Chapter 155


    ra was still reeling from the chaos when theb’s hefty door swung open, and in strode Jacob, the


    head honcho of Phoenix Lab, tralled by a posse that meant business. He cast a mocking nce


    around the room, his chuckle sending a chill down everyone’s spine.


    “Step out for a quick pow–wow, and look what happens–this ce turns into a regr circus! Ryker,


    Zack, you two really outdid yourselves, didn’t you?”


    Jacob exuded an air of authority that was unmistakable, a natural–born leader with an innate sense of


    command. His entourage included a squad of SWAT members who stepped up to grace Ryker and


    Zack with a pair of shiny silver bracelets.


    With aposed aura, Jacob eyed the crowd. “This mess has ruffled some serious feathers. I’ve


    called in the big guns for an investigation, so let’s all put our pet projects on ice and y ball. If there’s


    any more rotten apples in Phoenix Lab, they won’t find sanctuary here!”


    He was fuming!


    His own turf, his own mess, and it had to be some otherb that blew the whistle.


    During the meeting, as he showcased theirtest breakthrough, he didn’t hesitate to click on the


    iing video. The content, now witnessed by the creme de creme of the scientificmunity, was


    out of the bag, and all Jacob could do was watch helplessly as the footage yed to its embarrassing


    end.


    Now, these two had made a name for themselves all right–a name that would live in infamy!


    Phoenix Lab’s reputation was in tatters!


    As the two culprits were escorted out, Jacob was practically steaming.


    After sorting out the fallout, he finally approached ra and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.


    “Rough day, huh? Take a couple of days to yourself, ra. Oh, and introduce me to your sister, would


    you?”


    ra eyed him warily. “Boss, my troubles are nothing to sweat over, but why the sudden interest in my


    sister? You’re pushing fifty–don’t tell me you’ve got… you know…”


    She gave him a look that mixed disdain with suspicion, as if he was some sort of creep.


    Jacob’s patience wore thin, and he pped her shoulder in exasperation.


    “Cut me some ck, will ya? Can’t I meet my future niece–inw without you jumping to conclusions?


    Get your mind out of the gutter!”


    He whipped out his phone, shing ra a photo of himself with Sexton.


    In the picture, Jacob stood proudly next to Palmer, the family resemnce clear, and the domestic bliss


    unmistakable.


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    Chapter 159


    Rubbing her sore shoulder, ra gaped at the photo. “Boss, I heard rumors you were some tycoon’s


    kid, but Sexton… Wait, what are you doing in research?”


    Wouldn’t it be sweeter to take over the family empire? Was the Pock fortune not enough, or was the


    lure of theb too strong for Jacob to resist?


    Pocketing his phone, Jacob said cryptically, “Isn’t Ms. Schnabel of the Schnabel family also in


    research?”


    ra pouted, trying to mask her own sense of defeat. “I’m not like you.”


    Realizing something, her eyes suddenly widened. “Wait a minute! Boss, don’t tell me you’re not his real


    son?”


    “Watch your mouth, I’m as real as theye. I’m talking about my ideals, my dreams–you wouldn’t get


    it. Let’s go meet my niece–inw!”


    He had given theb a day off and rushed back just to meet her.


    “That’s fine, but don’t mention any of thisb drama to Noe, okay? I don’t want her to worry.”


    As Jacob and ra made their way out, he nodded in agreement. “Well, given that your grandmother


    Freya is aware, it’s certain that the Schnabel family won’t be kept in the dark.”


    During the meeting, Freya had been at Jacob’s side, and when the video surfaced, her expression was


    one of sheer fury, as if she was ready to storm Phoenix Lab herself.


    The thought alone made Jacob shiver.


    ra, scratching her head in irritation, began to strategize how to exin things to her family when


    they came across Noe, standing amid the flower beds, engaged in a phone call.


    Theb’s garden, usually a hub for experimentation, also served as a serene escape.


    Noe, dressed in a light blue sundress, stood against the vibrant garden backdrop, her long, silk hair


    elegantly pinned up, revealing a neck as delicate and fine as porcin.


    Palmer’s deep, maic voice came through the other side of the line. “When are youing back? I


    miss you.”


    “Soon, in a few days.”


    “Should Ie to you? Thepany’s pretty quiet right now.”


    “No need.”


    Just ncing at the schedule Annie sent to her inbox, Noe could imagine the Pock Group was


    anything but quiet, what with taking over three multinational corporations. The finance team probably


    hadn’t had a break in ages.


    And Palmer iming he wasn’t busy? What about Annie mentioning he hadn’t eaten all day because of


    meetings?


    ra wrapped an arm around Noe. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Who’s on the line? Let me


    11:15


    introduce you to ourb director, Mr. Jacob Pock.”


    Noe met Jacob’s gaze with a polite nod. She was about to speak when ra whispered


    conspiratorially. “He’s apparently Palmer Pock’s uncle. He asked to meet you, and I was worried he


    might have… ulterior motives. The Pock men don’t exactly have the best rep. If you don’t like Palmer


    Pock, I’ll find you a better match in theb. Though, none of them are worthy of our Noe.”


    Noe’s lips twitched as she was about to correct ra, only to hear Palmer’s icy retort from the


    phone, “Ms. Schnabel, is it decent to poach right in front of me?”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ra recoiled as if hit by a bolt of electricity. “Noe, why didn’t you tell me you were talking to Mr.


    Pock?”


    Noe’s smile was tinged with exasperation as she looked at her sister. She had slightly altered her


    voice when she arrived at theb, adopting a different speaking style that ra wouldn’t recognize.


    Holding her phone, Noe softly addressed Palmer on the other end. “Sorry.”


    “No worries, it’s not the first time my fiancée’s family has said things like that. I’ll wait for them toe


    around. Jacob is indeed my uncle, and if there’s any trouble over there, he’s the guy to call.


    “Alright.”


    Palmer hung up the phone reluctantly and picked up the inte to his executive office. “Annie, I need


    a list of all the researchers at Phoenix Lab, especially the single male ones!”


    “What? Mr. Pock, are you… switching things up? What about Ms. Noe?”


    Palmer rubbed his forehead in frustration, grinding his teeth as he spoke, “Are you looking for an early


    retirement? We’ve got a project in Tanzania that’s short a project manager.”


    “I’ll send it right over! You must be checking to ensure Ms. Noe stays loyal, right? Don’t worry, your


    charm is unmatched! Ms. Noe and you are a match made in heaven!”


    *Hmph, that’s more like it.”


    Palmer nced at the documents in front of him, feeling an itch in his heart.


    Just hearing her voice seemed to unleash a whirlwind of longing within him, making him eager to see


    her again.


    Meanwhile, Jacob approached Noe with a gentlemanly smile. “Hello, Ms. Schnabel, I’m Palmer’s


    uncle. May I call you Noe?”


    “Sure, feel free.”


    Facing Noe, Jacob had none of the oppressive aura he carried as a sternb director; his face wa


    all smiles, as if afraid to spook her. “I’ve given ra some time off these past few


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    Chapter 155


    days so she can spend time with you!”


    “Thank you, Mr. Sexton.”


    “No need to thank me. You can just call me Uncle! If you run into any trouble in Emerald County, just let


    me know!”


    Noe agreed, watching as Jacob left with a look of pure joy on his face. He approved of this niece–in–


    law: she was beautiful, graceful, and poised–a perfect match for his nephew. And to think he had just


    overheard the always–stoic nephew making a phone call to her, that level of affection… it seemed that


    boy had fallen hard.