CHapter 32


    As Noe watched Jasper expertly swipe his card, a slight headache crept over her.


    Nevertheless, the knowledge that a portion of this hefty sum would find its way into Beckett’s pocket


    made her feel less uneasy. Perhaps she could also go a little easier on Beckett’s mall in the future!


    During Jasper’s checkout pause, Noe whispered, “Get someone to keep an eye on Vincent and


    nt some people near Grandma Harriet’s grave. We can’t let anyone mess with her final resting


    ce.”


    She was always worried that Vincent, backed into a corner, might do something disrespectful to Old


    Mrs. Lambert, and that would surely break her heart up in heaven.


    “Got it, boss. You’re really bringing your own brother to the store to boost sales, huh? I was


    wondering who was this VIP that could get me to close the store for a private event!”


    Noe didn’t know how to reply.


    Jasper confidently signed off on the bill and waved at Noe. “Let’s go upstairs and have lunch with


    Beckett!”


    “Sure.”


    Jasper was in a great mood after buying Noe a ton of clothes and led her to the rooftop restaurant


    where Beckett had previously taken her for a meal.


    Inside, Beckett had already arranged the dishes, standing sharply dressed by a table adorned with


    flowers. He graciously pulled out a chair for Noe.


    “Thanks.”


    Beckett pped his hands, and the servers came marching in,ying out an array of appetizers in


    front of Noe.


    “Give these a try, Noe. They’re the new creations from my restaurant.”


    The cakes in front of her were exquisite, each one crafted into a cute and tempting shape. Noe


    took a bite with a gold–ted spoon andplimented, “Delicious. Must’ve added some lemon


    juice. It’s got a nice aftertaste without being too rich. This dessert’s a bit off, though. The cocoa


    powder ratio kind of masks the cake’s own vor.”


    Beckett nodded and summoned the head chef.


    Chef Jakes, decked out in his chef’s hat, was initially miffed at someone nitpicking his desserts.


    These folks simply couldn’t grasp the refinement of his desserts!


    When he learned it was the Schnabel family’s recently returned youngdy pointing fingers, he


    couldn’t help but think, how could a country girl who knew nothing about fine desserts


    15:35


    Jakes stepped out with the server and saw Noe, poised and dining gracefully.


    He couldn’t believe his eyes.


    Wasn’t this the genius girl who had critiqued his cooking back Franse? Her feedback had helped


    him secure a championship in an international culinarypetition!


    Recalling Noe’sments on the desserts, Jakes felt a twinge of embarrassment flush his face!


    Noe also didn’t expect Jakes to be the pastry chef at Beckett’s restaurant.


    “Apologies, Ms. Schnabel,” Jakes conceded, “I’ll refine my craft. Clearly, the recipe for this dessert


    was a mistake, unworthy of your refined pte!”


    Beckett coolly ordered, “Remove it from the menu. Noe finds the cheesecake delightful, so let’s


    keep that. The rest, we can do without.”


    “Yes, sir!”


    Jakes wiped the sweat from his brow, gave Noe a bow, and left with the parade of failed cakes.


    What a humiliation!


    The restaurant manager rushed in and halted before Beckett.


    “Mr. Schnabel, a few cops are here, saying they need to speak with the youngdy.”


    Beckett and Jasper nced over, their faces a mix of sternness and concern.


    “They want Noe? Did they mention what it’s about?”


    “No, they said the youngdy should be aware.”


    Beckett frowned. “Could it be rted to the kidnapping? But why haven’t they contacted us? I


    reported it, and Jasper is Noe’swyer. Why are theying directly to her?”


    Noe was at a loss for words.


    That exined how Belinda and Briony got caught; Beckett was the one who called the cops.


    “I’m not sure. Let them in,” Noe said.


    Beckett and Jasper exchanged looks and instructed the manager to allow the police to enter.


    Three detectives in international police uniforms strode in and stood before Noe, nking her as


    they presented a banner.


    [Thank you, Noe. The International Police Organization salutes you!)


    The officers saluted Noe. “Thank you for your outstanding contribution to Operation D Action!


    Salute!”


    Noe was left speechless. She had reiterated countless times that she didn’t need a banner;


    12:26


    where would she even put it?


    “Next time, don’t bother. I’ve got no room for this.”


    She had received one before at the Lambert’s, and Belinda, disgusted by its tackiness and how it


    shed with the house’s decor, scolded Noe, telling her not to bring home such worthless things.


    Beckett immediately stood up, his face wearing a gentle, schrly smile. “Noe is just joking.


    We’ve got plenty of space at home. Can’t thank you enough!”


    Jasper stepped forward, taking the banner, grinning from ear to ear, happier than if he’d won a


    case. “Thanks foring all this way. Noe wasn’t involved in anything dangerous, was she?”


    To his knowledge, receiving an de from the international police typically indicated something


    quite risky. Since the banner didn’t specify the operation, it must be highly ssified!


    More than the banner, they were concerned for Noe’s safety.


    Noe quickly rified, “No, it was just that time at the bar when I bumped into some shady–looking


    guys. Something felt off, so I called the cops.”


    Beckett reached out to shake the leading officer’s hand, his aura of authority shining through. “I’ll


    escort you out.”


    “No need, we’re due back once the banner is delivered!”


    After seeing off the cops, Beckett realized he was covered in a cold sweat!


    “Noe, are you absolutely sure nothing sketchy went down? I mean, it’s great that you received a


    commendation banner, and I’m super proud of you. But let’s be real -our family isn’t exactlycking


    in des. You don’t need to put yourself at risk for recognition, you know? Your safety is what


    matters most to us!”


    Just recalling thest time he ran into Noe at the bar and she got mixed up in some shady


    business, it scared the bejesus out of him!


    If only he had insisted on keeping Noe by his side all the time!


    Noe quickly rified, “Beckett, I didn’t do anything dangerous. I just made a call and tipped off the


    cops, that’s all.”


    Beckett and Jasper breathed a sigh of relief.


    Catching sight of that bright red banner, Beckett started to ponder where to hang it.


    “Let’s p it up in the living room! Right next to that Mystic Jade Scenery!” he suggested.


    The Mystic Jade Scenery in the living room was thest masterpiece by a contemporary painting


    master before he kicked the bucket, fetching a whopping six hundred mil at auction. Her little


    banner next to that magnum opus?


    Jasper chimed in, “No way, it should go in my office!”


    Noe felt even more speechless.


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Everyone who stepped foot in Jasper’s office was either a billionaire tycoon, a heavy–hitter in


    politics, or some big–shot from the international scene. Her banner hanging there? Talk about


    embarrassing.


    “Let’s just take it home for now. Noe is such a badass. We need to throw her an arty party to


    celebrate!” Beckett dered.


    Noe just didn’t know what to say.


    This was the tiniest banner she’d ever received. She’d even gotten a medal of honor for her part in


    an international rescue op. If they started showing off everything she’d been awarded, wouldn’t the


    Schnabel family end up practically worshiping her?


    Seeing how pumped her brothers were, Noe just swallowed her words.


    Oh well, she’d let them find a spot for it and then sneakily whisk it awayter!