Chapter 176
Elara was as sharp as a tack, and when she found out that Noella ventured into Lockhart Prison to meet the former head of Heartfelt Orphanage, she knew there had to be a good reason. It was clear to her that Noella was determined to help her find her biological family, even if it meant putting herself in harm’s way.
Noella let out a soft chuckle, feeling a warmth bloom in her heart.
Elara leaned against Sienna’s shoulder, feigning concem. “What are we going to do? Now I’ll have to compete with Noella for Mom’s attention.”
Sienna scolded her lovingly. “Nonsense, I’m already your mom. I changed your diapers and nursed you when you were a baby. Even if your birth mother came back from the dead, she couldn’t take you away from me!*
Although the Schnabels hoped to find Elara’s birth parents, Sienna secretly dreaded the day they might appear. Her daughter, so intelligent and considerate, was hers to keep. If Elara’s biological parents turned out to be unreliable like Noella’s foster parents, Sienna was adamant she wouldn’t let her go.
Noella nodded in agreement. “Yeah, having you at home is perfect. I like Elara.”
Elara’s face bloomed like the spring after a long winter, her smile radiant. She turned to the four Schnabel brothers sitting in the back of the SUV, her eyebrows arching triumphantly.
“Did you hear that? Did you all listen? If not, I’ve got it recorded – I’ll play it back on loop for you, so you know who the favorite really is!*
Stirling, eager to join in, piped up. “Noella, come on, say you like your me best!”
Jasper countered. “That’s ridiculous, she obviously likes me the most.”
Sienna snapped. “How old are you to be squabbling over things like this? Elara’s your little sister! Immature brats.”
Before her sons could wallow in disappointment, Sienna’s tone softened as she gazed at Noella with delight. “Noella, darling, you do love me the most, don’t you?”
The Schnabel brothers fell silent, a collective sigh hanging in the air.
Noella, feeling a bit cornered, reassured each member of the Schnabel family in turn.
Palmer leaned into the video call, greeting everyone politely. “Regardless of Elara’s choice, we’ll respect it. But since it involves my uncle, I’ve also sent the recording to Grandpa. I hope you’ll understand.”
Sienna nodded, acknowledging the necessity. “Sure, Sexton should be informed. But Palmer, your uncle…”
Sienna’s face twisted slightly with distaste.
Tristan burst out angrily, “Aren’t all the sons from the Pollack family cut from the same cloth? If Palmer ends up like his dad or uncle, he can forget about marrying Noella for life!”
Palmer’s position as the heir to the Pollack Group was partly due to Sexton’s sons being less than capable. After his wife left, Palmer’s father had taken off on a global escapade, completely indifferent to family affairs. Jacob also lacked ambition, and if it weren’t for a business prodigy Palmer emerging in this generation of the Pollack family, Sexton might still be punching the clock.
Sienna voiced her concern, “Noella, when are you coming home? Why do I hear explosions in the background?”
To keep Sienna from worrying, the Schnabels hadn’t told her about the nature of Lockhart Prison.
Noella kept her composure. “Oh, they’re just blasting fish out of the water.”
11:45
Nist of Slanna began to relax, X
booming laughter echoed through the phone, Noelle
them! A bunch of idiots trying to break out of Jall. Watch me blow them away! Don’t worry, everyone need is alive!
Sienna’s brow furrowed in confusion, slowly turning to her children.
Blasting fish.., with that kind of noise?
The Schnabel children hastily nodded in agreement.
“Oh, yes, that’s right, Mom. You must have misheard.”
Relieved, Sienna urged, “Then come back soon, baby. I miss you.”
“Will do.”
After ending the call, Noella’s smile faded, and she turned to Xavier with a cold gaze. “Can’t you keep it down?”
This man, who communicated solely through shouting, was practically bursting her eardrums.
Xavier scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, grinning. “Sure, you’re right about everything. I will do whatever you say!”
“Where are they?”
Xavier proudly replied, “Hanging outside! Strung up for everyone to see!”
After all, Noella had only asked for a living person, not one with all parts intact.
Noella sighed at Xavier, then turned to Palmer beside her. “Didn’t you ever notice something was off with him when you communicated before?”
Palmer spread his hands in a helpless gesture, looking at a smug Xavier. “I did, which is why Annie usually deals with him. He’s old, so just let him off.”
Conversing with Xavier always gave Palmer a headache, so he left the task to Annie, who invariably needed to recover from the auditory trauma after each call.
Noella remarked, “Being your assistant is no walk in the park.”
Palmer chuckled affectionately, gazing at Noella. “If my fiancée is sympathetic, she could marry me sooner, and we’d give Annie as long a vacation as our honeymoon lasts.”
Noella dismissed the idea without mercy. “Pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Watching her swiftly walk away, Palmer knew his fiancée was just shy and chuckled softly before rushing to catch up.
Outside the grim black tower, a tall woman with a smart pixie cut and dressed in camo gear approached
Xavier.
“Xavier, did Vocalist come here? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Xavier flicked away his cigarette butt, his voice cold as steel. “Back off, Lyra. I’m not your secretary, am I? Plus, Vocalist was here with his fiancée. Should I have told you so you could send them a wedding gift?”
Lyra’s expression shifted from excitement to shock in an instant.
When had Vocalist gotten engaged?
“No way. Xavier, you’re yanking my chain, right?”
Xavier shot her a frosty look. “What makes you think you’re even worth the joke?”
2/3
11.45
Noella’s voice floated from behind them, Didn’t I tell you to keep it down? So tacky
Xavier’s face morphed into a grin, chuckling. “Right, right, keep it down.”
Lyra’s gaze was glued to Palmerl
She was finally seeing him again!
Vocalist…
Palmer wrapped an arm around Noella’s waist, pulling her close, his voice soft and soothing. “Are you pissed or just playing coy?”
“Neither. I just think you’re delusional.”
She had never mentioned anything about marrying him; he was the one with the wild imagination.
Palmer tapped her pert nose affectionately. “Alright, I’m the delusional one. So, my fiancée, any idea what pill I should pop to cure me?”
Xavier shivered with a mock chill, annoyance edging his voice. “I reckon you need rat poison; just drop dead already. Can’t you see Noella’s fed up?”
But Noella didn’t push Palmer away, and Xavier knew he was probably the only one who was truly irked! Kids these days… no sense of decorum!
Seeing the way Lyra’s eyes were practically falling out of her head and sticking to Palmer, Xavier knew she was up to no good.
In the past, Xavier might have enjoyed the spectacle. But now? Anyone who dares to vie with Noella for things or people, he’d be the first to burst their bubble!
Xavier eyed Lyra with a cold detachment. “Got the picture? If you’re here to drop off a wedding gift, just hit my bank account. If it’s anything else, beat it!”
