Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 316

Noreen blinked. “Excuse me?”

For a split second, she seriously considered throwing everything in her hands right at his face.

This was the so-called “important matter” he’d dragged her here for? Was he out of his mind?

Before Noreen’s irritation could fully ignite, Seth spoke again. “My father doesn’t approve of the engagement. He won’t come to the party, and I can’t force him. His health is already fragile—you know that. Evelyn told me he’s barely eating, and he’s been really down lately. So I was wondering…”

“You want me to talk Mr. Harcourt into attending your engagement party?” Noreen’s look said she thought he needed a psych evaluation.

Seth hesitated. “No. I was hoping you could spend some more time with him. He won’t listen to anyone these days—except you and Evelyn.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” she replied flatly. “I already promised Evelyn I’d check in on him.”

“And…” Seth’s eyes flickered cold and distant as he looked up, his gaze unfocused. “My father might do something reckless. On the day of the engagement—could you stay with him? Just in case?”

Noreen raised an eyebrow. “You know your fiancée already sent me an invitation, right?”

“Don’t bother with that,” he said quietly.

Of course. Bianca had been looking forward to this engagement for ages; the last thing she’d want was anyone turning it into a sideshow. Sending Noreen an invitation was just her way of flaunting her victory.

Noreen had never planned on going anyway. Waste of her time—and her chance to make some money.

Seth was being awfully considerate of Bianca’s feelings, Noreen thought with a twinge of annoyance.

“Anything else? Go on, just get it all out,” she said, glancing at her watch as if every extra second with him was a personal affront.

Seth lowered his lashes. His voice was unreadable. “I’m counting on you to look after my dad.”

As she sipped her herbal broth, a thought crossed her mind. She messaged Evelyn, “By the way, why is Seth drinking this stuff too? Is he sick?”

“Oh, he caught a nasty cold a while back,” Evelyn replied. “It drained him, and he’s been coughing ever since. Nothing from the doctor helped, so now he’s on this herbal remedy.”

Noreen vaguely remembered hearing that Seth had been ill, but she hadn’t realized it had dragged on so long.

Even now, with his own health frail, all he could think about was getting engaged to his precious Bianca.

True love really did conquer all, she thought with a wry smile.

She no longer suspected Seth was possessed or anything supernatural. At this point, she was more inclined to believe Bianca had some kind of love potion—or maybe a built-in “irresistible charm” device.

Otherwise, how else could you explain Seth risking everything—his ailing father’s wishes, his family, his career—just to chase after love?