CHapter 139


    Noe slid into Palmer’s sleek sedan and immediately felt the intensity of his gaze–it never wavered


    from her for a second. His hand clutched hers, and he seemed reluctant to let go.


    “Ease up.” she said.


    “Can I just hold it for a moment? I’ve been missing my fiancée all night. I’ve missed your terribly.”


    Noe shot Palmer a look. “Someone’s put a price on your head, a tempting one at that. I’m


    considering taking the offer.”


    Palmer chuckled but released her hand, shifting closer to her instead. He may not have been


    holding her hand anymore, but he was definitely closer now.


    Leaning in, Palmer’s presence enveloped her as he whispered, “If you want my life, darling, feel


    free to try and take it.”


    “You keep talking like that, and I might just take you up on it,” Noe retorted.


    After all, no one would turn down money.


    Palmer pulled out a checkbook, scribbled his signature, and handed it to Noe.


    “Whatever they’re offering. I’ll match it. Consider this a down payment to reim my life. In the


    meantime, it’s in the safekeeping of my betrothed.”


    Could one’s life be entrusted to safekeeping?


    Noe pinched the thin check between her fingers, noting that the amount was left for her to fill


    1. in.


    “Can I know who wants me dead?”


    “The Gruber family,” she replied.


    Palmer didn’t seem surprised. “Why didn’t you agree to their offer?”


    Noe met Palmer’s teasing gaze with cool detachment. “It’s not worth it. Keeping you around, I can


    still make money.”


    She waved the check in her hand. Even if she had refused Walden’s request, Palmer would still


    have given her the same amount. Killing him just didn’t add up.


    Noe preferred a steady ie, and maybe there were other reasons she couldn’t quite


    name.


    Palmer buried his head into the crook of Noe’s neck,ughing, his shoulders trembling lightly.


    Was his fiancée always this adorable? Her reason was both pragmatic and irresistible.


    “I’ll drop you off soon; I’ve got some business at the corporation. In the meantime, would you


    10-24


    mind taking care of Grandpa?”


    Noe nodded in agreement.


    With several bodyguards around Sexton, safety wasn’t an issue; it was the old man’s health that


    concerned Palmer more.


    Outside the gallery, Sexton watched Palmer’s car disappear into the distance and grumbled, “That


    kid! Dropping Noe off and then just leaving? Is thepany really that important? Can’t he just


    spend more time with Noe!”


    Sexton knew the Pock Group kept Palmer busy, but he disapproved of his grandson’s neglect. in


    wooing his fiancée. Did Palmer realize how exceptional Noe was? What if she caught. someone


    else’s eye while he was away? Seeing that Noe didn’t seem too fond of Palmer yet. that kid really


    should worry!


    Sexton was genuinely concerned.


    Outside, the press had already taken their ces. As soon as Noe appeared, the cameras went


    live, trained on the Schnabel family.


    Travis was stunned by the turnout.


    Had Ms. Noe brought the whole family? Was this her idea of not worrying about the


    exhibition? But the Schnabel’s presence wouldn’t matter at an art exhibition. Those highbrow artists


    were only there for the paintings!


    Dressed in a sharp suit, Walden emerged from the crowd like a celebrity. Upon seeing Noe,


    surrounded by the Schnabels, a sh of admiration crossed his eyes.


    “Ms. Schnabel, you’re even more stunning in person than during your birthday live stream. My


    apologies for not introducing myself–I’m Walden Gruber.”


    Beckett stepped in front of Noe, his stare icy. “Stay away from my sister.”


    Their family wasn’t exactly friends with the Grubers, but they maintained civility in public.


    Walden just shrugged and greeted a few of the elders. “I heard there was an exhibit at Ms.


    Schnabel’s gallery today, but I don’t see any artwork. Are we here to watch a Schnabel family


    reunion? If you wish to gather, there’s no need to use the guise of an art exhibition.”


    Standing beside Noe. Stirling frowned. “That guy’s still as obnoxious as ever!”


    “You don’t like him?”


    “Who would? He’s a bastard child, and even the Grubers don’t take him seriously. A few years


    back, he tried to court ra and got a beating from us. When he found out she wasn’t a Schnabel


    by birth, he insulted her and got another beating.”


    Walden was just a Gruber bastard? For a bastard to dare go after Palmer, the Grubers were truly


    wild.


    Noe hadn’t realized the depth of the bad blood between Walden and the Schnabel siblings.


    10:24


    “And then?”


    “Then our parents made us apologize, and we beat him up again in the hospital. We almost gave


    him aplex. After that, Ulrich treated his injuries, and he stayed in the ICU for about three


    months. The Grubers have kept him away from us since.”


    Recalling those events, Stirling felt his fists itching again.


    The way Walden had looked at his sister earlier had not gone unnoticed by the Schnabel. brothers,


    whose res were anything but friendly.


    Noe covered her mouth, hiding her amusement.


    The Schnabels always protected their own.


    Jasper cautioned, “Noe, stay away from that guy. He’s dangerous and will stop at nothing to get


    what he wants. If he harasses you, tell us and we’ll handle it!”


    “Right, let’s give him another thrashing!”


    From the moment Walden had stood before her the previous night, shouting out her code name,


    Noe knew he wasn’t just any ordinary guy.


    A bastard son rising through the ranks of the Gruber family–how could he achieve that without a fair


    share of cunning and resourcefulness?


    Walden turned his gaze to Noe. “Ms. Schnabel, since we’re talking about an art exhibition, and


    not just any but Master Killian’s, shouldn’t we at least get a peek at the paintings?”


    He continued, “This exhibition seems to be quite the event. I presume it will unveil many new pieces


    we’ve neverid eyes on before? But I’ve heard no whispers of new masterpieces from Master


    Killian in recent years. Perhaps, Ms. Schnabel, you n to pass off forgeries as the real deal? And


    to hold an exhibition for Master Killian, one would need his personal consent, wouldn’t one? Where


    might one find such a letter of agreement?”


    Walden’s tone grew more irksome with each word, his demeanor so smug as if he’d already


    decided the gallery’s exhibition was doomed to fail.


    Noe’s gaze shifted to a figure emerging from behind Walden.


    Lifting the hem of her dress, she stepped forward. “You’ve arrived.”


    Through the crowd, an elder gentleman in a tailored Azure suit that echoed the lines of formal. attire


    stepped into view. His aura was vibrant, his eyes gleaming with a frosty resolve.


    He was curious to see who dared to mess with his cherished apprentice. He’d make a note to


    remember their faces–to report back to the old guard at home!


    “My apprentice is organizing my exhibition, and you’re worried about theck of paintings? As for


    the letter of consent, my dear apprentice could organize ten exhibitions of my work, and I would


    bless each one!”


    Shock filled Walden’s eyes!


    10:24


    How could Master Killian himself be here! He referred to Ms. Schnabel as his apprentice? N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.