Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 256

“I’m really not cut out for project management. You’ll want to talk to Seth about that.”

On the other side of the table, Matthew Cole glanced at Noreen, gauging her reaction. When he saw she seemed calm, he relaxed a little.

Honestly, as a man himself, he’d felt a sting just hearing Seth’s words:

“We were only together for seven years. It’s not like we were in love for seven years.”

Even he thought that was a cruel thing to say—he couldn’t imagine how Noreen managed to take it.

He wanted to offer some words of comfort, but Noreen’s attention wasn’t on the others in the room. She checked her watch and asked, “So, when is Mr. Brooke supposed to arrive?”

“Should be any minute now,” Matthew replied quickly.

Noreen waited another half hour, but Mr. Brooke never showed. Eventually, Matthew had to call his assistant for an update.

The answer came back: Mr. Brooke had a last-minute engagement and wouldn’t be coming.

Matthew looked apologetic. “Sorry, Ms. Gilmore. I’d hoped to introduce you to a potential investor…”

After so many years in business, everyone knew what “last-minute engagement” really meant. Mr. Brooke simply didn’t think Winrich was worth his time—a small, new company with little reputation. He’d just blown them off. It wasn’t the first time, and Noreen didn’t take it personally. “Well, I suppose Mr. Brooke and I just aren’t meant to cross paths.”

“He’s very young, only twenty-three. Just finished grad school overseas. Only son in the family, so he’s been spoiled since he was a kid—pretty arrogant, does whatever he wants. Not exactly easy to connect with, but his family’s company has the biggest cash flow in the country. If he’d come on board, funding would never be a problem.”

“I know you did your best.”

But fate was fate; there was no point forcing it.

Noreen felt a rush of gratitude and thanked him.

Wade was quiet for a moment, then said, “It’s the least I owe you.”

She arrived at the dinner early, and it was half an hour before everyone finally showed up.

To her surprise, Seth was among them. Then again, it made sense—he was a director of the Chamber, after all. This was exactly the kind of event he’d be expected to attend.

Once Seth had taken his seat, the vice president, Chase Naylor, stood up to speak. But Seth interrupted, “Let’s wait a moment. I have a friend joining us.”

Noreen’s heartbeat skipped.

She knew instantly who was about to walk through that door.