CHapter 134


    Noe barely had to turn her head to feel Palmer’s presence, his aura enveloping her with an


    assertive dominance.


    “Let go.”


    “Just a moment more. My fiancée wouldn’t want to disturb anyone, right?”


    Since when was it her causing the disturbance?


    Palmer held Noe close, his arms circling her slender waist. “Look, your mom and grandpa are still


    in the garden.”


    Merrick had a thing for flora, and on a whim that night, he remembered that the Schnabel Manor


    boasted a fine collection of night–blooming cereus. His excitement was such that Sienna, unable to


    dissuade him, decided to apany him instead.


    Noe’s room was on the second floor, offering the best view. One nce and she could survey a


    good portion of the Schnabel Manor. Likewise, anyone in the garden looking up could easily see


    what was happening on the balcony right now.


    If anyone from the Schnabel family caught sight of Palmer holding her like this, Noe didn’t dare


    think what might unfold tonight.


    “If you let go, it won’t disturb anyone else.”


    Palmer’s grip tightened, his breath growing hotter in an instant, spraying across the nape of Noe’s


    neck. “But I can’t bear to.”


    Did she not realize how alluring she was to him? Every time he saw her, his heart seemed to beat


    more furiously. At this rate, it seemed he might not be satisfied with just holding her!


    To avoid disturbing the others in the vi, Noe kept silent and did not push Palmer away, letting


    him hold her quietly.


    His heart pressed against her back, as if in that moment, their heartbeats aligned. His strong


    masculine scent swirled around her, causing Noe’s cheeks to flush.


    Why was her heart racing as wildly as his?


    After five minutes, Noe finally spoke up, “Alright now?”


    Palmer released her reluctantly, his toneden with a deeper meaning, “Just five minutes, and my


    fiancée underestimates me.”


    The smirk at the corner of his mouth carried unspoken mischief, as if he might devour the demure


    girl before him at any moment. However, he knew Noe wasn’t some fragile blossom; even if he


    couldn’t bear it, he had to restrain himself.


    As night deepened, Palmer felt the beast within stir! All because she was just too tempting, always


    making it so hard for him to resist.


    10:21


    Noe’s ears turned a deeper shade of red! She had a feeling Palmer had a hidden message, and


    meeting his intense, fiery gaze, she felt as if she were about tobust.


    Palmer took her hand and they leaned together against the balcony railing. “When do you n to


    tell Grandpa about Yvonne’s situation?”


    “What have you discovered?”


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    “Whatever my fiancée has discovered, I have discovered.”


    Noe pursed her lips. “I suspect that Ashlyn’s sudden illness tonight is also because of something


    Yvonne did.”


    “I’m thinking along the same lines as you.” Palmer’s fingers yed restlessly with the palm of


    Noe’s hand. “Tonight’s events suggest that Yvonne isn’t eager to leave Imperial City, hence the


    stalling.”


    Noe nced up at him. “Do you care about her?”


    “Of course not. Why would I care about her? I’m only concerned about one person–Noe.”


    Meeting Noe’s gaze, he felt captivated by how adorable she looked!


    How could she think he cared about Yvonne? To him, Yvonne barely registered!


    “It’s just that she keeps interrupting my time with my fiancée, which is quite irritating.”


    The precious moments he managed to carve out to be with Noe weren’t meant to be shared with


    unwantedpany!


    Noe replied coolly, “Whether she wants to leave or not has nothing to do with me.”


    But whatever Yvonne was up to, the Schnabel family had a right to know.


    “I support all of my fiancée’s decisions.”


    “You can go now. My grandpa has been giving you looks.”


    In the garden, Merrick, having watched Palmer and Noe holding hands on the balcony, had


    coughed significantly several times!


    That rascal, he’d been given plenty of time to court, so why was he still clinging on?


    Palmer chuckled, nting a goodnight kiss on the back of Noe’s hand.


    “Goodnight.”


    His actions were always so gentlemanly, beyond reproach.


    With the kiss ced, Palmer left Noe’s room and exchanged a few words with Merrick in the


    garden.


    From Noe’s viewpoint, Palmer could be seen bending down to share augh with the old man


    over the night–blooming cereus, eliciting genuineughter from Merrick.


    Sienna stood by, her eyes full of affection, seemingly more pleased with Palmer than her own sons!


    Palmer, a man of such stature, somehow blended so harmoniously with her family.


    A sudden thought struck Noe, he had said he would love her family


    Across the estate, lights came on, and Palmer stood on his own balcony, gazing at Noe with a


    face full of tender warmth,


    Seeing her only from across a garden was far from the satisfaction of holding her close. But to have


    her willing to live with him, he would have to wait until they were married


    Beckett entered Noe’s room, his face stern as he drew the curtains closed, shooting Palmer a


    warning nce,


    “Is Mr. Pock too idle? Noe, do you want to switch rooms? Maybe to the other side of the house,


    to avoid disturbance,”


    “No need, it’s too much hassle moving back and forth.” She was ustomed to her room.


    “Noe, don’t let Palmer fool you!”


    Noe looked puzzled. “Beckett, what could he possibly fool me with?


    Confronted with Noe’s clear eyes, Beckett was suddenly at a loss for words! He couldn’t very well


    tell his sister that Palmer was clearly harboring less than honorable intentions, could he?


    No, no, that would surely frighten her!


    After a moment’s thought, Beckett simply dragged a chair over and sat beside Noe.


    “Noe, do you like him?”


    1


    Like? It had been years since she’d felt such an emotion, much less for another person. But she


    didn’t mind Palmer’s closeness, nor did she reject his protection when faced with danger. She was


    even willing to trust him with her back.


    That must be affection, right?


    When he held her, her heart would race too, but was that really being smitten?


    Noe pondered for a moment before deciding to answer truthfully. “I don’t know, but I don’t dislike


    it.”


    Beckett’s eyes brimmed with tears, haunted by the illusion that his little sister was about to be


    snatched away from him, yet he managed to squeeze out a kindly smile.


    “Yeah, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. And if he ever gives you trouble, you


    remember toe straight to me, alright?”


    “I will.”


    Beckett stroked Noe’s hair, his expression turning serious. “How’s Grandma doing?”


    “She’s in the ICU. Beckett, I need to ask you something.”


    “Shoot, I’ll tell you anything you need to know.”


    Noe looked earnestly at Beckett. “I want to know what’s your take on Ashlyn?”


    The Schnabel family’s stance on Ashlyn would determine whether or not Noe should reveal the


    findings of her investigation to them!