CHapter 171


    Xavier’s brow furrowed with sudden concern at the news.


    “Taken Ill? That was news to me – he seemed fine when he arrived. How does one just fall ill out


    of the blue?”


    Truth be told, he wasn’t overly worried about Tandy’s well–being. What really irked him was that just


    seconds ago, he’d promised Noe she’d get to see the man, and now, it seemed as though he’d


    orchestrated some sort of mishap. It was all too convenient.


    Sure enough, Noe gave Xavier a fleeting nce, a sigh escaping her lips as her fingers traced


    the bracelet on her wrist.


    “Is this the kind of friend you are, Xavier? Backing out is one thing, but to pull a stunt like this after


    agreeing… It’s just pointless.”


    Her tone dripped with disdain and mockery, resonating in Xavier’s ears like a gong of


    sarcasm.


    Oddly enough, Xavier wasn’t the least bit angry. Instead, he pped Magee on the back. “Spill it.


    What exactly happened?”


    “We just went to fetch Tandy from his cell and found him passed out. He’s been rushed to the


    infirmary.”


    Xavier waved dismissively. “Wake him up. If pain’s what it takes, then do it. Let this youngdy have


    her word with him before he kicks the bucket. Couldn’t he have picked a better time to die? How


    inconvenient!”


    “At once, Sir!”


    With a hint of eagerness he hadn’t noticed before, Xavier rubbed his hands together and turned to


    Noe.


    “Look here, youngdy, what did you say your name was? I swear this isn’t my doing! You have to


    believe me! Do you have any more pictures or videos of your grandma? Can you show me?”


    52


    Noe tilted her chin up, eyeing the menacing figure before her. “My name is Noe. Weren’t you


    trying to kill me a moment ago? ying coy now, are we?”


    Xavier chuckled awkwardly. “Nice name. A credit to Harriet, no doubt. Me, kill you? I wouldn’t dare,


    not knowing you’re Harriet’s kin.”


    Noe’s gaze remained frosty. “And yet, you’ve schemed against my grandfather more than once.


    Not a single Schnabel is to step foot near Lockhart Prison or they’re dead- those were your orders,


    weren’t they?”


    Back when Ulrich was a battlefield medic, he’d nearly lost his life on several asions,


    night on the fringes of Lockhart Prison. Only Xavier, this silver–haired old man, could wield


    such authority in this region.


    Schnabels, they’re all doomed because of Marcel! If that man hadn’t betrayed Harriet, if he


    hadn’t remarried, would she have suffered so? Why should Marcel enjoy a life surrounded by


    family while Harriet lies in her grave?”


    The more Xavier spoke, the more his rage boiled over, his eyes glinting with a vengeful light. If he


    could, he’d fly to Harmonia Country and finish Marcel himself.


    Palmer stepped beside Noe, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. “Xavier, Noe is my


    fiancée and Harriet’s very own granddaughter. The man you nearly had killed is also Harriet’s


    grandson Ulrich. By blood, she could call you ‘Granduncle‘.”


    Granduncle?


    She was Harriet’s granddaughter?


    Xavier was beside himself. His gaze toward Noe was now alight with anticipation and disbelief.


    “You’re Harriet’s kin? And Tristan… he’s Harriet’s son?”


    Noe nodded coolly. “What of it? Last night, Grandma visited my dreams to ask how I was. I told


    her you almost killed my brother and me and that you still want me dead!”


    –


    Xavier’sposure crumbled. “No, no, Harriet, it was all a misunderstanding. I didn’t know they


    were your kids. Marcel’s fate is negligible, but thank goodness the children are safe.”


    He suddenly spun to Magee. “Who was it that cut Ulrich? Feed him to the sharks! Dare toy a


    finger on my sister’s grandkids, and you’ll answer to me!”


    Noe replied with disdain. “Without your orders, would they dare?”


    The injury on Ulrich’s arm was a direct consequence of Xavier’s bidding.


    Noe cocked her head, looking at Xavier with a mix of pity and disdain. “Ulrich’s a surgeon. If that


    injury affects his work in the OR, Grandma’s sure to be upset.”


    Xavier broke into a sweat. “I had no idea, I swear. You have to believe me!”


    Noe scoffed, her eyes clearly conveying her disbelief.


    Xavier knew further exnations were futile. After all, his intent to obliterate Marcel and his family


    was genuine.


    Turning away, he retrieved a book from his shelf, carefully flipping through the pages until he


    found a photograph to show Noe.


    In the ck–and–white photo, a woman’s delicate features were softened by the gentle brush of


    time, while the man beside her boasted a scar that lent him a rugged charm. In delicate script at


    the bottom, it read: “To my dear brother, from Harriet.”


    05:48


    A wave of nostalgia washed over Xavier’s face. “Your grandma was my sister. We took our


    mentors‘ surnames; hers was Lambert. I’ve spent years seeking vengeance for your grandma.


    Marcel betrayed her doesn’t he deserve to die? How can his family live in


    bliss while my sister’s life was cut short!”


    Noe studied the young Harriet in the photo, her grace and intelligence shining through.


    There was so much her grandmother had never shared with her. Who could it all involve? It was


    clear that Xavier’s mentor was the former head of Lockhart Prison, but who was her grandmother’s


    mentor?


    Suppressing her doubts, Noe handed Xavier a document.


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    It was the DNA test results she had prepared in advance, proof of her lineage with her grandma.


    Folks like Xavier, they tend to put their faith in what’s right in front of their eyes.


    Indeed, the paternity test revealing a perfect match between Tristan and Harriet left Xavier with a


    face full of regret and self–reproach.


    “Thank God, I botched itst time. If I hadn’t, Harriet would’ve had my head!”


    Noe observed Xavier’s expression, which remained far from pleasant.


    “Why on earth were you so dead set on having me assassinate my grandpa? What was going


    through your head?”


    Back then, Xavier had put out a hit on the deep web, a specific request for Wise Fool to take out


    Marcel. Was he itching to see the Schnabel family tear each other apart?


    Xavier realized the misunderstanding was colossal and scrambled to exin. “No, no, I had no idea


    you were Wise Fool. I sent you because I knew Palmer would never take the job.”


    Noe scoffed. “I don’t believe a single word you’re saying!”


    Even Xavier found himself in an awkward spot. He had indeed done many inexplicable things, but


    his sole desire was to avenge Harriet!


    “It’s all on me. Don’t be mad. Can I call you Noe?”


    Noe shook her head with icy indifference, mercilessly turning him down. “I go by Noe Schnabel.


    Xavier, stick to my full name.”


    She emphasized herst name with a hint of mockery in her eyes.


    Xavier knew she was still bitter about his actions against the Schnabels, awkwardly. scratching the


    back of his head. This was no small blunder, and to make matters moreplicated, this girl was


    as stubborn as Harriet.


    “I’ll take you to meet Tandy! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he tells you everything you want to know,


    even if it’s something he shouldn’t say!”