CHapter 138


    Under the veil of the deepening night, Noe stood with a guarded expression, sizing up the figure


    before her.


    The individual opposite did the same, taking her in.


    With her slender waist and long legs wrapped in a sleek ck trench coat made of some high–tech


    fabric, she was the epitome of icy allure. Her striking legs were entuated by thigh–high leather


    boots, perfectlyplementing the motorcycle she stood beside.


    Even with her helmet on, obscuring her face, Walden Gruber felt an undeniable pull, convinced that


    beneath ity a breathtaking beauty.


    He casually slipped his hands into his jeans pockets, maintaining a safe distance.


    “Evening, Wise Fool. Allow me to introduce myself–I’m Walden Gruber of the Gruber family. You


    can call me Walden.”


    “How did you know me?”


    Walden was d in a rugged brown parkayered over a turtleneck sweater. His hair styled in


    modern undercut with a hint of a rogue’s charm. His smile, a mix of nonchnce and inscrutability,


    left Noe with a sense of mystery.


    “The Gruber family has its ways of finding information when it needs to.”


    “What do you want from me?”


    a


    The Gruber family, a name second only to the Pocks and the Schnabels, had made significant


    strides in various sectors. Before Beckett took over the reins of his family’s empire, the Grubers had


    even outpaced the Schnabels in influence.


    But the Schnabel sons were exceptional, and with the majority of patents flowing directly from


    ra’sb, the Grubers didn’t even get the chance to bid on them.


    And as for the Pock family? Ever since Palmer had taken control of the Pock Group, the


    Grubers hadn’t even managed to sneak a fly past their doors.


    Walden observed Noe, her aura radiating an icy detachment, and offered her a disarming smile.


    “I’d like to propose a coboration with your Obelisk Organization. Would you consider granting me


    the opportunity?”


    “No.”


    “I’m willing to pay handsomely. Name your price.”


    Noe frowned at the man before her. “I’m not in need of money, but if you persist in blocking my


    way, I can’t guarantee I won’t ept a contract from your opponent–sending you to meet your


    maker sooner than you’d like.”


    Walden’s smile froze instantly.


    This woman was audacious to the extremel Yet he knew all too well that as the leader of a top–tier


    assassination ring on the deep web, her threats were no joke.


    “Wise Fool, my request is simple. I just want Ms. Schnabel’s recent travel Itinerary, nothing more.


    I’d also like to be friends.”


    “A paparazzo would fetch that information faster and with more professionalism than I. I won’t help


    you, nor will I be your friend. The Obelisk Organization only makes friends with those about to die.”


    Those who befriended her often ended up at her own hands.


    “Of course, I’m aware that Obelisk specializes in killing. If you take out the head of the Pock


    family, I’ll pay you a billion.”


    A flicker of obsession sparked in Walden’s eyes. In his mind, no one could resist the allure of


    money. Unless, of course, it wasn’t enough.


    Noe nced at him emotionlessly and simply stated, “Move aside! I won’t say it twice.”


    She was pressed for time: heading to theb at this hour was already a stretch, and this fool was


    blocking her path. “Ever heard the phrase, ‘Let sleeping dogs lie‘? If you Gruber family can’t teach


    its dogs manners, perhaps it shouldn’t keep them.”


    Noe revved up her bike and zoomed past Walden, slicing through the night air with the grace. of a


    gust of wind.


    Walden’s face flushed with anger.


    Was she insinuating he was a dog?


    His expensive parka now sported a fresh tear, a near miss to his skin, evidence of her serious.


    intent.


    As the motorcycle and its enigmatic rider disappeared into the night, Walden’s lips curled into a


    smirk.


    Interesting. Challenging.


    “Find out who she really is. I’m intrigued,” he ordered.


    “Yes, sir. Since she’s declined the contract, we should head back. Tomorrow’s the grand opening of


    Ms. Schnabel’s gallery, and we must show our support.”


    Walden nodded, tossed his parka into a nearby trash can, and slid into his luxury car to leave.


    The following morning, the Schnabel family was a flurry of activity.


    Sienna rose early, applying extra care to her appearance, even switching nes several times.


    “Does the pearl look better, or should I go with the diamond? Or perhaps the ruby is more


    10-24


    striking?”


    “Darling, you look stunning in anything!”


    Tristan was distracted, dark circles under his eyes.


    Sienna spared him a nce and began dabbing at his face.


    “Losing sleep is one thing, but on the night before our daughter’s big day? What if you embarrass


    her?”


    “Right, right, cover these up for me. Can’t let our little star down!”


    Once ready, Sienna admired the reflection of the elegantdy in the mirror, brimming with


    satisfaction. This was her debut at her daughter’s gallery, and she was determined to dazzle. to


    make her daughter proud.


    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    She knocked gently on Noe’s door, her voice soft, “Darling, are you up yet?”


    “Just a moment.”


    “We’ll wait for you downstairs for breakfast. Don’t forget to wear the dress I picked out for you!”


    Noe responded, swiftly getting ready. After ate–nightb visit and a return home to sort through


    a heap of matters, she hadn’t slept a wink.


    Fortunately, she was not prone to dark circles–a touch of makeup would be enough to captivate,


    without letting anyone in the Schnabel family sense anything amiss.


    As expected, the results confirmed Noe’s suspicions- Vincent was not Old Mrs. Lambert’s


    son!


    The DNA match suggested that Vincent was probably a child Mrs. Lambert had taken in years.


    ago.


    For some reason, Noe felt a wave of relief wash over her when she found out. Vincent wasn’t her


    grandmother’s kin, but she was!


    Slipping into the dress Sienna had picked out for her, Noe descended the staircase to where


    everyone was gathered.


    She was a vision in a pale blue strapless gown, its simple elegance entuated with diamond


    embellishments that twinkled like stars with every step she took- a beauty both breathtaking and


    dignified.


    The Schnabel family’s eyes lit up with delight.


    “Our darling looks so beautiful, a true daughter of the Schnabel family!”


    At the front door, Palmer pushed Sexton’s wheelchair, his eyes brimming with an unrestrainable


    tenderness as he watched Noe gracefully move down the stairs..


    The whole family dined together, dressed to the nines, ready to attend Noe’s gallery exhibit.


    To an outsider, it might have seemed like Noe’s own exhibition!


    Sienna took Noe’s hand as they stepped out of the Schnabel Manor.


    “Don’t you worry, honey, with us here, everything will go off without a hitch!”


    “Don’t be nervous, Noe. Oh my, why are my hands shaking? It must be the cold!”


    Beckett chimed in. “Dad, it’s 86 degrees out, are you sure you’re cold?”


    Tristan delivered a yful smack. “Cut it out! Oh, we can’t fit everyone in the car. Noe, why don’t


    you ride with Palmer?”


    Tristan nced at the Schnabel family’s fleet of cars, then gently nudged Noe towards Palmer,


    taking over from him the handling of Sexton’s wheelchair.


    “Mr. Sexton cane with me and my dad; we’ve got the space.”


    “Sure, sure, I’lle over to your car. That works perfectly.”


    Noe was speechless, watching as Tristan led the family away, as if afraid she’d suddenly insist on


    joining them.


    Palmer’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he held the car door open, bowing slightly. “Would my fiancée


    do me the honor of apanying me?”