CHapter 187


    Walden’s face flushed a deep crimson, resembling an overcooked slice of liverwurst.


    The public humiliation was unbearable, all because of their envy of his exceptional talent. They


    feared he might indeed be the heir to the Gruber family, trampling the Pock and Schnabel


    names in the mud.


    Doubt gnawed at Walden. He couldn’t risk betting on whether Arthur would side with Noe and


    Palmer and cast him aside. If he was barred from the gemstone auction, his footing within the


    Gruber family would crumble to dust!


    “Grandpa, I pulled all the strings to make today’s auction happen. Without me, it might all fall


    apart.”


    Hearing this, Noe said coolly, “Palmer, let’s go. I’ll inform my brother that the Schnabels needn’t


    associate with the Grubers any longer.”


    “As you wish.”


    Arthur clenched his teeth. “Walden! Let your brother take the lead today, and you’d better y


    second fiddle!”


    “Grandpa!”


    The bitterness was palpable. Walden had ved over the preparations, even securing the


    Gemstone Gambling King’s presence. Why should all this benefit only his brother Yates Gruber?


    “Have my words lost their weight?” Arthur challenged.


    With gritted teeth, Walden conceded, “Yes!”


    Arthur’s word wasw in the Gruber family. Even if Walden had yed his cards right to win a


    chance from Arthur, defiance was not an option.


    Malvina sprang to her feet and waved excitedly into the distance, “Yates! Grandpa’s asking for you


    to take over! He’s really rolling out the red carpet for you!”


    Walden’s heart bled as he watched Malvina’s disy. “Malvina, haven’t you always wanted to meet


    Mr. Pock? Today’s your chance…”


    Arthur’s gaze fell on Malvina. If she could snag Palmer’s attention, the Gruber–Pock alliance


    could strengthen, paving the way to fully absorb the Schnabels.


    Palmer’s engagement to the Schnabels was just one of many high–society unions. Ultimately, it


    was Palmer’s call to make, and Arthur wasn’t overly concerned.


    “Oh? Malvina wants to get acquainted with Mr. Pock? Why didn’t you tell me before?” Arthur


    feigned surprise.


    Malvina paused, then stered on a sugary smile. “Now you know, Grandpa. Not only have I


    met Mr. Pock, but I’ve also made friends with his fiancéel”


    She turned to Noe, grasping her hand. “Noe and I are already pals!”


    Meeting her pleading gaze, Noe sensed the tremors in Malvina’s grip. Fear doesn’t lie; Malvina


    was terrified. It seemed even she wasn’t entirely at ease around the formidable Arthur.


    Noe nodded. “Malvina is… interesting.”


    “Aww, Noe!” Malvina looked at her touchingly.


    Arthur’s stern eyes scrutinized the bond between Malvina and Noe, weighing the odds of Malvina


    making a y for Palmer.


    *Heh, if Malvina and Ms. Schnabel are such good friends, then spend today with Ms. Schnabel and


    Mr. Pock. Don’t embarrass the Gruber name.”


    “Will do, Grandpa!”


    Arthur’s nce wasden with a silent threat that made Malvina stiffen.


    As Walden wheeled Arthur away, he shot Noe a venomous look..


    How could Ms. Schnabel be blind to his earnestness, favoring Palmer’s pretty–boy charm over


    him?


    Watching their retreating silhouettes, Malvina exhaled in relief.


    Noe’s voice breezed in, “You fear your grandfather.”


    Malvina replied with a bitter smile, “Honey, you’re better off not knowing why I’m scared of him. He’s


    a real monster! His asking me to stick with you probably means he wants me to seduce Mr. Pock,


    but rx, I’ve got zero interest in him, I just need to hang around you, or else…”


    Malvina’s candor was evident. She shuddered, unwilling to recall what Arthur’s punishments


    entailed for disobedience.


    “Please, let me be with you guys. I swear I won’t go after Mr. Pock, at most, maybe just you!”


    Noe was speechless.


    Palmer’s face hardened, and he reached for Noe’s hand, saying coldly, “Malvina, you should


    keep your distance from Noe.”


    “If I distance myself from her, I’ll just end up closer to you. Even if you won’t be annoyed by that, I


    will be disgusted! Sweet Noe, let me stick by your side! Pretty please, I’m begging you!” Malvina


    batted her eyshes at Noe, pleading adorably.


    10.54


    Noe was somewhat familiar with Arthur’s tactics.


    The Gruber empire was built on shady dealings, branching off from the Richardson legacy to


    dabble in the underworld. Arthur’s attire hinted at ties with the Shadow Dragon Society, an


    organization never associated with thewful. The Gruber family’s business dealings had always


    skirted the edges of the criminal world.


    “I’d like to know something about the Gruber family.”


    Malvina breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure thing, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”


    All that mattered was that Noe would allow her to stick around. Otherwise, once they left, Arthur


    would surely have her hide!


    Malvina led them through the venue, holding Noe’s hand, whispering exnations. “I did say I


    was interested in Mr. Pock before, but that was out of necessity. It was because my granddad


    wanted to set me up in a marriage of convenience with one of his business associates.”


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    “You don’t like that guy?”


    “Are you kidding me? That guy is uglier than Walden! The first time I saw him, I thought he was a


    gender–bent version of Yvonne. So hideous I couldn’t sleep for three days!”


    Noe got it. Malvina was attracted to good–looking folks. Her unfriendliness toward Yvonne and


    Walden was mostly because they weren’t easy on the eyes.


    Quite a straightforward reason!


    “Mr. Pock, though, he’s got status, money, and most importantly, he ignores me! He never replies


    to my messages. Grandpa Sexton was pretty chill when I went to see himst time, so I got to


    report back without a hitch!”


    Noe was surprised. “You went to see Grandpa Sexton just to report back?”


    “Yeah, I swear, I’ve got zero interest in your man! If I’m lying, may I break out with e so bad that I


    can’t show my face outside!”


    Just the thought of that scenario was almost enough to make Malvina cry.


    Noe chuckled softly. She could tell Malvina was serious, and her attitude toward Palmer didn’t


    seem like she had any real designs on him.


    “I believe you.”


    “Thanks a million, Noe, darling! You guys wait here for a sec; I’ll go up front and smooth things


    over!”


    Malvina lifted her skirt and hurried off toward the front of the venue.


    Palmer slung an arm around Noe’s waist, drawing her close into his embrace. His forehead


    touched Noe’s, his voice muffled. “So, you don’t care about it at all?”


    10.54


    Palmer didn’t want Noelle to be swayed by some random woman, but his heart sank when he saw


    Noe discussing him with Malviha without any algn of jealousy or emotion.


    Noe looked Into Palmer’s deep eyes. “But she’s not interested in you,”


    That’s not the point.”


    Noe didn’t understand. If that wasn’t the paint, what was?


    Palmer sighed softly, still holding Noe close. “Never mind, I’m overthinking it. It’s normal for you


    not to care too much, especially since it’s all been one–sided on my part.”


    Noe’sshes cast a shadow as she instinctively wanted to rify that it wasn’t what she meant.


    Suddenly, the table beside them shook.


    The tablecloth was lifted, and there was Yasbel with a piece of cake in her mouth and Master


    Hector beside her, both looking eagerly at Noe and Palmer.


    “Haha, Boss, what a coincidence! Don’t mind us, carry on, carry on…”