CHapter 193


    ra massaged her temples with a frown. “What did you just say?”


    Yates, that fool, actually suggested that Noe was out to get her?


    As if she would believe that.


    ra replied with barely concealed sarcasm, “Yates, are you absolutely sure your IQ is


    within the normal range? If you need it, I could rmend some good cognitive.


    assessment centers.”


    In ra’s opinion, even that would be a waste – Yates’sck of intelligence was crystal


    clear.


    “What do you mean? I’m telling you the truth out of the goodness of my heart, and you think


    I’m spouting nonsense, Ms. Schnabel? Noe’s just green with envy over your talents and


    abilities. She wants to be the only darling of the Schnabel family. Noe envies the love and


    protection you’ve had from the Schnabel family since you were little. Don’t let her deceive


    you!”


    ra paused before delivering a zinger, “Yates, by any chance, do you know your family’s


    Yvonne? Are you sure you’re not rted? Judging by your intellect, you could very well be


    kin. It’s one thing to be a little slow, but don’t unt your feeble mind and your flimsy, full–


    of–holes lies in front of me. It’s just embarrassing.”


    She hung up and muttered to herself, “What kind of dimwits does the Gruber family breed?


    My sister jealous of me? What’s mine is hers, and what’s hers is… still hers! I was actually


    looking forward to a shopping spree with Noe. But if we step out now, those Grubers. are


    sure to be up to no good.”


    As ra sent the recording of their conversation to the Schnabel family group chat, she


    sighed in frustration. She had finally snagged some unexpected time off and wanted nothing


    more than to enjoy some sisterly bonding at home!


    Noe stood up, offering her hand to ra. “Let’s go shopping.”


    If they let worry over the Gruber family’s antics stop them, it would be ying right into their


    hands. The Grubers didn’t have the power to interfere.


    If they dare to show up, she had ways to make sure they won’t have the chance to bother


    again.


    “Alright! Just let me change!”


    ra scampered off to get dressed, her mood instantly lifted, while Noe’s phone buzzed


    with encrypted messages.


    [Boss, your man’s stirring up trouble with the Shadow Dragon Society. Abyssal


    Organization’s goons have surrounded the Dragon’s den.]


    10:56


    The Shadow Dragon Society tried talling Master Hector and Yasbel, but couldn’t find an


    opening.]


    There was a brief pause before Phecda’s next message came through, along with a few


    photos.


    [Yasbel took Master Hector to an A–list awards ceremony. The ce is swarming with media


    and cameras; the Shadow Dragon Society can’t make a move.]


    In the photos, Yasbel was dressed to the nines, with Hector posing as her assistant. They


    were boldly seated at the event, surrounded by a few burly men with Shadow Dragon Society


    tattoos.


    With Yasbel’s status, the awards ceremony was being broadcast live, with countless media


    outlets and cameras on the scene. The Grubers would be insane to make a move there.


    Noe fell silent. Hector had said he had a way to handle the Shadow Dragon Society


    without wasting any resources and this was it?


    –


    [Boss, the Shadow Dragon Society is on their way to ambush you and your sister. Does


    Abyssal Organization need backup? Vocalist seems to be heading there himself. Boss,


    you’re wicked, letting Mr. Pock charge into battle while you go shopping. Impressive!]


    Phecda was in awe – their boss was ruthless! She yed everyone, even her fiancé! No one


    could deny that their boss was a role model among role models.


    Noe replied with a scowl: [Send me the location. Your sry and bonus are docked for two


    years, and you’re on border dutye year-end. Triple the experiments.]


    Phecda’s shrieks echoed through Pris Star, long and loud.


    “Boss’s just too cruel!”


    She was throwing her fiancé under the bus and now, her dear employee!


    In theb, Ulrich watched ra’s video, listening intently a second time. He peeled off hisb


    coat with deliberate slowness, slipping into a casual trench coat that fluttered. elegantly


    around him.


    “Yates really doesn’t have his head screwed on right. The Gruber family’stest generation


    is doomed, and it wouldn’t hurt to take the whole lot of them down with them.”


    Beckett’s message popped up.


    [I’m prepping for tomorrow’s gemstone auction. Whoever is free can deal with the Gruber


    mess. It’s our show tomorrow, and I don’t want any Grubers there, bringing bad luck!]


    Stirling was on set, Jasper was still tied up at the International–Court, and Ulrich had no


    10:57


    surgeries lined up. He twirled his scalpel before cing it back in its case, replying without a


    second thought.


    [I’m on it.]


    At the Gruber estate, Yates had just finished grappling with another round of questioning,


    his face as stormy as thunder.


    Malvina leaned against the wall, a mocking smile ying on her lips. “Yates, that lowbrow


    trick of yours isn’t gonna fly with Ms. Schnabel. Sure, she might be an adopted gem, but


    she’s also a whiz kid who climbed her way up to a researcher at the Harmonia Country


    Science Research Institute at a tender age


    You really think she’s like those easy girls your


    woo with a few bucks?”


    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Yates red at her, his displeasure unmistakable. “Oh, and you’re any better? It’s not like.


    Mr. Pock is knocking down your door to take you out.”


    Malvina rolled her eyes inwardly. “Mr. Pock, please. Like he’d give me the time of day.


    Give me a break. I’ve got more dignity than that. That guy’s worth could snap up three of the


    Gruber family legacy. A little self–assurance is fine, but too much is just in rude.”


    In Malvina’s eyes, Yates and Walden were the epitome of boneheads They couldn’t seriously


    think their petty schemes would impress Ms. Schnabel, could they?


    Malvina casually ran her fingers through her well–maintained hair. “Besides, neither of two


    can hold a candle to Mr. Pock in looks, physique, or family background. Ms. Schnabel


    doesn’t have a thing for pigs. Why go for pork belly when you’ve got six–pack abs to choose


    from?”


    She never minced her words, not even in front of Yates.


    “Malvina, watch your mouth. Do you even know who you’re talking to?”


    you


    Malvina shrugged nonchntly. “What? Last time I checked, you were just my brother, not


    my dad. Don’t get too big for your britches.”


    The Gruber kids had never been close, and although Yates was Malvina’s brother, they


    didn’t have the same mother.


    “Are you not afraid that I’ll kick you out of the Gruber family?”


    Malvina covered her mouth as if stiflingughter, shaking her finger at him with a look full of


    sly charm. “Yates, let’s just wait and see! Let’s see who ends up with the Gruber family. But


    I’ll bet it’ll be you who gets the boot, just like when I sent your mom packing!”


    Yates’s mother had been ke Gruber’s secretary, never quite fitting in with the family, a


    sore spot for Yates.


    Watching Malvina’s sultry departure, Yates kicked a nearby stool in frustration.


    m the Gruber family’s eldest son, you’re just a woman. Don’t even dream ofpeting with


    me.”


    He waved dismissively at his secretary, pointing toward Malvina’s retreating figure. “From


    now on, I don’t want to see her in the Gruber family ever again!”