CHapter 191


    Yates’s eyes sparkled with intrigue at his secretary’s words. “But she’s just an adoptee, what a


    waste.


    “Sir, an adoptee is still a daughter of the Schnabels, and a cherished researcher at that,” the


    secretary reminded him.


    Yates stroked his chin, his face a canvas of schemes. “Two daughters, and this one has little value.


    But if something were to happen to that annoying one, wouldn’t she be the sole heiress?”


    Yates was angling for a lucrative alliance with the Schnabels, and he knew he had to pick the most


    profitable match. Only as an only child could she inherit the undivided wealth of the Schnabels,


    allowing him to clinch an absolute victory in the inheritance battle of the Grubers.


    If Ms. Schnabel wasn’t the right fit, he could always set his sights on another Ms. Schnabel!


    “Make the arrangements. Such a trifle should be well within your capabilities.”


    “Yes, sir.”


    Outside the Gruber mansion, Master Hector waved at Noe. “Noe, Yasbel and I will head out to


    make some preparations. See you tomorrow!”


    Noe nodded. “Stay safe. The Grubers might do something.”


    Master Hector dismissed the concern with a casual wave, clearly not intimidated by the Grubers.


    “Don’t worry, I’d be disappointed if they didn’t try. The Grubers think they can. cause me trouble?


    Hmph!”


    Years of dealing with the rough–and–tumble of the gemstone world had seasoned Master Hector


    well.


    Lucian chuckled. “Your life’s get leaper by the day. The Grubers are no threat. It’s the


    Shadow Dragon Society behind them that ys for keeps.”


    “I don’t care if it’s dragons or snakes; they all bow down before me!”


    Lucian’s steely gaze rested on Noe, suggesting, “Take care of yourself… and when ra has a


    moment, have here see me. I hold her dear!”


    Noe understood Lucian’s hint. “I’ll let her know.”


    Watching Master Hector and Lucian leave, Malvina idly yed with her hair. “Noe, darling,


    knowing Yates as I do, you and your sister better watch your backs.”


    10-56


    the coutin’t be too direct, but she trusted that clever Noelle would get


    toà


    will, thank you?


    Let’s exchange contact info, please!”


    it was clear Malvina wasn’t having the easiest time with the Grubers, Noe agreed, and they


    exchanged contact details.


    “Yay! Rest assured, as long as I’m around, Yvonne won’t have a day of peacel”


    Noe smiled lightly. “She’s no concern of mine.”


    To Noe, Yvonne was a mere jester, not worth her attention.


    “That’s even better. If there were ties, I’d have to be more careful dealing with her.”


    “Do as you please.”


    Malvina simply found Yvonne irksome, and Noe’s response was all the assurance she needed.


    On the way back, Palmer was still beaming with joy.


    Noe nced at him and airily remarked, “It’s just a piece of emerald, Mr. Pock. Haven’t you


    seen the world?”


    Palmerughed softly, his eyes gleaming as they settled on Noe. “I’m just assessing the


    rtionship between my fiancée and Master Hector.”


    From Master Hector’s demeanor towards Noe to his support for the Schnabels, and the fact that


    Noe casually picked a top–grade ssy Type emerald, along with Yasbel treating Noe with


    such respect… If he wasn’t mistaken, the Gemstone Gambling King had a close connection with his


    littledy–perhaps Noe was the King herself!


    He knew his fiancée was a treasure, but the thrill of uncovering more of her secrets made


    him cherish her even more.


    “The Gemstone Gambling King was quite active in Northstone, and coincidentally, you were there at


    the same time, weren’t you?”


    Noe replied coolly, “Today was just a stroke of luck.”


    “I’m not one to believe in luck, my dear. Luck is inconsequential when faced with


    undeniable skill, wouldn’t you agree?”


    Palmer had never put stock in luck; while buying lottery tickets might require a stroke of it,


    gemstone gambling demanded skill!


    Otherwise, why hadn’t someone lucky usurped Master Hector’s ce?


    10:56)


    softened. “Those years in Nor


    sent the Geinstonedambling King was shining brightest


    He knew quite a bit about the Gemstone Gambling King’s movements, which nerity matched the


    scope of activities of the Obelisk Organization!


    Noe gave him a aldelong nce. “And your point is7”


    Palmer ruffled Noe’s hair affectionately. “Just that you’re pretty amazing, Noe. As a reward, I’ll


    take you to the hottest new restaurant downtown”


    Noe’s heart skipped, her pulse quickening. Looking at Palmer, she suddenly asked, “Palmer,


    don’t you have anything better to do?”


    As the CEO of the Pock Group, one would think he’d be swamped with work, yet he always


    seemed to find the time to share meals with her.


    Holding Noe’s hand, Palmer spoke honestly. “Swamped? More like drowning in it! But what’s the


    point of all that busy if I can’t make time for my thoughts of you and being with you? Noe, you


    can’t strip me of that right.”


    Seeing her, all his fatigue seemed to melt away. The cutthroat politics within the Group, the


    undercurrents roiling through the Pock family none of it mattered anymore!


    After dinner, Palmer dropped Noe back at Schnabel Manor and watched her ascend the steps


    before driving off.


    As soon as Noe exited the car, the warmth inside plummeted. Palmer reached for his sses,


    sliding them off the bridge of his nose, his eyes unmasking a chilling intent.


    “Annie, Noe used a hidden de in Emerald County once. Find out what that was all


    about.”


    “Will do. Also, Boss, should we tell Ms. Noe about the findings from ourst investigation?”


    Palmer’s eyes narrowed, a hint of red within them, his gaze sharp and lethal. “No need. If we tell


    Noe, she’ll surely dive into her own investigation, and that’s too dangerous. Set up another date


    for me and her.”


    Annie couldn’t help but blurt out, “Boss, aren’t you worried Ms. Noe will think you’re clingy?”


    Even she noticed her boss transformed whenever he was with Ms. Noe. It was only Ms. Noe’s


    good nature that hadn’t sent him packing.


    Thinking of Noe’s face, Palmer felt the gloom in his heart dissipate slightly.


    “It’s fine,” he murmured almost to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of mncholy and bitterness.


    “If Noe gets tired of me, I’ll just vanish for a few days. She won’t suspect a thing.”


    10.56


    Annie was taken aback by the depth of his sentiment, but she remained silent. Even as an outsider,


    she was moved by the lengths her boss would go for Ms. Noe.


    “Are we really not going to tell Ms. Noe?”


    “There’s no need to trouble her with it.”


    With a light chuckle, Palmer shook his head and the conversation drifted to a close.


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    “Keep ra safe, and keep tabs on the Gruber family. Let the Shadow Dragon Society vanish from


    Imperial City!”


    “Understood. I’ll arrange it.”


    The Gruber family had crossed a line with Palmer today! The worst mistake they made was casting


    their filthy schemes on Noe and the sole daughter of the Pock family!


    Meanwhile, ra’s phone buzzed with a new message.


    [Ms. Schnabel, wouldn’t you like to know who was behind the Phoenix Lab incident?]