Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 486

"Ugh, Claire, we're eating. That's disgusting," Noreen grimaced.

Claire just laughed harder. "Seth eats it every day and doesn't seem to mind. What's the big deal if you just hear about it?"

"Stop it!"

Seeing Noreen was about to throw down her fork, Claire surrendered. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. But honestly, it serves him right to wear those horns for a little longer."

Noreen had to agree.

After dinner, the delivery Noreen had ordered arrived: a box of delicate pastries from the bakery Wade loved. It was a small token of gratitude for his help with the hospital room. When she knocked and entered his suite, she was surprised to find Seth there as well.

He shifted slightly as she came in, his deep eyes lifting to meet hers for a brief, emotionless moment. Noreen handed the box to Evelyn, planning to make a quick exit, but Wade drew her into a conversation about underwriters for the IPO. Noreen had been in talks with a few firms, but none of their proposals felt quite right.

"I have two excellent firms I can recommend," Wade said, handing her a folder he'd already prepared.

Noreen opened it to find information on the top two underwriting firms in the country. A company of InnoCore's size typically wouldn't meet their threshold for consideration, as they usually worked with multi-billion-dollar corporations. Noreen had never even considered approaching them.

Wade saw her hesitation. "If I make the introduction, they'll consider it."

Noreen was touched. The path of an entrepreneur was never easy, but she had been fortunate enough to meet people who had made the journey less arduous.

"I think Sylvan Core Technologies is a better fit for InnoCore," Seth interjected, joining the conversation. "They have experience in this sector. They led the Unity Holdings IPO in Stanton City, and it only took them 88 days to go from application to approval."

The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious. Evelyn was just about to suggest they all have dinner together when Seth's phone rang.

He answered it without hesitation. "What's wrong?"

The room fell silent. Even without speakerphone, they could faintly make out Bianca's voice on the other end. Noreen's expression remained neutral, as if she were used to this. Seth's, however, changed instantly.

"I'm on my way," he said, ending the call. He stood up abruptly. "Dad, Evelyn, something urgent came up. I have to go."

He didn't say a word to Noreen. She, in turn, saved herself the courtesy of a farewell and simply focused on the documents in her hands.

Only Evelyn muttered under her breath, a frown creasing her forehead. "What could be so urgent?"