CHapter 176


    ra was as sharp as a tack, and when she found out that Noe ventured into Lockhart


    Prison to meet the former head of Heartfelt Orphanage, she knew there had to be a good


    reason. It was clear to her that Noe was determined to help her find her biological family, even


    if it meant putting herself in harm’s way.


    Noe let out a soft chuckle, feeling a warmth bloom in her heart.


    ra leaned against Sienna’s shoulder, feigning concem. “What are we going to do? Now I’ll have


    topete with Noe for Mom’s attention.”


    Sienna scolded her lovingly. “Nonsense, I’m already your mom. I changed your diapers and


    nursed you when you were a baby. Even if your birth mother came back from the dead, she


    couldn’t take you away from me!*


    Although the Schnabels hoped to find ra’s birth parents, Sienna secretly dreaded the day


    they might appear. Her daughter, so intelligent and considerate, was hers to keep. If ra’s


    biological parents turned out to be unreliable like Noe’s foster parents, Sienna was adamant


    she wouldn’t let her go.


    Noe nodded in agreement. “Yeah, having you at home is perfect. I like ra.”


    ra’s face bloomed like the spring after a long winter, her smile radiant. She turned to the four


    Schnabel brothers sitting in the back of the SUV, her eyebrows arching triumphantly.


    “Did you hear that? Did you all listen? If not, I’ve got it recorded – I’ll y it back on loop for you,


    so you know who the favorite really is!*


    Stirling, eager to join in, piped up. “Noe,e on, say you like your me best!”


    Jasper countered. “That’s ridiculous, she obviously likes me the most.”


    Sienna snapped. “How old are you to be squabbling over things like this? ra’s your little sister!


    Immature brats.”


    Before her sons could wallow in disappointment, Sienna’s tone softened as she gazed at Noe


    with delight. “Noe, darling, you do love me the most, don’t you?”


    The Schnabel brothers fell silent, a collective sigh hanging in the air.


    Noe, feeling a bit cornered, reassured each member of the Schnabel family in turn.


    Palmer leaned into the video call, greeting everyone politely. “Regardless of ra’s choice, we’ll


    respect it. But since it involves my uncle, I’ve also sent the recording to Grandpa. I hope you’ll


    understand.”


    Sienna nodded, acknowledging the necessity. “Sure, Sexton should be informed. But Palmer, your


    uncle…”


    Sienna’s face twisted slightly with distaste.


    Tristan burst out angrily, “Aren’t all the sons from the Pock family cut from the same cloth? If


    Palmer ends up like his dad or uncle, he can forget about marrying Noe for life!”


    Palmer’s position as the heir to the Pock Group was partly due to Sexton’s sons being less than


    capable. After his wife left, Palmer’s father had taken off on a global escapade,pletely


    indifferent to family affairs. Jacob alsocked ambition, and if it weren’t for a business prodigy


    Palmer emerging in this generation of the Pock family, Sexton might still be punching the clock.


    Sienna voiced her concern, “Noe, when are youing home? Why do I hear explosions in the


    background?”


    To keep Sienna from worrying, the Schnabels hadn’t told her about the nature of Lockhart Prison.


    Noe kept herposure. “Oh, they’re just sting fish out of the water.”


    11:45


    Nist of nna began to rx, X


    boomingughter echoed through the phone, Noelle


    them! A bunch of idiots trying to break out of Jall. Watch me blow them away! Don’t worry,


    everyone need is alive!


    Sienna’s brow furrowed in confusion, slowly turning to her children.


    sting fish.., with that kind of noise?


    The Schnabel children hastily nodded in agreement.


    “Oh, yes, that’s right, Mom. You must have misheard.”


    Relieved, Sienna urged, “Thene back soon, baby. I miss you.”


    “Will do.”


    After ending the call, Noe’s smile faded, and she turned to Xavier with a cold gaze. “Can’t you


    keep it down?”


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    This man, whomunicated solely through shouting, was practically bursting her eardrums.


    Xavier scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, grinning. “Sure, you’re right about everything. I


    will do whatever you say!”


    “Where are they?”


    Xavier proudly replied, “Hanging outside! Strung up for everyone to see!”


    After all, Noe had only asked for a living person, not one with all parts intact.


    Noe sighed at Xavier, then turned to Palmer beside her. “Didn’t you ever notice something was off


    with him when youmunicated before?”


    Palmer spread his hands in a helpless gesture, looking at a smug Xavier. “I did, which is why Annie


    usually deals with him. He’s old, so just let him off.”


    Conversing with Xavier always gave Palmer a headache, so he left the task to Annie, who invariably


    needed to recover from the auditory trauma after each call.


    Noe remarked, “Being your assistant is no walk in the park.”


    Palmer chuckled affectionately, gazing at Noe. “If my fiancée is sympathetic, she could marry me


    sooner, and we’d give Annie as long a vacation as our honeymoonsts.”


    Noe dismissed the idea without mercy. “Pretend I didn’t say anything.”


    Watching her swiftly walk away, Palmer knew his fiancée was just shy and chuckled softly before


    rushing to catch up.


    Outside the grim ck tower, a tall woman with a smart pixie cut and dressed in camo gear


    approached


    Xavier.


    “Xavier, did Vocaliste here? Why didn’t you tell me?”


    Xavier flicked away his cigarette butt, his voice cold as steel. “Back off, Lyra. I’m not your secretary,


    am I? Plus, Vocalist was here with his fiancée. Should I have told you so you could send them a


    wedding gift?”


    Lyra’s expression shifted from excitement to shock in an instant.


    When had Vocalist gotten engaged?


    “No way. Xavier, you’re yanking my chain, right?”


    Xavier shot her a frosty look. “What makes you think you’re even worth the joke?”


    11.45


    Noe’s voice floated from behind them, Didn’t I tell you to keep it down? So tacky


    Xavier’s face morphed into a grin, chuckling. “Right, right, keep it down.”


    Lyra’s gaze was glued to Palmerl


    She was finally seeing him again!


    Vocalist…


    Palmer wrapped an arm around Noe’s waist, pulling her close, his voice soft and soothing.


    “Are you pissed or just ying coy?”


    “Neither. I just think you’re delusional.”


    She had never mentioned anything about marrying him; he was the one with the wild imagination.


    Palmer tapped her pert nose affectionately. “Alright, I’m the delusional one. So, my fiancée, any


    idea what pill I should pop to cure me?”


    Xavier shivered with a mock chill, annoyance edging his voice. “I reckon you need rat poison; just


    drop dead already. Can’t you see Noe’s fed up?”


    But Noe didn’t push Palmer away, and Xavier knew he was probably the only one who was truly


    irked! Kids these days… no sense of decorum!


    Seeing the way Lyra’s eyes were practically falling out of her head and sticking to Palmer, Xavier


    knew she was up to no good.


    In the past, Xavier might have enjoyed the spectacle. But now? Anyone who dares to vie with


    Noe for things or people, he’d be the first to burst their bubble!


    Xavier eyed Lyra with a cold detachment. “Got the picture? If you’re here to drop off a wedding gift,


    just hit my bank ount. If it’s anything else, beat it!”