Chapter 226


    ncing at the designer outfits hugging the frames of Noe and Malvina, the shopkeeper knew


    instantaneously that these weredies with deep pockets!


    Rich folks, especially young heiresses, were his favorite–they were the easiest to dupe, swallowing any


    story he spun.


    Ladies, looking for some fine jade? Everything in my store is top–shelf material!” he boasted, his face a


    grotesque mask of greed despite his attempt at a weing smile.


    Noe observed the hands of the shopkeeper. Theycked the calluses of a man who’d done time in


    the underworld, let alone the skilled hands of a true jade connoisseur. Clearly, he was a chatan hired


    to swindle unsuspecting customers.


    Sensing their silence, the shopkeeper feared letting two cash cows slip through his fingers. “Our pieces


    are unique treasures you can’t find just anywhere. Take this bangle, for instance–it’s top–of–the–line


    ssy Type!”


    Noe eyed the bangle in his hand, a chunk of resin masquerading as luxury. “A high–end piece made


    of stic?”


    The shopkeeper’s hands trembled–a giveaway,


    How had the girl discerned the fraud?


    Maintaining hisposure, he shed another smile. “Ah, I see you have an eye for quality, miss.


    Then perhaps this piece will meet your standards. Genuine ssy Type!”


    Noe arched a brow. “ssy Type made of actual ss?”


    The shopkeeper’s smile faltered. His counterfeits were usually top–notch, but this youngdy saw


    through them with just a nce? In the past, when daughters of fortune came shopping for jade, they’d


    be fobbed off with resin or ss imitations. However, it seemed they had encountered a true


    connoisseur this time.


    The shopkeeper’s demeanor shifted as he scrutinized Noe.


    She appeared young, barely twenty, perhaps a novice in the world of jade, having picked up a trick or


    two from her family’s dealings? If she truly understood the value of jade, she wouldn’t have set foot in


    his shop–something any genuine aficionado would know. After all, not a single item in his store was a


    genuine ssy Type.


    “You’re not here to shop? Then what do you want?” he asked, a hint of hostility creeping into his voice.


    Noe’s gaze was icy as she replied, “We’re looking for the real boss of this establishment”


    “I am the boss. What business do you have with me?”


    “You’re not.”


    Even a shop dedicated to selling fakes wouldn’t have a clueless man at the helm.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    With a dismissive nce, Noe took Malvina by the arm and they left.


    The shopkeeper watched them leave, sensing something amiss


    Had these two young womene merely to cause trouble? If they were looking for a fight, he


    wouldn’t let them leave unscathed.


    His expression deepened as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number


    After narrating the events, the person on the other end chuckled coldly. “Tail them. See which store


    they enter. If someone’s trying to mess with me, make sure they never return home!*


    As Noe and Malvina appeared on the surveince feed, the caller’s gaze shifted to a man shrouded


    in the shadows.


    The middle–aged man who’d just issued threats suddenly wore a different expression.


    “Mr. Larson Pock, that girl is Palmer Pock’s darling. You really want to cross her here?*


    Larson leisurely sipped his drink, ncing at Noe on the monitor. Even through the grainy footage,


    her graceful figure was evident.


    “Palmer is still wet behind the ears, choosing such a naive girl. She’s pretty, sure, but she’s nothing but


    a canary”


    His smirk was cruel. “Td love to see if Palmer’s reaction will be more entertaining than the past if he


    finds his canary breathless.”


    “But she is from the Schnabel family. If we harm her, how will we exin ourselves to the Schnabels?”


    “Once I take the helm of the Pock family, even the Schnabels won’t dare cross me!” Larson’s


    confidence was palpable.


    Palmer’s mother hade from a simr background, yet they hadn’t touched him. As long as he


    remained a Pock, all he needed was for that young fool to die in despair, leaving the leadership role


    open. What could the Schnabels do to him then?


    “Send a few men. It won’t take much to deal with that girl. Just make sure she breathes herst. And let


    it be slow. After all, I’d like my dear nephew to witness his sweetheart’s final moments”


    “Understood fl see to it immediately”


    10.43 G


    Chapter 226


    Exiting the jade shop, Noe led Malvina to an antique store across the street


    Upon entry, the curt voice from behind the counter greeted them. “Look around if you must, but I doubt


    you can afford anything here.”


    Noe replied coldly, “Megrez, what in this store could possibly be beyond my reach?


    Hearing the familiar voice, Megrez looked up and instantly swapped his disdain for sycophancy. “Heh,


    Boss, what brings you here?”


    “We’ve got some tails. Take care of it.”


    Malvina was baffled. Tails? Someone was following us? I didn’t notice anything!”


    She watched in astonishment as Megrez pulled a sniper rifleplete with a silencer from under the


    counter and sauntered out the door


    Her jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared at Noe. “Honey, aren’t the people you associate with a bit


    too… wild?”


    But when she turned back, Noe was already reclining on a rocking chair within the shop, eyes closed


    in rxation, sipping coffee, with a mysterious cat nestled on herp.


    The serene scene almost made Malvina forget the sounds of struggle and screams emanating from


    outside.


    1 § 2 2 3 2 601 32 32 0 3 1 9 2 3 9 € 2 3


    Surely, it had to be her imagination.


    Noe opened her eyes and beckoned to Malvina with a wave. “There’s a stool over here,e take a


    seat. It won’t be long; the line isn’t too crazy. We’ll be done in no time.”


    “Alright!”


    Half an hourter, Megrez came whistling back inside, casually wiping a smudge of blood from his


    cheek. “Boss, they were all sent by


    Larson Pock,”


    Megrez felt a tinge of disappointment. “Too easy. They spilled the beans after just a couple of threats.


    Not a single tough nut in the bunch. Doesn’t give me much of a thrill, you know?”


    Larson? That must be Palmer’s distant uncle- bold enough to cross her and clearly on Palmer’s bad


    side. Think she’s an easy target?


    That’s augh and a half!


    Noe settled back into her chair, closing her eyes, her hand gently caressing the sleek, soft fur of her


    cat.


    “Another group’s on their way, so get ready for your thrill. Not one left standing”