CHapter 174


    Tandy was the very definition of cautious. In his story, it was sheer serendipity that brought


    ra to the Schnabel household. With so many children in the orphanage, why her?


    He clenched his Jaw. “Pure coincidence.”


    I’ve checked ail the kids that came out of Heartfelt Orphanage that year, and you just happened to


    pick the brightest and the smartest. Lucky, huh?”


    Tandy’s gaze drifted. “Alright, that child was indeed handpicked. Someone said she was


    exceptional, and that she wouldn’t raise any suspicions at the Schnabels.”


    Noe nodded, seemingly agreeing with the statement.


    ra and the Schnabel boys were alike–intelligent, attractive, and cultured. It was as if she was one


    of their own. Standing with them, no one questioned ra’s ce in the family.


    “Whose child is she?”


    Tandy hesitated, silent for a long moment. “She’s doing so well with the Schnabels, so why dig into


    her past?”


    ra indeed lived well in the Schnabel family, but she deserved to know her origins, to choose her


    own family!


    Noe understood this dilemma all too well. Embracing a new family was tough, but the truth was


    ra’s right.


    “Just tell me whose child she is, that’s enough.”


    Tandy sighed, a wry smile crossing his face. “If memory serves, she’s a Pock.”


    Noe and Palmer were stunned.


    ra, a Pock?


    Xavier frowned at Palmer. “Your cousins are way older than you, your uncle is single, so your dad


    had an affair?”


    Palmer was quick to deny. “My parents were devoted to each other.”


    “Really? You’re not with your dad all the time. He could have secrets, right?”


    Facing Xavier’s skepticism, Palmer added, “Even if there was a possibility of an affair, there’s no


    way he’d have a child ra’s age.”


    During the time of ra’s birth, Palmer’s mother had her own troubles. It was unlikely his father


    would betray her then.


    Tandy spoke up faintly. “It’s Jacob Pock, the second son. He likely isn’t aware of the child’s


    existence.”


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    “My uncle Jacob?” Palmer was shocked.


    Noe pictured ra and Jacob together, their resemnce uncanny. Jacob’s gaze towards ra


    was more tender than that of a mere superior.


    “Now that we’re on the subject, what really happened with Jacob’s lover in the hospital?”


    Tandy chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t tell you that. I can only tell you that she gave birth to


    the kid when an incident happened.”


    Noe scrutinized Tandy, searching his face for further clues.


    11-44


    Speaking slowly and deliberately, she asked, “What did you do when my grandmother was


    hospitalized long before, that made her leave the Schnabel family?


    Xavier hadn’t anticipated Noe’s inquiry regarding Harriet, and he felt an urge to dissect


    Tandy’s brain right then and there for answers.


    Tandy looked at the enraged Xavier. “Got any booze? Give me a sip.”


    With clenched teeth, Xavier grabbed a finely crafted sk from his waist and tossed it over.


    As the strong liquor went down Tandy’s throat, he coughed violently. After a moment, he


    regained his


    “I wasn’t directly involved in that matter, but I can tell you, the former director of Tandy Hospital


    was the one who issued orders to me. I know Jittle about it; Harriet didn’t die, she even gave birth


    to a child, but the child given to her wasn’t the one she delivered. Do you understand?”


    Under the influence of alcohol, Tandy grew agitated. “I don’t know the full story! After I switched the


    baby, they reassured me–old tricks would go unnoticed once more. If my actions were exposed,


    neither the Schnabels nor the Pocks would spare me! But God will forgive.”


    “People forget their pasts. A mother forgets her child, a spouse forgets their love. Yet God blesses


    his faithful. Heart! We extend our heart to the world! Children, look to us! You’ll be the brightest stars


    in the


    heavens!”


    Tandy began to sing hymns, reminiscent of orphanage lubies–chaotic and disjointed.


    Xavier, puzzled, muttered, “What’s he rambling about? Is he losing it? I can’t make heads or tails of


    it!”


    Noe picked up a bottle from the floor.


    Fifty–five proof vodka, strong enough to muddle the senses of a sober adult.


    “Let’s wait for him to sober up. When he does, give him these pills.”


    She removed a ne, opened the pendant, and handed it to Xavier.


    “What’s this? Are you really going to save him?”


    Noe looked at Xavier with a hint of resignation. “He must know something about Grandma’s past.


    Who else can you ask? Can you find the former head of Tandy Hospital? At least he knows who


    that is.”


    Xavier nodded. “You’re right. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he makes it.”


    Magee burst in, a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. “Xavier, we’ve got a bunch of knuckleheads


    outside wanting to storm the ce. How do we wee them?”


    Every day in Lockhart Prison was a tedious affair, so when someone attempted a jailbreak, it was


    practically entertainment! Outside, the excitement was palpable, and Magee was all but losing his


    mind!


    Xavier delivered a swift kick and barked, “Next time you get mixed up with thew, ask Noe! You


    blind, or what? I’m getting on in years; the joint’s gonna be Noe’s!”


    Noe nced at him, her gaze light as a feather. “I don’t want it. Bad vibes.”


    Xavier’s face quickly morphed into an ingratiating grin. “Right, right! You’re spot on. I’ll just let you


    handle things for now. This ce may not be pretty, but it’s got its uses! What do you reckon we


    should do with those jailbirds out there? Chum for sharks or feet in concrete?”


    “If they die, Tandy will m up for life.”


    Xavier pped his forehead in realization. “I better go check it out. Can’t let those hooligans


    identally off


    someone!”


    213


    With that he dashed toward the fray outside the prison walls.


    Noe turned to Palmer. “What’s your take on ra’s situation?”


    If ra truly belonged to the Pock family, they deserved to be in the loop.


    “I n on spilling the beans to Uncle. See what he wants to do.”


    His grandfather Sexton was getting on in years; the news would likely send him racing to


    Emerald County, which could be a shock for ra.


    *Til clue in ra. She has every right to know, and no matter her choice, she’s family.”


    Noe eyed the audio file on her phone and hit ‘send‘.


    Palmer chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. It’s a shocker, but if she’s a Pock, Grandpa will adore


    her. Our family’s been short ondies for a generation.”


    “That’s for the best.”.


    In Emerald County, Tristan, Sienna, and the four strappingds of the Schnabel family were waving


    from a hilltop at ra.


    “ra! Over here!”


    ra, still in herb coat, hadn’t expected the whole family to show up.


    Was it because of that kerfuffle in theb? Had they been worried?


    “Mom, Dad, what brings you all here?”


    “Just wanted to check on you, sweetheart. Yourb is quite a trek–nearly did in your mother and


    me.”


    ra hurried over to lend Tristan a hand.


    A new message popped up on her phone from Noe, and ra opened it with glee.


    “Hehe, Noe must be missing me.”


    After the message yed, the entire family stood frozen in shock!


    ra was a Pock, and not just any Pock–she was the daughter of Jacob, the Pock family’s


    second son?!