Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 235

Thursday.

Noreen arrived at the government offices at Padgett Novak’s invitation to discuss the new public support hotline platform.

Padgett was a man who got things done—over the past few days, he’d already drawn up the platform’s blueprint and set out the requirements in detail.

All Noreen needed to do now was take the materials to InnoCore, coordinate with their team, and they could move right into the training phase.

Given InnoCore’s current algorithms and processing speed, she figured they’d have results in less than two weeks.

“Well then, I’ll look forward to your good news, Ms. Gilmore.” Padgett stood and shook her hand. “If you need anything else, just reach out. I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

Padgett glanced at his watch and asked, “It’s just about lunchtime. May I treat you to a meal, Ms. Gilmore, if you have the time?”

He was a great collaborator—efficient, polite, a real gentleman. Noreen saw no reason to refuse.

Padgett chose a nearby restaurant, just across from his office. It was convenient and had a pleasant atmosphere.

As they walked in, Noreen noticed most of the patrons wore ID lanyards from Padgett’s agency.

The waitress recognized Padgett right away, greeting him with a smile. “Director Novak, out for lunch with your girlfriend?”

Padgett must have been on friendly terms with the staff for them to joke with him like that.

“She’s a business partner from my department, not my girlfriend,” he replied, clarifying with a polite smile.

“Oh, sorry! You two just look so well-matched, I assumed you were a couple.”

Noreen paid the comment no mind; such things didn’t bother her.

Once the waitress understood they were colleagues, she seemed relieved and leaned in to gossip. “By the way, Director Novak, your ex is here for lunch too.”

“She’s not really an ex,” Padgett corrected with a slight shake of his head. “We went on a couple of dates, but nothing came of it.”

“Alright, but she was just asking about you.”

No sooner had the waitress finished speaking than someone began walking toward their table.

Just as she’d predicted, Seth had stepped in to back Bianca. Not just with words, either—he’d handed her the entire Port Redevelopment Project.

Matthew Cole’s project.

Matthew had spent over a year fighting for that deal, only for Seth to hand it over to his golden girl in a single stroke.

Noreen wondered how Matthew was feeling right now. Probably not great.

Not that she cared. At the moment, she had only one thought in her mind:

She wanted that project.

But with Winrich’s current capital and influence, there was no way she could compete with the Aurelion Group. If it came to open bidding, she’d be knocked out in the first round.

“Ms. Gilmore, is the food not to your liking?”

Padgett’s question pulled her out of her thoughts—she’d barely touched her fork.