CHapter 65


    Calvin got the scoop about Yvonne first thing in the morning when he swung by the hospital for


    rounds. He quickly threw on his clothes and dashed to the ICU to check on her. Seeing she was


    mostly okay, he could breathe a sigh of relief.


    Why on earth would she take a plunge into the water out of the blue? The sea was still freaking cold


    in spring!


    “Mr. Schnabel do you think Miss Yvonne was all worked up and went off the deep end because of


    the school’s punishment?”


    Marcel was also clued in on Yvonne’s disciplinary action. The school had been fair and square.


    even cutting her some ck because of the Schnabel family’s rep. Otherwise, she’d be packing her


    bags and out on her ear by now.


    Marcel thought, “How did the kid I watched grow up turn into this hot mess?”


    “All worked up? What’s there to be worked up about? Just keep an eye on her until she wakes up,


    and then we’ll talk.”


    Calvin nodded and gave Marcel a thorough check–up. He was the go–to guy for these old–timers‘


    health and knew Marcel’s condition like the back of his hand. Last month’s shaky numbers are now


    looking way better!


    “Mr. Schnabel, you’re in such good shape. You could pass for a young buck! You’ve bounced back


    so much and could probably be homebound for some R&R next month.”


    Marcel, getting on in years, loved nothing more than good news about his health. “Really? Thank


    heavens for Noe’s magic touch with the meds. Can’t wait to get out of here – I’m starting to smell


    like disinfectant!”


    Marcel shot up from bed and kicked open the neighboring ward’s door, puffing himself up and


    boomed, “Sexton, I’m busting out of this joint next month! Hahaha! You can rot in here for all I


    care!”


    Sexton couldn’t sit still. He sprang up and grabbed Noe’s hand, begging with puppy–dog eyes.


    “Noe, I want to be discharged too! Please, Noe, I’m begging you!”


    Noe was about to turn him down, but looking at those big, sad eyes, she just couldn’t spit it


    out.


    “Fine, stick to the meds I gave you, get your daily checks, exercise, no staying upte, no picky


    eating, and you’ll be out next month.”


    “Yeah! You’re the best. Noe!” Sexton strutted over to Marcel, giving him a nudge with his


    shoulder. “It’s not just you with a granddaughter here, Noe’s my granddaughter–inw too!”


    “And if I say no, your boy Palmer is gonna stay a bachelor!” Marcel retorted.


    “You wouldn’t dare!”


    “Watch me!”


    Noe was used to the old coots scrapping like kids. At their age, they couldn’t really throw down, at


    most just yank a few hairs out of each other’s already thinning scalps.


    She turned to Calvin and whispered, “Ashlyn’s condition has worsened. Go check on her.”


    “Sure, I’ll send you a reportter. As for the old men here…” Calvin was practically starry–eyed


    looking at Noe, inches away from dropping to his knees and shamelessly begging for Marcel’s


    miracle recipe.


    “Help me out next time, then we’ll talk.”


    Calvin was floored! He might actually get a chance to see Noe in action!


    “Alright, I’ll go check on Ashlyn. You’ve got this!” As soon as he stepped out of the ward, Calvin


    expertly ignored the crowd that had gathered at the door.


    These big shots‘ visitors were always a circus, bringing gifts that ended up in the anti–bribery


    department by the truckload.


    Belinda perked up when someone finally came out, only to see a doctor in a white coat – not the


    Pock family VIP they were waiting for.


    She sized up Calvin, feeling he looked familiar but couldn’t ce him behind the mask. Maybe he


    was one of those Insta–famous docs.


    The Lamberts seemed a little deted. They were promised a visit from the Pock Group’s big


    cheese, and yet, no sign of him.


    Vincent grumbled. “Talk about undutiful. What time is it, and he still hasn’t shown up to see his


    granddad? We’ve been here all morning!”


    1


    Milford shot him a re when no one was looking.


    Like the Pock Group’s CEO needs to report his whereabouts to you. Get over yourself! Milford


    scolded inwardly.


    The Rosenbergs were here because Beckett had them by the throat in business. If they could cozy


    up to the Pocks, getting ckballed by the Schnabels wouldn’t be a big deal.


    Right now, the Pocks were the Rosenbergs‘ lifeline!


    Briony eyed Milford in his wheelchair, almost jealous. She could kill for a seat. Standing for five


    hours in heels, her feet were on fire.


    “Mom, is Palmer Pocking today or what?”


    “I don’t know, sweetheart. Just look at the crowd waiting!”


    But unlike them, this crowd seemed toe prepared, whipping out newspapers and plopping


    down on the floor like it was a pic!


    Was this how you ask for a favor? Or was this just how Imperial City folks rolled?


    12:49


    And the hospital staff didn’t even bother to shoo them away. Standing with them, Belinda felt her


    own ssiness slipping.


    When the ward door swung open, there was Marcel, masked and hatted, being wheeled out by


    Noe. Seeing his get–up, Noe had to stifle augh. Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Marcel hated small talk. Whenever the ward got crowded, he’d cover his face to avoid identally


    rolling his eyes at the public.


    The moment she stepped out, the folks lounging by the door were up in a sh, ditching their


    newspapers and snapping to attention. They formed a neat, human wall in front of Marcel and


    Noe!


    “Mr. Schnabel, Army Unit 302 at your service to escort you!”


    The Lamberts and the Rosenbergs hadn’t even gotten over the shock of bumping into Noe here


    when they noticed the bunch of country bumpkins sitting around them suddenly rise up, exuding a


    fierce, military aura.


    Turns out, these weren’t farmers at all; they were special forces soldiers recruited from the military.


    “How many?”


    “Fifteen, all secured, Mr. Schnabel. Rest easy!”


    Marcel hodded with a smile. “A bit fewer than yesterday, not bad. Looks like it’s about time for me to


    head home. Hear that, Noe?”


    “Yes, I’ll arrange your discharge.”


    “Let’s go check on Ashlyn’s ward.


    After the bigmotion this morning, Sienna, even as virtuous as she was, she was still the


    Schnabels‘ grandkids‘ real–deal mom.


    Merrick and Marcel wererades in arms from their youth, and with his fiery temper, knowing his


    daughter was being slighted and the Schnabels did zilch, he’d be ready to raise hell.


    Noe pushed the wheelchair past,pletely ignoring the two families standing by the road.


    Milford’s itch started acting up when he saw how chummy Noe was with Marcel. He wondered


    what Beckett was thinking, allowing his secret sweetheart to take care of his own. granddad. Rich


    folks sure know how to live it up.


    Vincent was gobsmacked seeing Noe. “Noe, what are you doing here? Since when did you get


    to know Marcel, and you didn’t even tell me!”


    He was almost beside himself with excitement! Maybe Noe was a caregiver the Schnabels hired


    for Marcel. If she put in a good word, the Schnabels would definitely start seeing the Lamberts in a


    new light, giving them a leg up to thrive!