Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 300

But Healy always found some excuse to politely decline, never giving her even the slightest chance.

Yet now he was deep in conversation with Noreen…

He was so engrossed, in fact, that when she and Seth walked in, he didn’t even notice. Clearly, the two of them were completely absorbed in their discussion.

Could it be… Healy was interested in Noreen?

That couldn’t be possible, could it?

Noreen was beautiful and certainly capable, but even so, it was hard to imagine Healy falling for her.

She decided she was probably overthinking it.

Hadn’t Jude said Healy was already interested in someone else?

He and Noreen must just be talking about work—nothing more.

Besides, it wasn’t likely that even someone as charming as Noreen could win over a man like Healy.

The meeting was scheduled for ten o’clock and was led entirely by Bianca.

Noreen was puzzled, as she hadn’t seen Vincent anywhere.

Normally, for a meeting this important, the head of Ascendancy Group—Vincent—should have been the one running things.

Yet everyone else in the conference room seemed perfectly calm about it, as if they were already used to Bianca taking charge of Ascendancy Group affairs.

Noreen had been preoccupied with her own work lately and hadn’t paid much attention to what was going on at Ascendancy Group.

Carman had mentioned in passing that Seth had handed over management of Ascendancy Group to Bianca.

She’d assumed Seth was just saying that to placate his old flame or make a show of it, not actually giving her real authority.

After all, Ascendancy Group was the core asset of Aurelion Group.

She hadn’t expected things to have reached this point already.

Wasn’t this just handing Ascendancy Group over to Bianca on a silver platter?

She wondered if this would affect their partnership going forward.

Over lunch, Sophia filled Noreen in on the latest gossip she’d picked up at Ascendancy Group that morning, finally resolving the questions brewing in Noreen’s mind.

…

Bianca went all out and booked The Eastern Gardens for dinner.

They had barely arrived when Castle showed up.

Bianca and Seth were quick to rise and welcome him.

It was, after all, Aurelion Group’s event; the others, though eager to connect with Castle, knew not to overstep.

Bianca greeted Castle warmly, setting aside her usual pride and adopting a surprisingly humble manner.

Yet Castle’s attitude toward her remained cool and distant.

He shook her hand, but only out of politeness.

Bianca, eager to dispel any prejudice Castle might have against her, personally pulled out a chair and invited him to sit.

But as Castle glanced around and caught sight of Noreen on the other side of the table, his eyes suddenly lit up.