Chapter 65


    Calvin got the scoop about Yvonne first thing in the morning when he swung by the hospital for rounds.


    He quickly threw on his clothes and dashed to the ICU to check on her. Seeing she was mostly okay,


    he could breathe a sigh of relief.


    Why on earth would she take a plunge into the water out of the blue? The sea was still freaking cold in


    spring!


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    “Mr. Schnabel do you think Miss Yvonne was all worked up and went off the deep end because of the


    school’s punishment?”


    Marcel was also clued in on Yvonne’s disciplinary action. The school had been fair and square. even


    cutting her some ck because of the Schnabel family’s rep. Otherwise, she’d be packing her bags


    and out on her ear by now.


    Marcel thought, “How did the kid I watched grow up turn into this hot mess?”


    “All worked up? What’s there to be worked up about? Just keep an eye on her until she wakes up, and


    then we’ll talk.”


    Calvin nodded and gave Marcel a thorough check–up. He was the go–to guy for these old–timers‘


    health and knew Marcel’s condition like the back of his hand. Last month’s shaky numbers are now


    looking way better!


    “Mr. Schnabel, you’re in such good shape. You could pass for a young buck! You’ve bounced back so


    much and could probably be homebound for some R&R next month.”


    Marcel, getting on in years, loved nothing more than good news about his health. “Really? Thank


    heavens for Noe’s magic touch with the meds. Can’t wait to get out of here – I’m starting to smell like


    disinfectant!”


    Marcel shot up from bed and kicked open the neighboring ward’s door, puffing himself up and boomed,


    “Sexton, I’m busting out of this joint next month! Hahaha! You can rot in here for all I


    care!”


    Sexton couldn’t sit still. He sprang up and grabbed Noe’s hand, begging with puppy–dog eyes.


    “Noe, I want to be discharged too! Please, Noe, I’m begging you!”


    Noe was about to turn him down, but looking at those big, sad eyes, she just couldn’t spit it


    out.


    “Fine, stick to the meds I gave you, get your daily checks, exercise, no staying upte, no picky eating,


    and you’ll be out next month.”


    “Yeah! You’re the best. Noe!” Sexton strutted over to Marcel, giving him a nudge with his shoulder.


    “It’s not just you with a granddaughter here, Noe’s my granddaughter–inw too!”


    “And if I say no, your boy Palmer is gonna stay a bachelor!” Marcel retorted.


    “You wouldn’t dare!”


    “Watch me!”


    Noe was used to the old coots scrapping like kids. At their age, they couldn’t really throw down, at


    most just yank a few hairs out of each other’s already thinning scalps.


    She turned to Calvin and whispered, “Ashlyn’s condition has worsened. Go check on her.”


    “Sure, I’ll send you a reportter. As for the old men here…” Calvin was practically starry–eyed looking


    at Noe, inches away from dropping to his knees and shamelessly begging for Marcel’s miracle


    recipe.


    “Help me out next time, then we’ll talk.”


    Calvin was floored! He might actually get a chance to see Noe in action!


    “Alright, I’ll go check on Ashlyn. You’ve got this!” As soon as he stepped out of the ward, Calvin


    expertly ignored the crowd that had gathered at the door.


    These big shots‘ visitors were always a circus, bringing gifts that ended up in the anti–bribery


    department by the truckload.


    Belinda perked up when someone finally came out, only to see a doctor in a white coat – not the


    Pock family VIP they were waiting for.


    She sized up Calvin, feeling he looked familiar but couldn’t ce him behind the mask. Maybe he was


    one of those Insta–famous docs.


    The Lamberts seemed a little deted. They were promised a visit from the Pock Group’s big


    cheese, and yet, no sign of him.


    Vincent grumbled. “Talk about undutiful. What time is it, and he still hasn’t shown up to see his


    granddad? We’ve been here all morning!”


    1


    Milford shot him a re when no one was looking.


    Like the Pock Group’s CEO needs to report his whereabouts to you. Get over yourself! Milford


    scolded inwardly.


    The Rosenbergs were here because Beckett had them by the throat in business. If they could cozy up


    to the Pocks, getting ckballed by the Schnabels wouldn’t be a big deal.


    Right now, the Pocks were the Rosenbergs‘ lifeline!


    Briony eyed Milford in his wheelchair, almost jealous. She could kill for a seat. Standing for five hours in


    heels, her feet were on fire.


    “Mom, is Palmer Pocking today or what?”


    “I don’t know, sweetheart. Just look at the crowd waiting!”


    But unlike them, this crowd seemed toe prepared, whipping out newspapers and plopping down


    on the floor like it was a pic!


    Was this how you ask for a favor? Or was this just how Imperial City folks rolled?


    2/3


    12:49


    Chapter 65


    And the hospital staff didn’t even bother to shoo them away. Standing with them, Belinda felt her own


    ssiness slipping.


    When the ward door swung open, there was Marcel, masked and hatted, being wheeled out by Noe.


    Seeing his get–up, Noe had to stifle augh.


    Marcel hated small talk. Whenever the ward got crowded, he’d cover his face to avoid identally


    rolling his eyes at the public.


    The moment she stepped out, the folks lounging by the door were up in a sh, ditching their


    newspapers and snapping to attention. They formed a neat, human wall in front of Marcel and Noe!


    “Mr. Schnabel, Army Unit 302 at your service to escort you!”


    The Lamberts and the Rosenbergs hadn’t even gotten over the shock of bumping into Noe here


    when they noticed the bunch of country bumpkins sitting around them suddenly rise up, exuding a


    fierce, military aura.


    Turns out, these weren’t farmers at all; they were special forces soldiers recruited from the military.


    “How many?”


    “Fifteen, all secured, Mr. Schnabel. Rest easy!”


    Marcel hodded with a smile. “A bit fewer than yesterday, not bad. Looks like it’s about time for me to


    head home. Hear that, Noe?”


    “Yes, I’ll arrange your discharge.”


    “Let’s go check on Ashlyn’s ward.


    After the bigmotion this morning, Sienna, even as virtuous as she was, she was still the


    Schnabels‘ grandkids‘ real–deal mom.


    Merrick and Marcel wererades in arms from their youth, and with his fiery temper, knowing his


    daughter was being slighted and the Schnabels did zilch, he’d be ready to raise hell.


    Noe pushed the wheelchair past,pletely ignoring the two families standing by the road.


    Milford’s itch started acting up when he saw how chummy Noe was with Marcel. He wondered what


    Beckett was thinking, allowing his secret sweetheart to take care of his own. granddad. Rich folks sure


    know how to live it up.


    Vincent was gobsmacked seeing Noe. “Noe, what are you doing here? Since when did you get to


    know Marcel, and you didn’t even tell me!”


    He was almost beside himself with excitement! Maybe Noe was a caregiver the Schnabels hired for


    Marcel. If she put in a good word, the Schnabels would definitely start seeing the Lamberts in a new


    light, giving them a leg up to thrive!