Chapter 192


    ra was still gnawing at the rock–hard loaf of bread Sienna had baked with more enthusiasm than


    skill. The message on her screen was so unexpected that she nearly chipped a tooth on the dense


    bread.


    Noe walked in just in time to see ra furiously typing away, surrounded by what looked like a pile of


    charcoal briquettes.


    “What are you researching there, ra? Charcoal?” Noe quipped, peering at the ckened lumps,


    “Noe, darling, I might as well be analyzing these for their carbon content to figure out why they’re so


    sted hard! But s, these are Mom’s so–called ‘breads“.”


    Noe, well–acquainted with Sienna’s culinary catastrophes, gave a diplomatic assessment. “Well, it’s


    an improvement over herst batch. Praise where praise is due.”


    But let’s be honest, the improvement wasn’t really obvious.


    ra gestured Noe toe closer to theputer. “Look at this, I’ve got a string of anonymous


    texts. I pulled some strings to track the sender, and guess what? It’s Yates Gruber, the eldest son of the


    Gruber family. What could he possibly want with me?”


    Her phone number was under strict supervision, with all iing messages logged by her superiors.


    Considering the texts mentioned Phoenix Lab, she decided to dig deeper. ra was a woman who


    trusted data over gossip.


    She was more interested in why Yates reached out than the vague threats he mentioned. After Noe


    nonchntly recounted the recent events at the Grubers‘, ra’s frown was so sharp it could slice


    through the tension.


    “So, that dimwit failed to charm you and now he’s knocking on my door? Genius must run in the Gruber


    family,” ra scoffed.


    Yates probably assumed that after seeing his messages, ra would inevitably get in touch. His


    follow–up text was an invitation to dinner, of all things.


    ra snorted and hit ‘report‘.


    “Protected numbers like mine aren’t handed out to just anyone. If Yates is privy to so much dirt on


    Phoenix Lab, maybe he’s the instigator. He can exin himself to the State Security Bureau.”


    Reporting Yates on suspicions of tampering with state secrets was quick work for ra. Noe could


    almost picture the look on Yates‘ face when he got the call from the authorities – definitely not his best


    moment.


    After sending the report, ra was in high spirits. “Come on, Noe, let’s hit the shops! Whatever you


    want, it’s on me!”


    10-56


    She lowered her voice conspiratorially, “You have no Idea, I’vee into quite a bit of cashtely.


    Donations from the Pock family, from our parents, from our brothers – I’m rolling in it!”


    Initially, ra thought the first deposit from the Schnabel family was a prelude to being kicked to the


    curb. Turns out, Tristan, Sienna, and her brothers just felt sorry for her. The Pocks didn’t hesitate and


    cut her in on some shares. And then there were the


    unexpected funds from the Richardsons,


    Resting her head on Noe’s shoulder, ra’s voice grew muffled. “I’ve had it too easy, Noe. I’ve


    never known hardship within our family. I’m not the one to pity. It’s me who stole the life you were


    meant to have. I’m sorry.”


    The mere thought of Harriet’s revtions – all the experiences that should’ve been her sister’s –


    brought tears to her eyes.


    Noe felt a warmth in her heart, knowing these were words ra had longed to say. She smiled


    gently, patting ra’s hand infort.


    “It wasn’t your choice to make. You’ve done nothing wrong. There’s no need for apologies.”


    ra nodded against Noe. “I’ve got the what to do.”


    paternity test results, Noe. I… I don’t know


    The numbers confirmed her suspicions, but seeing them in ck and white left her feeling


    adrift.


    “My mother… she doesn’t recognize me, doesn’t remember me.”


    ra tried tough it off, but the tears came anyway. “I tried to see her, Noe, but she… she doesn’t


    remember me at all.


    Forgetting one’s child was pain enough, but being forgotten cut ra deeply.


    Feeling the dampness against her neck, Noe stayed still, offering a silent ear as her sister poured her


    heart out.


    “I already have the best mother in the world. Is it too greedy to want more?”


    Noe shook her head. “She’s your birth mother. It’s natural to think about her. Whatever made her


    forget, there’s always hope for a day when she’ll remember.”


    But when that day mighte, Noe couldn’t say.


    The reasons behind Lavinia and Harriet’s amnesia likely stemmed from outside forces, yet whether


    they were the same could not be discerned. How Harriet regained her memories was also a mystery to


    Noe. With the past entangled in parts of Pris Star unknown to Noe, unraveling the truth would


    be no simple task.


    Comforted by Noe, ra’s mood eventually evened out.


    10.56


    Her sister was the best indeed, always knowing how to soothe her!


    Her phone chimed, and ra tapped to put the call on speaker.


    “Ms. Schnabel, I meant no offense. I just wanted to share some information about Phoenix Lab. Why


    are you so cold?”


    ra looked to Noe for confirmation; it was indeed Yates on the line.


    “Then spit it out, Yates. If it’s something the higher–ups haven’t disclosed, how in the world did you


    come by such information?”


    “Heh, the Gruber family has its fair share of secrets that you might not be privy to. If you’re curious, I’d


    like to extend an invitation to dinner. I’m an open book, ready to spill the beans on anything you wish to


    know.”


    “Not interested. I’m afraid just the sight of you would make me lose my appetite. Since you insisted on


    calling, spill it- who’s the puppet master behind Phoenix Lab?”


    Yates knew the moment he got off the phone with the State Security Bureau that ra Schnabel was


    no easy nut to crack.


    However, her aloofness only piqued his interest further. A fool would be no match for him, and he was


    sure she was anything but.


    “Ms. Schnabel, what I’m about to reveal might knock your socks off. Are you sure you want to hear


    such sensitive information over the phone?”


    “Spit it out or I hang up.”


    Yates choked on her icy demeanor, his carefully curated, suave grin faltering!


    Were all daughters of the Schnabel family this impervious?


    He was seething.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    This infuriating woman, nothing but an adopted nobody from the Schnabels, acting all high and mighty


    like some untouchable queen! If she ever fell into his clutches, he’d show


    her!


    “Ms. Schnabel, the snake in the grass looking to trip you up at Phoenix Lab is closer than you think.


    You ce your trust in the Schnabels, yet they’ve never truly seen you as one of their own.”


    ra rolled her eyes and flipped her phone the bird at Yates‘ number.


    What kind of moron did he take her for? Who still tried to sow discord between her and the Schnabels


    these days?


    With a coldugh, she challenged, “So, who’s out to get me? You seem to know so much, Yates.


    Surely you know which Schnabel is gunning for me, right?”


    10.56


    Yates smiled with unfounded confidence Ms. Schnabel, a rising star like you naturally


    steps on toes. The one who wants you gone is none other than the recently returned Noet Ms.


    Schnabel, you’ve been trusting the wrong person all along!