Noreen replied, "Not entirely. A few of Winrich's partners have been affected, especially Eastvale Corporation, so we're feeling some of the ripple effects."

Wilbur wrote, "Good, good. I was worried you were all enjoying yourselves without me."

Noreen sent a single question mark.

She was truly blessed to have a 'senior brother' like him.

Wilbur defended himself, "This is what it means to share both fortune and hardship!" He then tried to console everyone. "Don't worry, it's just a small hiccup. We still have Master as our ultimate safety net. What's there to be afraid of?"

Halley has left the group chat.

Wilbur typed, "The old man can't take a joke."

While bantering with them, Noreen kept an eye on industry news. Rivercrest City was still quiet, with no whispers online. In fact, the morning news was still broadcasting the recent achievements of the very same 'big shot' who had been detained.

She had just been watching for a few minutes when Claire called. This time, it wasn't a video call, but a regular phone call. It must be urgent.

Noreen answered immediately. As soon as she said hello, Claire hit her with a shocking question.

"Noreen, did Aurelion Group go bankrupt?"

Noreen paused. "I haven't heard anything."

Claire was clearly agitated, her words tumbling out faster than usual. "I heard it from a friend. They're drafting an acquisition plan for Aurelion Group and getting people to assess its current market value."

"Who did you hear this from?" Noreen was puzzled. It was strange that there was no news at all in Rivercrest City, yet Claire, who was filming in the mountains, was the first to know.

Claire explained, "I heard it from my distant cousin's boyfriend. Her boyfriend works for the company that's planning to acquire Aurelion. And he said that Aurelion Group has already filed for bankruptcy."

"That jerk Seth is really bankrupt!"

"This is poetic justice!"

Claire exclaimed on the other end of the line.

Noreen's feelings at that moment were complicated. It wasn't exactly poetic justice,

but it wasn't tragic either. It was just... complicated.

But she was certain her complex emotions weren't for Seth's sake. She had spent seven years of her life helping build Aurelion Group, it held her sweat and effort. Seeing it fall she couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.

Eight years of her past flashed before her eyes like a sped-up film. She was an observer, watching it all unfold.

She had watched him build his empire, watched him feast with kings, and now, she was watching it all come crashing down.

"Noreen, are you listening to me?"

Claire's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. Noreen came back to herself. "What's the name of your distant cousin's boyfriend's

company? They must be qui net

powerful to be able to acquire Aurelion Group." sŵnovels

This time, there was silence on Claire's end. A few seconds later, the call dropped. A WhatsApp message from Claire came through.

"The signal is terrible in the mountains, the call cut out. Noreen, what were you asking me?"

Noreen sighed. Claire was as subtle as ever.

She gave her friend an out and didn't ask again.

Her thoughts drifted for a moment, then suddenly landed on the phone call she had rejected. When Seth called her that night, what had he wanted to say? Could it have been about Aurelion Group?

Noreen opened her call history and stared at the missed call, lost in thought.