couldn't make it?" Healy's mind briefly blanked. He hadn't expected to run into her. Scrambling for an excuse, he asked, "Why isn't Seth with you?"

"He had a family matter to attend to but said he'd pick me up later," Bianca explained. "The party's already started. Let's go in."

"Sorry, I'm actually here to meet a friend," Healy demurred. "Please say hello to your mother for me."

Bianca's smile faltered, but she kept her composure. "Well, you could at least stop by for a minute to show your face. You know I've always considered you a friend."

"I'll see," Healy replied vaguely. He gave her a slight nod and walked into the restaurant.

Bianca watched him go, her expression cool. Instead of heading to her mother's private room, she followed in the direction Healy had gone.

Healy had just knocked and entered a room, the door not quite latching behind him. As Bianca walked past she glanced inside and saw Noreen. Her brow tightened for a second

before she smoothed her

expression, a flicker of

wno This content belongs to find[ɴ]ovel.net

disappointment in her eyes.

Noreen was surprised to see Healy, though she quickly guessed Mrs. Naylor had tipped him off. He, however, claimed he'd heard by chance that she was here and thought he'd stop by to say hello,, remarking on the coincidence Noreen didn't call him out on it, simply inviting him to sit.

She and Vincent had nearly finished their meal before he arrived, so it wasn't long

before their dinner concluded. Noreen stepped out first to settle the bill and ran

into Yvonne, who was flagging down a waiter to order more dishes.

Noreen didn't know Yvonne personally but recognized her from the bid presentation with Bianca.

Assuming they were close, shaet

ignored her and went straight to the front desk. The hostess informed her that the owner had already taken care of her bill.

"I know, but I'd feel better if I paid," Noreen insisted.

The hostess hesitated, about to call Mrs. Naylor, but Noreen stopped her. "I'll

speak with Mrs. Naylor about it later, don't worry."

After paying, Noreen was about to return to the room when someone else walked

in. She glanced up instinctively and saw Seth.

He saw her too. Before she could look away, he was walking toward her.

"Stomach problems, and you're still eating spicy food?"

Noreen's brow tightened. What was he playing at? He must have had an ulterior motive.