Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 173

"So, when will we get to toast at your wedding?"

Seth replied with something, but his words were lost in the background noise.

Carman glanced at Noreen, worry flickering in his eyes.

Noreen caught his look. "Do I have something written on my face?"

Carman shook his head.

"Then why do you keep staring at me?"

"…No reason."

"Eat your food."

Carman let out a quiet breath, relief easing the tension in his shoulders.

It really did seem like Noreen had moved on from Seth.

He was genuinely happy for her.

The dinner was just a casual get-together, no work talk allowed, so they wrapped up the meal in good spirits.

When it came time to pay, however, the server informed them the bill had already been settled.

Noreen glanced at the receipt, realizing Dylan had picked up the tab.

She shot him a message: Next time it's my treat.

Dylan replied right away, the smile on his face impossible to miss.

Bianca caught the change in his expression and paused, curiosity getting the better of her.

Her eyes flicked to his phone, trying to sneak a look at who had messaged him.

Dylan immediately locked the screen, hiding it from view.

She didn't get to see, but her instincts told her it was Noreen.

…

Once the new office space was finalized, Noreen found herself swamped with work.

Still, she managed to carve out time to visit Wade in the hospital.

She'd intentionally picked Wednesday, knowing it was Seth's busiest day of the week.

"Stubborn but soft-hearted," Evelyn muttered, but didn't press the issue. Instead, she picked up her phone and dialed Seth, hoping Noreen and Seth would run into each other. She couldn't help wanting to nudge them together one more time.

She wasn't expecting a woman to answer.

Evelyn froze, double-checked the number, and then, baffled, asked, "Who is this?"

Evelyn always set her phone volume to max, so even without speakerphone, everyone in the room could hear.

The voice was unmistakably Bianca's, and Noreen wasn't surprised. Seth and Bianca's relationship had been progressing smoothly—they did everything together. Answering each other's calls was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'm Seth's girlfriend, Bianca," she said politely. "Is this Evelyn? Is there something you need from Mr. Harcourt?"

It was clear Bianca knew exactly who Evelyn was. Her tone was courteous, a far cry from her usual arrogance.

"Girlfriend?" Evelyn glanced at Noreen, then replied coldly, "Funny, Seth's never mentioned you."

Bianca hesitated before responding, "I'm sorry. I should have visited Mr. Harcourt in the hospital, but Seth's been so busy, it slipped by."

Evelyn had no patience for small talk. If Seth wasn't going to answer, she had no interest in continuing the call. She hung up without another word.

Wade's expression grew even frostier. After a moment, he turned to Noreen. "Are you free this weekend?"

"I am," she replied.