Chapter 125
“Noella, I’m thrilled you’d consider going out with me. Does this mean you’ve been missing me?”
Noella had finally figured it out; that damn Phecda had used her account to send the message.
The folks at Polaris Star were a clever bunch, a nightmare to keep in check. They were all geniuses in their own right, with more tricks up their sleeves than a magician!
Even though Noella’s phone hadn’t left her side, they’d still managed to spoof her number and send a text to Palmer!
Megrez was whistling nonchalantly, a knowing look plastered on his face.
“Don’t worry, Boss, we’ve jammed the signals around here. Mr. Pollack’s grand gesture won’t draw any unwanted attention. At most, people will gossip online about some rich kid’s elaborate marriage proposal, making us an overnight sensation,” he boasted with a grin.
Noella sighed at her overly confident team!
Was this supposed to be a good thing?
Alioth, eyeing the roses, chuckled and said, “Mr. Pollack, if you don’t need these flowers, can we turn them into rose petal pies? We’ll even send some your way!”
“Be my guest. These are indeed edible roses, arranged just to brighten Noella’s day.”
Palmer wrapped an arm around Noella’s waist, showing no intention of letting go.
Noella took a deep breath. “Let go, or I’ll have to punch you.”
“A sparring session is part of dating, right? Next time I’ll book us a boxing gym. Does my fiancée prefer that to an underground fight club?”
Though his words suggested a challenge, his hands complied with her request.
Noella turned to face her subordinates, her smile amiable yet tinged with threat, “You’re all in for it now. Just you wait.”
A collective shiver ran down their spines as they clutched their necks and scattered!
Palmer chuckled affectionately, watching the Polaris Star team flee like startled animals.
“The people you work with seem to have a good vibe.”
He could tell they genuinely respected and admired Noella, loyally following her lead. It appeared the girl had quite the knack for leadership, managing to keep the renowned Polaris Star team by her side. Surely, there were more facets to her that he had yet to uncover.
And he wasn’t in a rush; there was plenty of time to discover all her qualities.
“It was Phecda who sent you the message, not me.”
Noella pulled out her phone, staring blankly at the message Phecud
(Dinner tonight? Missing you, my Palmy!]
Anyone with half a brain could tell it wasn’t from her, yet Palmer had believed it enough to show up!
Palmer laughed softly, his arm snaking back around her waist. “I knew it wasn’t you, but the truth is, I’ve been wanting to ask you out. So, I came. I’m not exactly sure how to woo a lady, this was all Annie’s advice. If it’s not up to scratch, my fiancée, I promise I’ll do better next time.”
He knew full well the message wasn’t from her, yet he had come just because he wanted a date? All because he wanted to see her?
“This was all put together last minute; I couldn’t find enough roses.”
He was aware of Noella’s fondness for roses, but sourcing such a large quantity on short notice was a challenge, which had led him to choose the more readily available, lush roses.
“No need for extravagance. Let’s keep it low–key next time.”
“Alright, next date will be at a new location, and I’ll have an even bigger surprise for my fiancée.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Surprises could wait; for now, Noella felt fortunate enough not to encounter any shocks stepping out the door!
Yet, feeling cherished was undeniably nice.
“They mentioned your experiment wrapped up. May I have the honor of taking my fiancée out?” Noella was speechless for a moment before replying, “Sure.”
She couldn’t bear the thought of returning to the lab now. She could imagine how the team would have teased her if she walked in. Since she had matters to discuss with Palmer anyway, it made sense to join him.
Palmer’s car was parked on the edge of the flower field. With a courteous gesture, he opened the door for Noella and then leaned in to fasten her seat belt with meticulous care. Yet, his presence, much like his scent, was subtle yet profound, seeping into her life and making it hard for her to ignore.
“May I inquire about the experiment my fiancée conducted this afternoon?”
“You guess.”
After a moment’s thought, Palmer raised an eyebrow. “Is it the paternity issue between Mr. Tristan Schnabel and the Schnabel family elders?”
Noella turned her head to watch the landscape fly by. While it was a family matter for the
deduce on his own.
“Ashlyn isn’t my biological grandmother, that’s all.”
The matter of Yvonne, however, required a discussion with Tristan to see his perspective, especially since Ashlyn and Yvonne were closer to him.
Palmer chuckled. “My fiancée appears aloof, but she’s actually a caring soul who values her family.”
He was always honest, eager to express his thoughts and feelings, at the very least to let her sense his fervent affection.
Noella rested her head on her hand, hiding the flush that crept onto her cheeks at his words.
When he spoke, it always seemed to carry an underlying meaning.
“I’m glad. It proves that after we’re married, you’ll care for me as much as you do your family,” his voice was laced with joy.
Listening to him, Noella’s heart skipped a beat.
Was familial care all he wanted from her? Perhaps for Palmer, she was merely a marriage prospect, nothing more?
A mix of disappointment and sorrow washed over Noella, leaving her momentarily dazed.
“I need your help with something. Name your terms.”
“Let’s hear it.”
་་
Noella pursed her lips and explained Tandy’s situation, then added, “Because my own people aren’t at Lockhart Prison… but if your Abyssal Organization needs information from other prisons, I can provide it free of charge.”
Palmer’s gaze remained fixed ahead, his typically icy and solitary demeanor softened by occasional glimpses of warmth, yet he carried an undeniable regal presence – the kind that spoke of long–held authority.
“I don’t need any other prisons‘ intel right now. Getting you into Lockhart isn’t the issue, but I’ll need to be by your side,” he spoke softly. “My friend only trusts me. You won’t get to see Tandy if you go alone. As for the condition, I need to give it some thought.”
This was the first time Noella allowed him to set terms, and he intended to make the most of it!
Noella spoke indifferently, “Don’t keep me waiting.”
Palmer chuckled lightly. “My term is simple. Until I’m ready to take you to Lockhart, I want you to think of me whenever you have a spare moment.”
His voice was cool, yet laced with a longing tenderness. “Noella, what I ask is for you to try and trust me a bit more. I’d help you regardless of any benefit to myself; not all emotions in this
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Chapter 125
world can be measured by profit. I like you for being you, not because you’re Wise Fool or anyone else.”
Palmer’s eyes met Noella’s, his words imbued with an assertive edge. “I hope, or rather, I demand, that you try to like me a little too.”
