CHapter 130


    Every exhibition at the gallery was overseen by Petra and her team. Plus, since Merrick didn’t


    establish the gallery to turn a profit, and Travis wasn’t specifically in charge of the exhibitions, no


    one realized how much Petra had overcharged them!


    She had been siphoning gallery funds all along, behind the scenes!


    “No big deal just one look and you’ll know.”


    She reviewed all the past exhibitions the gallery had hosted. Some of the materials happened to


    have been developed by Pris Star, but after failing to meet Noe’s standards, their patents were


    sold to otherbs. No one knew the cost of those materials better than her!


    In addition, the markup in Petra’s quotes was outrageously high.


    Indeed, the patents for those materials had been sold to the Gruber family’s corporation, while the


    sessful Pris Star products were marketed under their own brand.


    Several material suppliers under Beckett’s control had long–term contracts with Pris Star.


    “Ms. Noe, even although Petra has been taken away, what about her team? Could they leak


    information about the exhibition? Will tomorrow’s event bepromised?” Travis found it hard to


    believe that Petra was capable of such deceit! After all, if she could embezzle from the gallery for


    years, she could just as well spill trade secrets to the Gruber family’s gallery!


    “Don’t worry, I’ve made the necessary changes. We’ll start setting up as soon as the materials


    arrive.”


    “Alright!”


    Travis was still anxious about tomorrow’s exhibition, but Noe’s calm demeanor suddenly filled him


    with confidence.


    Ms. Noe was so capable, she might have another ace up her sleeve.


    After wrapping up at the gallery, the moon hung high outside the window.


    Annie knocked on the office door. “Ms. Noe, Mr. Pock is here to take you home for dinner.”


    Dinner? Tonight was dinner at the Schnabel family home, and it seemed the elders must have been


    nagging her toe home already.


    Checking her phone, sure enough, there were several messages from Marcel, wondering why she


    hadn’te home yet.


    [Noe, why aren’t you home yet?]


    [Pick up a box of date and sweet potato pie for me on your way home, I’m craving it.]


    (Oh, don’t worry if you can’t find it, no need to go out of your way, juste home!]


    A faint smile yed on Noe’s lips, as if she could already see Marcel babbling on before her,


    eagerly anticipating his dessert.


    [Grandpa, I’ll be home soon. Don’t wait for me for dinner, just start without me.]


    Marcel replied almost immediately: [We must wait! Hurry back, darling!)


    Noe rose, donning her coat, and continued discussing the details of tomorrow’s exhibition with


    Travis as she walked out. Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Annie followed, her face adorned with a professional smile.


    Ms. Noe was so captivating at work! Just listening to her give orders, Annie could feel the


    charismatic aura emanating from her every gesture. She was utterly enchanting.


    “Ms. Noe, don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on things. Go home and enjoy your dinner.”


    “See you tomorrow.”


    Noe approached the Cayenne parked curbside, with Annie having already opened the door,


    respectfully waiting for her to get in.


    Palmer sat inside, his gaze never leaving Noe for a second, burning with intensity like moonlight,


    until she got into the car. Every time he saw her, he found it hard to look away, as if he could never


    get enough.


    “Could we stop by Eternal Joy Pastry first? Grandpa wants their confections.”


    Annie was quick to respond, “Of course! Absolutely no problem!”


    A trip for pastries was a trivial matter, given that it was Ms. Noe who gave the order.


    Palmer cast a puzzled nce at Annie; why did his assistant seem so overly enthusiastic about his


    lady?


    “Thank you.”


    “No need to thank me, Ms. Noe. Whatever you ask, Mr. Pock will surely oblige!”


    Annie’s heart trembled. ncing in the rear–view mirror, she saw her boss looking at her with a


    displeased expression. Had she said something wrong?


    After some thought, Annie realized her enthusiasm for Ms. Noe might have sparked jealousy in


    Mr. Pock. But who could resist Ms. Noe’s charm?


    To protect her job and future prospects, Annie chose to be the perfect assistant, always eager to


    please her boss.


    True to form, Palmer’s mood seemed to improve at her words!


    “Does my fiancée have a favorite dessert?”


    “No, I’m not fond of sweets.”


    Traditional desserts were often too sweet, but Old Mrs. Lambert also loved Eternal Joy Pastry’s


    10:20


    date and sweet potato pie.


    Remembering Marcel’s craving warmed Noe’s heart, reminding her of the wonderful bond within


    her current family. Yet, no one could rece her grandmother’s ce in her heart. Although Old


    Mrs. Lambert would never again pester her for a slice of that pie…


    Thoughts of Old Mrs. Lambert brought a wistful look to Noe’s eyes.


    Palmer squeezed Noe’s hand, pulling her towards him and wrapping his arms around her


    waist.


    “Let go.”


    “Just let me hold you for a moment; it’ll be quick. You might not realize, but reviewing all those


    financial statements is exhausting.”


    Working for the Pock Group was demanding, and before meeting Noe, Palmer practically lived


    at the office, seldom returning home.


    But since knowing her, he found himself yearning to go home!


    Even though his house was still stark,vishly furnished like a showroom andcking the warmth of


    a home, just standing in his own room and watching the light flicker behind the pinkce curtains in


    her bedroom was enough to keep himpany through countless nights.


    He longed for the day they could live together! Until then, even glimpsing her room across the vast


    garden was enough.


    Noe was at a loss for words, taken aback by the intimate gesture. Yet, she didn’t push Palmer


    away.


    She said in a matter–of–fact tone, “You know, you don’t have to work yourself to the bone.”


    “You’re such an ingrate,” Palmer’s breath tickled her neck, warm and teasing like a feather brushing


    by, causing Noe to involuntarily shrink back. His voice was deep and seductive, with a hint of


    yful charm.


    “I work hard, so I can spend more time with you,” he murmured.


    Otherwise, why would he pile up all his work like this?


    “But it seems my fiancée is a workaholic too. Looks like I’ll have to book an appointment to take you


    out on a date.”


    He had waited outside her office for a long time. Her gallery office was encased in floor–to–ceiling


    ss, and Palmer only had to look up to see his girl bustling about inside.


    Even just watching her like this made his heart race; every time he saw her, he couldn’t control the


    wild thrumming in his chest!


    Outside the Eternal Joy Bakery, Palmer insisted, “I’ll go get it. It’s chilly out there.”


    The night breeze in the city did have a nip to it, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her stepping


    10:20


    out into the cold.


    Noe sat in the car waiting, watching Palmer, dressed in his sharp suit, stride confidently into the


    pastry shop.


    This man seemed tomand the spotlight wherever he went, with the surrounding lights ying


    second fiddle to his presence!


    Ten minutester, Palmer returned to the car with an armful of treats.


    “Why so many?” Noe asked, her brows knitting together.


    Marcel needed to watch his sugar intake; he couldn’t have all these treats.


    “I got something for everyone. Remember when you were picking out gifts and you told me to keep


    your family in mind? They’re going to be my family too.” His tone was gentle, his expression tender.


    “Noe, I love you, and I’ll love your family too.”