Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 49

Noreen asked casually, “What happened?”

“It’s Director Lowell–she shut down every project you had lined up! Not a single one left standing!”

Sophia was clearly hiding out in the restroom, her voice barely above a whisper.

Noreen was taken aback. “All of them? She rejected everything?”

“Yeah, all of them! Even the Al Initiative and that game development project you were so excited about.”

Sophia sounded completely exasperated.

Noreen frowned. “What did Mr. Harcourt say?”

“Nothing. Mr. Harcourt didn’t say a word.”

For a moment, Noreen’s mind went blank. But it didn’t take her long to figure it out.

Seth knew perfectly well which projects were worth investing in. If he didn’t say anything, it was only because the one doing the rejecting was Bianca. He was letting Bianca make her mark, making sure everyone in the company respected her

and fell in line.

Just like always–shielding Bianca, putting her in the spotlight.

“Do you think Mr. Harcourt’s been hypnotized or something? Since when does Ms. Lowell get to call all the shots?” Sophia grumbled, looking for someone to vent to.

“It’s simple. He’s just consolidating Ms. Lowell’s power,” Noreen said, resigned. At this point, she wouldn’t even be surprised if Seth announced he was handy the entire Aurelion Group over to Bianca.

“What does she need that much favoritism for? Is he planning on making her the next Mrs. Harcourt or something?”

Sophia had always been the type to speak before thinking. The words were out before she realized what she’d said, and she froze mid–sentence.

“Noreen, that’s not what I meant…”

Noreen stayed calm, even managing a joke. “Maybe you’re right. So you’d better keep your complaints to yourself–if anyone hears you, your job won’t be safe for long.”

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But Sophia didn’t care about herself. She just felt bad for Noreen

“Mr. Harcourt’s going to regret this, I just know it!” Sophia’s voice wavered her mind flashing back to the image of Noreen pale and lifeless in a hospital bed. Shed barely made it out alive.

“No, he’ll definitely regret it!” Sophia choked out, her frustration clear.

Whether Seth would regret it or not didn’t matter to Noreen anymore. Whatever happened, she was ready to walk away.

“It’s just a shame about those projects,” she said quietly, her composure unshaken. What really stung was having all that hard work dismissed so easily.

Sophia agreed, “Yeah, you put in all that effort–diligence, research, hand–picking each one. I wonder which lucky firm will scoop them up now.”

Sophia meant it as a passing remark, but Noreen heard something else in her words. If she started her own firm…could she take those projects with her? But all her connections and resources right now revolved around Seth and Aurelion Group. Once she walked out that door, who would still take her calls?

Dylan arrived right on time, clearly having coordinated with Dean Grayson in advance. He was already waiting when they walked into the office.

Dean Grayson greeted Dylan warmly, shaking his hand. “Mr. Wilder, right this way.”

Noreen didn’t know exactly who Dylan was, but it was obvious from Dean Grayson’s

attitude that he was someone important.

Dylan got straight to the point.

Dean Grayson hesitated. “The slots were finalized yesterday. It wouldn’t be appropriate to make changes now.”

Dylan said, “Miss Gilmore is a friend of mine.”

That put Dean Grayson in a tough spot.

Noreen stepped in, her tone earnest, handing over the materials she’d prepared. She explained her case as sincerely as she could.

Dean Grayson, not wanting to offend the eldest son of the Wilder family from Rivercrest City, made an excuse and stepped out.

He was gone for quite a while.

Meanwhile, Larson messaged Noreen, saying he’d shown her materials to a pant of experts at a recent conference. They were actually more intrigued by her proposal for Rosalind–it seemed more challenging to them.

Noreen felt a bit more at ease just as Dean Grayson finally returned.