Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 146

"I know I can't really hold my liquor, but I still wanted to take a drink for you. I figured, if I could handle one for you, that's one less you have to drink…"

Those simple words seemed to chase away the winter chill lingering over Harborcrest City.

Noreen didn't add anything more.

Carman was quiet for a long time before she finally asked, as gently as she could, "Are you okay?"

Noreen looked a little puzzled.

Did she really look that bad?

Carman stammered, "Just now, when the car passed by, I saw Mr. Harcourt. He rolled up the window right in front of you."

Noreen's expression said she'd nearly forgotten about it until Carman brought it up. "Honestly, it doesn't really bother me anymore."

She meant it, whether or not Carman believed her.

"In this world, no one can stick by your side forever. And there's no one you absolutely can't live without."

"Life goes on, with or without anyone."

——

The next morning, Bianca was woken by a knock at her door.

Assuming it was Seth, she hurried over, only to find Jude standing there with a suitcase in tow, fresh off a flight to Harborcrest City.

"Surprised to see me?"

Jude grinned, his suitcase blocking the hallway.

"What are you doing here?" Bianca asked, genuinely caught off guard.

"I'm here to learn from the best, of course!" Jude craned his neck, peering over her shoulder. "Where's Seth? Still asleep?"

"Yeah, he's not up yet."

"Oh no! Am I intruding?" Jude slapped his forehead dramatically, pretending the thought had just occurred to him. "I'll just wait for you guys in the dining room then! Take your time, no rush, don't worry about me!"

So did Bianca.

Noreen, on the other hand, was never included in that category. Jude had never bothered to hide his disdain for her.

In his eyes, Noreen had gotten ahead at Aurelion Group by relying on her looks and connections—climbing her way up to chief secretary through backdoor deals and favoritism, shamelessly aspiring to trade her way up the social ladder.

What a joke.

At least Seth hadn't fallen for someone as calculating as Noreen. He'd come to his senses just in time.

"Bianca, help your little brother out, will you? If I keep this up, Dad's going to cut me off for good!" Jude pleaded, only half joking.

Last year, his father had given him half a billion dollars to try his hand at investing.

Jude, true to form, managed to lose it all in under a year.

His dad was so furious, he ended up in the hospital for a week, vowing to cancel Jude's credit cards and ship him overseas if he didn't finally get his act together.

Bianca couldn't help but smile at Jude's dramatic complaints. "Alright, as it happens, I've got something lined up today that should open your eyes. Watch carefully and see what you can learn."