CHapter 15


    “President, Mr. Sexton has been itching for you to tie the knot so he can cuddle his great–


    grandchildren already.”


    Palmer replied with a cool detachment, “He’s already got three great–grandkids, and with his


    current health, he can’t even lift one.”


    The youngest of the Pock family’s great–grandchildren was five, andst year, Sexton threw his


    back out picking one of them up, and he wasid up in bed for two weeks.


    Xander was speechless.


    “Don’t be so hardheaded with Mr. Sexton. His health isn’t great, and besides, the Pock family and


    the Schnabel family are well–matched. The Schnabel boys are all top–notch, and Ms. Schnabel is


    surely no slouch, either.


    This marriage has been set for ages, decided by the Schnabel and Pock families together. You’ve


    got to consider the reputation of the Schnabel family, too.”


    Palmer slightly lifted his eyelids. “Zip it, or you’ll be the one marrying Ms. Schnabel.”


    Xander quickly mmed up. He was fifty–three, not exactly in the marrying age bracket!


    At Rising Glory Mall


    Briony clutched her little purse, her eyes brimming with eagerness. “Mom, is the handkerchief we


    reserved finally in stock? We gotta snag it this time!”


    Master Azure’s designs required not just a reservation but a mad dash to purchase.


    Even with a reservation, it was just a ticket in whether you can actually buy anything is a


    matter of fate.


    Belinda chuckled with pride. “Of course, for my darling daughter, I’ve rallied all our servants to help


    nab that Master Azure design. Didn’t you say Milford’sing with you today, sweetheart?”


    Briony blushed, shyly saying, “Milford texted that he’s stuck in traffic. He’ll bete.”


    Just thinking about her gentle and tall fiancé, soon to be all hers, Briony felt a surge of pride.


    The Rosenbergs had a slightly higher standing than the Lamberts; Belinda had to pull all sorts of


    strings for the Lamberts to climb the socialdder through the Rosenbergs, but luckily, Briony has


    always been close with Milford since young.


    The mother and daughter waited in line to enter the mall, with Briony standing on tiptoes, scanning


    the crowd for Milford.


    There would be plenty of socialites here today; she had to keep an eye on Milford and show


    19-12


    those women that such a catch was hers!


    Noe had just entered Rising Glory Mall, ready to get in touch with Kital, when someone blocked


    her path.


    “Noe, is that really you? I’ve missed you so much!”


    Noe was puzzled.


    Who was this nutjob?


    Milford had been eyeing the crowd for fresh talent for his ser team when he spotted a figure in a


    light green dress, graceful and alluring, especially that face absolutely bewitching!


    It was Noe!


    “Even though you’re no longer Mr. Lambert’s daughter, in my eyes, you’re still my fiancée. If you’re


    willing. I can take you back to the Rosenberg family right this moment.”


    Noe was speechless.


    What kind of big, sick joke was this?


    “Noe, it’s always been you for me. It broke my heart to learn you’re not Mr. Lambert’s daughter.


    I’ve been unable to eat or sleep since you left; I’m in tears every day…”


    Noe frowned. “Who the heck are you?”


    “Noe, I know you still resent me, but it’s pointless. You must have feelings,


    hold a grudge. I know you love me!”


    Noe almost gagged on her breakfast.


    me if you can


    “Milford? Your family won’t need to buy oil for the next decade; you’re greasy enough.”


    Milford’s known for being a yboy, always on the prowl for pretty women, with nine out of ten


    phones for keeping women’s contacts.


    He even had his mistresses numbered down to their height, weight, and menstrual cycles…


    “Noe, I can’t live without you!”


    Noe, tired of the nonsense, raised her hand and pped Milford across the face.


    Milford, about to use his physical strength to pull her hand into his embrace, instead took at solid


    p to the face.


    Milford was stunned.


    How could Noe hit so hard?!


    In the distance, Briony screamed, “Ahh! Noe, you bitch, stay away from Milford!”


    Dragging Belinda, she raced over. Seeing Milford holding his face, she felt a pang of sympathy.


    “Milford, is she still bugging you? She’s so vile!”


    Belinda looked at Noe with disgust. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you go back to Emerald


    County? Did you know Briony and I wereing to Master Azure’s store and deliberately staking it


    out? Let me tell you, you’re no longer part of our family.”


    Briony, clinging to Milford’s arm, disyed her im. “Sis, I know you still have eyes for Milford. but


    he’s my fiancée, and you have nothing to do with him. Please don’t disrupt our life, okay?”


    So pretentious.


    Noe slightly frowned and nced at Belinda and Briony. “If you’re sick in the head, go see a


    doctor; the cure rate for delusions is pretty decent.”


    Belinda, about to blow her top, suddenly saw the still–closed mall doors swing open.


    Beckett, in a sharp suit, stood at the entrance, his usually cold face softened upon seeing Noe.


    “Noe,e here.”


    Noe walked over to Beckett, and soon the mall doors closed again.


    Briony, watching Noe’s retreating figure, wondered, “Mom, what’s going on with Noe? Who was


    that guy just now? He seemed… not ordinary.”


    Belinda gritted her teeth and spat out, “That chick must be too proud to crawl back to her backwater


    town and decided to use her pretty face to snag a rich guy! She’s really living up to her lowly fate.


    Briony, if she everes crawling to you, you better give her the cold shoulder!”


    Briony nodded in agreement, then turned to chat with Milford but caught him still eyeing Noe.


    Damn that Noe!


    Why was she still hogging everything even after she was gone? It was clear as day that both her


    parents and Milford should be hers!


    Climbing the socialdder? As if Noe, a country bumpkin, had any right to!


    Briony pouted and yanked at Milford, cooing. “Milford!”


    Milford was clearly distracted, muttering a few soothing words to Briony. He believed Noe must


    still be head over heels for him. That guy earlier was obviously someone she roped in to make him


    jealous. What a silly girl.


    Given his catch, it was no wonder that a girl like Noe, who had nothing going for her except her


    looks, would be smitten.


    Beckett whisked Noe off down the corridor.


    “Why didn’t you give me a heads–up before showing up? I would’ve sent someone to pick you


    1. up. Azure’s packed today: what if you got squished in the crowd?”


    Noe shook her head. “I didn’t want to disrupt your work.”


    Beckett’s heart melted!


    “Listen to that, my little sis is just so considerate and sweet! Those brats at home could never say


    something like that.” He thought.


    Beckett felt like his life wasplete.


    “It’s all good, Noe. Whenever youe, it brightens up my day no matter what.”


    “Okay, got it.”


    Beckett recalled the scene he had witnessed earlier. Was someone hassling his sister?


    He frowned slightly. “What happened earlier? Tell me, and I’ll sort it out for you.”


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    “It’s nothing, just ran into some trash that crawled out of the bin, not worth mentioning.”


    Beckett called over his secretary and ordered, “The folks who were hassling the young miss earlier,


    kick ‘em out. And ban them from all Rising Glory properties – stores, malls, hotels. cklist them!”


    “Yes, Mr. Schnabel.”


    Noe was somewhat surprised. Rising Glory Industry had a nationwide presence; if they


    cklisted the Lambert family, Briony wouldn’t be able to shop in any decent mall again.


    “Noe, you remember you’re the Schnabel family’s little princess. Nobody gets to give you a hard


    time, not even me.”


    Noe nodded, showing she took the words to heart.


    “Thanks, Beckett.”