Chapter 130
Every exhibition at the gallery was overseen by Petra and her team. Plus, since Merrick didn’t establish the gallery to turn a profit, and Travis wasn’t specifically in charge of the exhibitions, no one realized how much Petra had overcharged them!
She had been siphoning gallery funds all along, behind the scenes!
“No big deal just one look and you’ll know.”
She reviewed all the past exhibitions the gallery had hosted. Some of the materials happened to have been developed by Polaris Star, but after failing to meet Noella’s standards, their patents were sold to other labs. No one knew the cost of those materials better than her!
In addition, the markup in Petra’s quotes was outrageously high.
Indeed, the patents for those materials had been sold to the Gruber family’s corporation, while the successful Polaris Star products were marketed under their own brand.
Several material suppliers under Beckett’s control had long–term contracts with Polaris Star.
“Ms. Noella, even although Petra has been taken away, what about her team? Could they leak information about the exhibition? Will tomorrow’s event be compromised?” Travis found it hard to believe that Petra was capable of such deceit! After all, if she could embezzle from the gallery for years, she could just as well spill trade secrets to the Gruber family’s gallery!
“Don’t worry, I’ve made the necessary changes. We’ll start setting up as soon as the materials arrive.”
“Alright!”
Travis was still anxious about tomorrow’s exhibition, but Noella’s calm demeanor suddenly filled him with confidence.
Ms. Noella was so capable, she might have another ace up her sleeve.
After wrapping up at the gallery, the moon hung high outside the window.
Annie knocked on the office door. “Ms. Noella, Mr. Pollack is here to take you home for dinner.”
Dinner? Tonight was dinner at the Schnabel family home, and it seemed the elders must have been nagging her to come home already.
Checking her phone, sure enough, there were several messages from Marcel, wondering why she hadn’t come home yet.
[Noella, why aren’t you home yet?]
[Pick up a box of date and sweet potato pie for me on your way home, I’m craving it.]
(Oh, don’t worry if you can’t find it, no need to go out of your way, just come home!]
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A faint smile played on Noella’s lips, as if she could already see Marcel babbling on before her, eagerly anticipating his dessert.
[Grandpa, I’ll be home soon. Don’t wait for me for dinner, just start without me.]
Marcel replied almost immediately: [We must wait! Hurry back, darling!)
Noella rose, donning her coat, and continued discussing the details of tomorrow’s exhibition with Travis as she walked out.
Annie followed, her face adorned with a professional smile.
Ms. Noella was so captivating at work! Just listening to her give orders, Annie could feel the charismatic aura emanating from her every gesture. She was utterly enchanting.
“Ms. Noella, don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on things. Go home and enjoy your dinner.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Noella approached the Cayenne parked curbside, with Annie having already opened the door, respectfully waiting for her to get in.
Palmer sat inside, his gaze never leaving Noella for a second, burning with intensity like moonlight, until she got into the car. Every time he saw her, he found it hard to look away, as if he could never get enough.
“Could we stop by Eternal Joy Pastry first? Grandpa wants their confections.”
Annie was quick to respond, “Of course! Absolutely no problem!”
A trip for pastries was a trivial matter, given that it was Ms. Noella who gave the order.
Palmer cast a puzzled glance at Annie; why did his assistant seem so overly enthusiastic about his lady?
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Ms. Noella. Whatever you ask, Mr. Pollack will surely oblige!”
Annie’s heart trembled. Glancing in the rear–view mirror, she saw her boss looking at her with a displeased expression. Had she said something wrong?
After some thought, Annie realized her enthusiasm for Ms. Noella might have sparked jealousy in Mr. Pollack. But who could resist Ms. Noella’s charm?
To protect her job and future prospects, Annie chose to be the perfect assistant, always eager to please her boss.
True to form, Palmer’s mood seemed to improve at her words!
“Does my fiancée have a favorite dessert?”
“No, I’m not fond of sweets.”
Traditional desserts were often too sweet, but Old Mrs. Lambert also loved Eternal Joy Pastry’s
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date and sweet potato pie.
Remembering Marcel’s craving warmed Noella’s heart, reminding her of the wonderful bond within her current family. Yet, no one could replace her grandmother’s place in her heart. Although Old Mrs. Lambert would never again pester her for a slice of that pie…
Thoughts of Old Mrs. Lambert brought a wistful look to Noella’s eyes.
Palmer squeezed Noella’s hand, pulling her towards him and wrapping his arms around her
waist.
“Let go.”
“Just let me hold you for a moment; it’ll be quick. You might not realize, but reviewing all those financial statements is exhausting.”
Working for the Pollack Group was demanding, and before meeting Noella, Palmer practically lived at the office, seldom returning home.
But since knowing her, he found himself yearning to go home!
Even though his house was still stark, lavishly furnished like a showroom and lacking the warmth of a home, just standing in his own room and watching the light flicker behind the pink lace curtains in her bedroom was enough to keep him company through countless nights.
He longed for the day they could live together! Until then, even glimpsing her room across the vast garden was enough.
Noella was at a loss for words, taken aback by the intimate gesture. Yet, she didn’t push Palmer away.
She said in a matter–of–fact tone, “You know, you don’t have to work yourself to the bone.”
“You’re such an ingrate,” Palmer’s breath tickled her neck, warm and teasing like a feather brushing by, causing Noella to involuntarily shrink back. His voice was deep and seductive, with a hint of playful charm.
“I work hard, so I can spend more time with you,” he murmured.
Otherwise, why would he pile up all his work like this?
“But it seems my fiancée is a workaholic too. Looks like I’ll have to book an appointment to take you out on a date.”
He had waited outside her office for a long time. Her gallery office was encased in floor–to–ceiling glass, and Palmer only had to look up to see his girl bustling about inside.
Even just watching her like this made his heart race; every time he saw her, he couldn’t control the wild thrumming in his chest!
Outside the Eternal Joy Bakery, Palmer insisted, “I’ll go get it. It’s chilly out there.”
The night breeze in the city did have a nip to it, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her stepping
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out into the cold.
Noella sat in the car waiting, watching Palmer, dressed in his sharp suit, stride confidently into the pastry shop.
This man seemed to command the spotlight wherever he went, with the surrounding lights playing second fiddle to his presence!
Ten minutes later, Palmer returned to the car with an armful of treats.
“Why so many?” Noella asked, her brows knitting together.
Marcel needed to watch his sugar intake; he couldn’t have all these treats.
“I got something for everyone. Remember when you were picking out gifts and you told me to keep your family in mind? They’re going to be my family too.” His tone was gentle, his expression tender. “Noella, I love you, and I’ll love your family too.”
