Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1078

He let out a breathless laugh.

This woman... she was getting dangerous.

He reached up and rubbed his burning earlobe, an amused and completely whipped smile spreading across his face.

Seth stepped out of the car and leaned against the hood, letting the crisp night wind cool the sudden heat her words had ignited in his blood.

Once inside her apartment, Noreen checked on Rosalind before retreating to her bedroom.

She immediately texted Seth. "I'm inside."

She knew that if he didn't get a confirmation text, he would wait outside all night.

Letting him know she was safe had become second nature.

Just as she pulled a silk nightgown from her closet, Seth's reply lit up her screen.

This time, it was Noreen's turn to blush fiercely.

She had whispered to him:

"Not only are your teeth good, but you really know how to use your mouth, too."

And Seth's reply read:

[I'm glad I left you completely satisfied.]

...

Monday.

The moment Noreen stepped into the office, a furious Sophia stormed in right behind her.

Sophia was practically shaking with rage. "Director Yates crossed the line! It was bad enough he forced you to buy out his shares when Winrich was drowning, but now he's actively poaching our staff and stealing our projects!"

"Who got poached?" Noreen's voice was perfectly calm.

"Two investment managers from Department Three submitted their resignations to HR first thing this morning! They're both managing active accounts. Quitting right now means they're obviously planning to take those clients with them!"

"And the worst part is, those are Department Three's biggest projects for the fourth quarter! We poured massive resources into the initial stages, and they're just going to steal them?"

Noreen didn't blink. "They can only steal them if they actually make it out the door."

He leaned back, crossing his legs, looking as relaxed as if he were lounging in his own living room.

The face that used to greet her with obsequious smiles was now tilted upward, radiating unconcealed arrogance and contempt.

"Ms. Gilmore, do me a favor and tell HR to approve the resignations for the two investment managers in Department Three," he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension.

Noreen sat behind her desk, her fountain pen never pausing on the paperwork.

She didn't even bother looking up at him. "They'll be processed according to company protocol."

Director Yates let out a mocking laugh. "Protocol. Look, they already signed their letters of intent with me yesterday. I'm doubling their salaries and bumping up their titles."

"They're young, they need room to grow. You wouldn't want to stand in the way of their careers, would you?"

He deliberately paused, waiting for her reaction.

Noreen finally set down her pen, raising her calm, unwavering eyes to meet his.

Under her cold stare, Director Yates shifted uncomfortably.

He cleared his throat. "Ms. Gilmore, let's keep things civil. Burning bridges isn't smart. Holding them hostage just makes you look bad, right?"