They waited downstairs for a few minutes before Carman arrived, and then the three of them headed inside together.

It was peak rush hour–everyone was clocking in for work–so a crowd had formed in front of the elevators. It looked like they’d have to line up and wait their turn.

Fortunately, they still had plenty of time, so the three of them joined the queue like everyone else.

After about five minutes, a suddenmotion rippled through the crowd behind them. The people standing in line parted, making way.

The woman in front of Noreen tugged her aside. “Step back, don’t block the way. The boss’s wife ising.”

Quite the spectacle, Carman thought, feeling a little confused.

The entire building belonged to Ascendancy Group, and everyone here worked for thepany. So the “boss’s wife” they were talking about could only be…

Before Carman could finish the thought, he spotted Bianca.

She walked in nked by a secretary and an assistant, moving through the path the crowd had cleared just for her.

Heading straight for the executive elevator, Bianca scanned her fingerprint, then finally looked over at Noreen, waiting with the others for the regr elevator. A slight smile curled on her lips.

“If Ms. Gilmore and Mr. Holt don’t mind,” she said airily, “you’re wee to ride up with me in the private elevator.”

It sounded less like an invitation and more like an announcement.

Carman was about to politely decline, but Noreen epted with cheerful decisiveness. “Thank you, Director Lowell. That’s very kind.”

No reason to turn down a free ride.

She walked into the elevator confidently, and Carman hurried after her.

Sophia hesitated, made a face, and said she’d left something in the car and woulde up on her

own in a bit.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Noreen was already engrossed in the messages on her phone.

Bianca flicked her hair back and, with studied nonchnce, remarked, “It’s always so crowded at this hour. That’s why I use the executive elevator every morning–no waiting in line.”

Even Carman, oblivious as he usually was, couldn’t miss the smugness in Bianca’s tone. fn701a Readplete version only at find?novel/fn701a

But Noreen was focused on her phone, working through emails, giving Bianca not so much as a nce.

“Oh, that’s right.” As if remembering something, Bianca reached into her purse and pulled out an embossed invitation, handing it to Noreen. “Seth and I are getting engaged. I hope you’ll join us for

20:05

the celebration, Ms. Gilmore.”

Atst, Noreen looked up from her screen, her gaze settling on the gold–trimmed invitation.

She paused for a second. “Director Lowell, do you really want me to attend?”

Bianca hesitated, then replied, “Yes. I do.”

“All right,” Noreen said, taking the invitation.

Carman couldn’t help but think it looked less like an invitation and more like a gauntlet being thrown.

“And you too, Mr. Holt,” Bianca added, fishing out another invitation for Carman. “The more, the merrier.”

As she pulled it from her purse, a small square packet tumbled out andnded right in front of Noreen.

A condom.

Unfazed, Bianca bent down, picked it up, and dropped it back into her bag, all with perfectposure.

It was all perfectly natural, but there was something unmistakably deliberate about the gesture. Noreen had a sneaking suspicion Bianca’s entire purse was stuffed with invitations, ready to hand out to anyone in her path–eager to announce to the world that she and Seth were engaged.

But did she not realize what day it was?

Handing out engagement invitations on April Fool’s Day?

She and Seth really were a match made in heaven.

Noreen had barely made it to the conference room when Healy arrived.

Naylor Automotive was one of Ascendancy Group’s key partners, and their driverless cars relied heavily on Ascendancy’s powerful Al chips.

Healy was supposed to sit on the other side of the table, but when he saw Noreen, he changed seats so he could sit right beside her.

By the time Seth and Bianca walked in, Noreen and Healy were deep in conversation about the project, so absorbed that they didn’t even notice the others‘ arrival.

Seeing Healy and Noreen chatting so enthusiastically, Bianca’s eyes grew noticeably colder.

Not long ago, she’d been trying her hardest to set Healy up with Lillian.