CHapter 226


    ncing at the designer outfits hugging the frames of Noe and Malvina, the shopkeeper knew


    instantaneously that these weredies with deep pockets!


    Rich folks, especially young heiresses, were his favorite–they were the easiest to dupe, swallowing


    any story he spun.


    Ladies, looking for some fine jade? Everything in my store is top–shelf material!” he boasted, his


    face a grotesque mask of greed despite his attempt at a weing smile.


    Noe observed the hands of the shopkeeper. Theycked the calluses of a man who’d done time


    in the underworld, let alone the skilled hands of a true jade connoisseur. Clearly, he was a chatan


    hired to swindle unsuspecting customers.


    Sensing their silence, the shopkeeper feared letting two cash cows slip through his fingers. “Our


    pieces are unique treasures you can’t find just anywhere. Take this bangle, for instance–it’s top–of–


    the–line ssy Type!”


    Noe eyed the bangle in his hand, a chunk of resin masquerading as luxury. “A high–end piece


    made of stic?”


    The shopkeeper’s hands trembled–a giveaway,


    How had the girl discerned the fraud?


    Maintaining hisposure, he shed another smile. “Ah, I see you have an eye for quality, miss.


    Then perhaps this piece will meet your standards. Genuine ssy Type!”


    Noe arched a brow. “ssy Type made of actual ss?”


    The shopkeeper’s smile faltered. His counterfeits were usually top–notch, but this youngdy saw


    through them with just a nce? In the past, when daughters of fortune came shopping for jade,


    they’d be fobbed off with resin or ss imitations. However, it seemed they had encountered a true


    connoisseur this time.


    The shopkeeper’s demeanor shifted as he scrutinized Noe.


    She appeared young, barely twenty, perhaps a novice in the world of jade, having picked up a trick


    or two from her family’s dealings? If she truly understood the value of jade, she wouldn’t have set


    foot in his shop–something any genuine aficionado would know. After all, not a single item in his


    store was a genuine ssy Type.


    “You’re not here to shop? Then what do you want?” he asked, a hint of hostility creeping into his


    voice.


    Noe’s gaze was icy as she replied, “We’re looking for the real boss of this establishment”


    “I am the boss. What business do you have with me?”


    “You’re not.”


    Even a shop dedicated to selling fakes wouldn’t have a clueless man at the helm.


    With a dismissive nce, Noe took Malvina by the arm and they left.


    The shopkeeper watched them leave, sensing something amiss


    Had these two young womene merely to cause trouble? If they were looking for a fight, he


    wouldn’t let them leave unscathed.


    His expression deepened as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number


    After narrating the events, the person on the other end chuckled coldly. “Tail them. See which store


    they enter. If someone’s trying to mess with me, make sure they never return home!*


    As Noe and Malvina appeared on the surveince feed, the caller’s gaze shifted to a man


    shrouded in the shadows.


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    The middle–aged man who’d just issued threats suddenly wore a different expression.


    “Mr. Larson Pock, that girl is Palmer Pock’s darling. You really want to cross her here?*


    Larson leisurely sipped his drink, ncing at Noe on the monitor. Even through the grainy


    footage, her graceful figure was evident.


    “Palmer is still wet behind the ears, choosing such a naive girl. She’s pretty, sure, but she’s nothing


    but a canary”


    His smirk was cruel. “Td love to see if Palmer’s reaction will be more entertaining than the past if he


    finds his canary breathless.”


    “But she is from the Schnabel family. If we harm her, how will we exin ourselves to the


    Schnabels?”


    “Once I take the helm of the Pock family, even the Schnabels won’t dare cross me!” Larson’s


    confidence was palpable.


    Palmer’s mother hade from a simr background, yet they hadn’t touched him. As long as he


    remained a Pock, all he needed was for that young fool to die in despair, leaving the leadership


    role open. What could the Schnabels do to him then?


    “Send a few men. It won’t take much to deal with that girl. Just make sure she breathes herst.


    And let it be slow. After all, I’d like my dear nephew to witness his sweetheart’s final moments”


    “Understood fl see to it immediately”


    10.43 G


    Exiting the jade shop, Noe led Malvina to an antique store across the street


    Upon entry, the curt voice from behind the counter greeted them. “Look around if you must, but I


    doubt you can afford anything here.”


    Noe replied coldly, “Megrez, what in this store could possibly be beyond my reach?


    Hearing the familiar voice, Megrez looked up and instantly swapped his disdain for sycophancy.


    “Heh, Boss, what brings you here?”


    “We’ve got some tails. Take care of it.”


    Malvina was baffled. Tails? Someone was following us? I didn’t notice anything!”


    She watched in astonishment as Megrez pulled a sniper rifleplete with a silencer from under


    the counter and sauntered out the door


    Her jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared at Noe. “Honey, aren’t the people you associate with a


    bit too… wild?”


    But when she turned back, Noe was already reclining on a rocking chair within the shop, eyes


    closed in rxation, sipping coffee, with a mysterious cat nestled on herp.


    The serene scene almost made Malvina forget the sounds of struggle and screams emanating from


    outside.


    1 § 2 2 3 2 601 32 32 0 3 1 9 2 3 9 € 2 3


    Surely, it had to be her imagination.


    Noe opened her eyes and beckoned to Malvina with a wave. “There’s a stool over here,e


    take a seat. It won’t be long; the line isn’t too crazy. We’ll be done in no time.”


    “Alright!”


    Half an hourter, Megrez came whistling back inside, casually wiping a smudge of blood from his


    cheek. “Boss, they were all sent by


    Larson Pock,”


    Megrez felt a tinge of disappointment. “Too easy. They spilled the beans after just a couple of


    threats. Not a single tough nut in the bunch. Doesn’t give me much of a thrill, you know?”


    Larson? That must be Palmer’s distant uncle- bold enough to cross her and clearly on Palmer’s bad


    side. Think she’s an easy target?


    That’s augh and a half!


    Noe settled back into her chair, closing her eyes, her hand gently caressing the sleek, soft fur of


    her cat.


    “Another group’s on their way, so get ready for your thrill. Not one left standing”