Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 291

For a split second, Noreen wondered if she was hearing things.

She glanced at Seth, puzzled.

But then Seth repeated the words she thought she’d imagined.

“Noreen, help me pick out a tie.”

A surprised smile tugged at her lips. “What’s this? Did Mr. Harcourt finally get dumped by his dream girl?”

Seth ignored the jab, pulling a dark blue tie from the rack and holding it up for her opinion. “How about this one?”

“I remember most of the ties you picked out for me used to look like this.”

Her gaze drifted from the tie in his hand to the healing bruise on his forehead.

She paused for a beat before saying, “Looks like Mr. Harcourt took a nasty fall in that car accident. I’d suggest you get a full checkup at the hospital—if you wait any longer, it might be too late to fix your head.”

As Carman emerged from the fitting room in fresh clothes, Noreen didn’t spare Seth another glance.

Carman checked his watch and turned to her. “It’s almost dinnertime. Want to grab something together? Didn’t you say a few days ago you were craving some barbecue?”

Noreen didn’t even remember mentioning it, but clearly Carman had.

Still, she shook her head at his suggestion.

“Let’s go to that old place at Acuity Plaza for some coconut chicken soup. Your stomach’s been acting up lately—something light would be better for you.”

“Whatever you say,” Carman replied easily, as always deferring to her judgment.

Whatever Noreen wanted, that’s what they did.

The shop assistant packed up their purchases, and Carman took both his and Noreen’s bags as they left Myriad Atelier side by side.

Watching them walk away, the saleswoman couldn’t help but sigh to herself, “What a perfect couple.”

Seth tossed the dark blue tie back onto the rack, and for the first time, a crack appeared in his otherwise impassive expression.

Hearing the sound, the saleswoman hurried over. “Mr. Harcourt, would you like some help choosing?”

Seth stared at the tie for a long moment, then quietly asked, “Between him and me, what am I missing?”

Bianca pressed, “Why didn’t you call me? I could come keep you company.”

“No need,” he replied, “I’m almost done here anyway.”

When the call ended, Seth picked up his fork and forced down a few cold mouthfuls of food.

He barely tasted a thing.

. . .

The day of NaviTech’s anniversary gala arrived. Noreen and Carman showed up right on time.

It was everything you’d expect from a leading tech firm—lavish, with a guest list full of heavy-hitting investors.

This was always Noreen’s busiest time.

Carman stuck close to her side. He couldn’t drink much, so he wasn’t much help fending off toasts, but he made sure she was taken care of.

Unlike the other women at the event, Noreen wore a sharply tailored, deep green velvet suit—confident, striking, and utterly self-assured.