Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 349

Noreen Gilmore had given Padgett Novak’s proposal some serious thought, but in the end, she turned him down—gently, but firmly.

It wasn’t for any particular reason, really. It was just that when it came to love, her heart had long since gone numb.

If she were thirty—well, maybe she’d have considered it. After all, that’s the age when people start weighing their options more carefully.

Or if Padgett Novak were twenty-six or twenty-seven, she might have accepted his offer, just to see where things could lead.

But as fate would have it, Padgett was thirty-one, right at the age when everyone starts pressuring you to settle down.

And she had just come out of a seven-year relationship. Her heart felt like it was encased in ice—she simply wasn’t ready for anything new.

If she said yes, she’d only be wasting Padgett’s time.

In the end, she couldn’t come up with a single good reason to string him along.

Padgett, ever the gentleman, took her refusal in stride. Not a hint of resentment crossed his face.

After dinner, as he walked Noreen to her car, he allowed himself to cross the line just a little. “Miss Gilmore, you really should try giving yourself a chance.”

Once they parted ways, Padgett got a call from Henry Brooke, inviting him out for a drink.

Padgett hesitated for a moment before replying, “I feel like having a drink tonight.”

On the other end, Henry sounded surprised. “Something on your mind?”

In Henry’s experience, Padgett had always been the picture of composure and rationality—which was exactly why the family had chosen him for a career in public service. He was built for it.

But this was the first time Padgett had ever suggested grabbing a drink.

When they met up, Padgett nursed several glasses in quick succession, silent and brooding.

It wasn’t until Henry pressed him repeatedly that Padgett finally admitted, “Got turned down by the girl I like. Not feeling great.”

“Who could possibly say no to you?” Henry was genuinely curious.

Padgett had it all—looks, pedigree, impeccable manners. He’d been chased by girls ever since they were kids.

So Henry really wanted to know who this mysterious woman was, the one who’d had the nerve to turn Padgett down.

Padgett nodded. It was a solid plan. He promised he’d try to make the connection.

But another name came to mind, and he mentioned it to Henry. “Have you thought about bringing Winrich into this? Noreen’s sharp, forward-thinking, and she’s got that InnoCore project up her sleeve. Plus, she’s got all the right connections in the Rivercrest Chamber of Commerce. Working with her would be a win-win.”

To his surprise, Henry’s face clouded over at the suggestion. “Let’s leave Noreen out of this.”

He had no patience for women who, in his mind, schemed their way to the top by cozying up to men.

People like that had no place as his business partners.

Even though Mrs. Joyner herself had cleared Noreen’s name in a video call, Henry still harbored a deep-seated prejudice.

Maybe Castle Joyner, with his rigid sense of integrity, hadn’t fallen for her tricks.

But what about Seth Harcourt?

He’d seen it with his own eyes.