Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 229

That kind of special holiday yesterday—it's just too easy for people to get the wrong idea.

Vincent could only offer an awkward smile. “Ms. Gilmore’s been waiting a while for you.”

Bianca finally glanced at Noreen, but didn’t bother with an apology. She simply flipped open her laptop and said, “Let’s just get started.”

“I’ll do the introductions—” Vincent began.

“No need. We already know each other,” Bianca cut him off. “After all, Ms. Gilmore’s from Aurelion Group. We’ve got plenty of history.”

With that, Vincent could hardly say anything more.

But Bianca switched gears immediately. “I looked into Ascendancy Group’s partnership criteria last night. For a small company like Winrich, there’s never been a collaboration before. You don’t even meet the threshold. I’m curious, Ms. Gilmore—how exactly did you convince Mr. Harcourt to agree to a partnership?”

Vincent sucked in a breath.

Why did this feel like a wife interrogating the mistress?

If he’d known it would be this much of a battlefield, he would have faked a sick day for sure.

Originally, Noreen had planned to keep things strictly professional—she’d always drawn a clear line between business and personal matters.

But since Bianca wanted to play dirty, there was no reason for Noreen to put up with it.

With a sharp snap, Noreen closed her laptop and turned to Vincent, who was already sweating bullets. “Vincent, please let Mr. Harcourt know: he proposed the partnership, he signed the contract with me. If there’s any issue now, he’s welcome to handle it according to the agreement. Compensation, penalties—whatever’s necessary.”

Bianca hadn’t expected her to fight back.

In her mind, Winrich should be grateful for any partnership with Ascendancy Group. The two companies weren’t even in the same league. She thought she could throw a few barbs Noreen’s way and Noreen would just have to swallow it.

She hadn’t counted on Noreen having any backbone.

Even so, Bianca didn’t back down. “I hope you’re thinking this through, Ms. Gilmore. Ascendancy Group has the country’s top performance chips—InnoCore can’t thrive without them. Letting emotions dictate your business is the worst possible mistake. Surely you understand that much?”

Now it wasn’t just snide remarks—it was a full-blown threat.

“Funny,” Noreen arched an eyebrow, “because it’s starting to look like you’re the emotional one here. What exactly are you so nervous about?”

Just like that, Noreen seized the upper hand. Bianca, already on shaky ground, found herself at a loss for words.

Bianca didn’t bat an eye. “Just wait and see—Noreen will come crawling to me.”

And when she did, Bianca intended to make sure Noreen knew her place, to humiliate her thoroughly and remind her exactly where she stood.

Just because she’d built InnoCore didn’t mean she could step all over Bianca.

Who did she think she was, anyway?

Lillian chimed in smugly, “Exactly. Who does she think she is? She can’t compare to you. Just look at Seth—he’s always on your side.”

That, too, made Bianca happy.

Even if Noreen had proved herself with InnoCore, Seth would never spare her a second glance.

“Just watch—she’ll be begging me for help within three days. I’m sure of it.”

Lillian grinned. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”

“Oh, and I made dinner plans with Healy tonight. Get yourself ready—you’re coming with us.” Bianca’s mood was positively buoyant.