CHapter 249


    winter lowered his voice to a near whisper, audible only to Noe and himself.


    Pay nice, and I help you with whatever you need ”


    Noe withdrew her foot, taking several sips of ice–cold water to calm herself.


    Why did she get the feeling Palmer’s words held a double meaning?


    Beckett pressed his fingers against his temples. “Yvonne is going too far. Why is she never


    satisfied? Not only did she poison Ashlyn, but she always targets Noe!”


    why she keeps pushing her luck. We might as well maroon


    Malvina shrugged her shoulders. “I think Noe’s been too soft on her. That’s w her on a deserted


    ind and let her fend for herself.”


    Malvina had seen Noe throw a punch or two in her time. If those fists evernded on Yvonne’s


    sour face, a couple of hits and Yvonne would be knocking on heaven’s door.


    Unch cast a nce at Malvina. “That would be illegal.”


    “What? And your punch at the hospital wasn’t? Got it. It’s all part of your special treatment for psych


    patients!”


    Unch met Beckett’s puzzled gaze and coughed into his fist, pushing Malvina’s head back down to


    her meal.


    Hin hadshed out at Yvonnest time because she had insulted Malvina and spread nasty rumors


    about the Schnabel family. If he had known she wouldn’t leam her lesson, he would have hit her


    harder!


    Malvina checked the message on her phone.


    “Noe darling. Yvonne is threatening to livestream and expose your so–called crimes. Talk about


    shameless!”


    Malvina marveled at Yvonne’s audacity, which seemed as imprable as city walls!


    o live).


    With swift thumbs, Noe issuedmands through her phone. [Track the ount; let her go


    Heh, this is going to be good!]


    Alioth rubbed his hands together gleefully, ready for the show to begin


    Beckett soothes Noe. “Noe, I will take care of this, including the Yvonne situation. You don’t


    need to worry


    Thanks, Beckett”


    As impenal University, a sleek Cullinan pulled up, and Palmer handed a bag to Noe, his gaze


    soft


    “Tile pick you up when you’re done”


    No need to bother, I can take a cab home.”


    Seeing Palmer’s insistence and remembering her promise from the night before, Noe nodded in


    agreement.


    “Then I’m off”


    “You don’t have many sses today. Are you going to e theres a restaurant nearby owned by the


    Pock Group.”


    lolle stood at the entrance, puzzled by Palmer’s excessive care.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Was he this considerate with everyone?


    Tm fine with the canteen.”


    ith your ssmate? If the canteen doesn’t serve anything you like,


    Paimer didn’t press further. “I’ve put some snacks and a thermos in your bag M


    “Palmer, why are you fussier than my dad?”


    you drink plenty of warm water.”


    In fact, on the way here, Palmer had even fixed Noe’s hair and cor – something even Tristan


    hadn’t fussed over so much!


    A rare flush of embarrassment crossed Palmer’s face. “Ungrateful kid, I’m just worried about you”


    an adult, not a three–year–old. Or maybe, like the Schnabel family, Palmer subconsciously treated


    her like a child?


    This realization always struck Noelia as a bit odd


    As Noe nodded and walked away, Annie, sitting in the driver’s seat, couldn’t help but chuckle.


    Feeling the chill and pressure from the back seat, she quickly suffed her urge tough aloud.


    10 27


    Thats her idol, Ma Noe, for you! She dared to say such things right in front of Bona!


    Palmer’s re was icy as he wamed, “Annie, if you no longer want this job, just say sol


    Annie promptly mmed up


    Imperial University was vast, and following the map shedmitted to memory, Noe easily found


    the lecture hall. As she entered, the noisy ssroom hushed. Her performance of High Mountain


    and Flowing River had already made her a campus sensation!


    Seeing her in person, more stunning than in the videos, her ethereal demeanor captivated many


    hearts. Some people were born to be


    the cente, of attention!


    The girl, dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans with a sleek ponytail, exposed a slender neck


    through the neckline, looking sharp and spirited. This contrasted starkly with her fairy–like image


    from yesterday, yet still a sight that captivated many


    “Noe’s so gorgeous. I wonder if she has a boyfriend.”


    “I heard she’s already engaged. Don’t get your hopes up”


    “Noe could be our campus queen with those looks.”


    Listening to the unabashed conversations around her, Oriana rolled her eyes, envious of how


    beautiful Noe looked even in such simple clothes. But upon closer inspection, Noe’s clothes


    didn’t seem branded.


    Could it be that Ms. Schnabel wasn’t as favored as they thought?


    The thought made Onana secretly gloat.


    After all, a country girl plucked from obscunty probably knew nothing, and it would be normal for a


    prominent family like the Schnabels to look down on her.


    Oriana intentionally raised her voice. “I wonder if those news stories from yesterday have affected


    Nocta.”


    At the mention of the news, the ssmates expressions soured.


    Seeing people pay attention to her, Oriana’s voice grew even louder. “I never expected Noe to be


    this kind of person. You think you know someone but…


    Noe, slouched in the back row with her legs stretched out, overheard the whisper and let out a


    derisive snort.


    “What kind of person would that be?” she asked, her voice low but carrying enough to make heads


    turn.


    Her tone was a mix of resolve, cool detachment, and biting sarcasm that sent shivers down spines.


    She sounded like a mountain stream–clear and distant- yet her wordsnded like thunderps.


    She twirled a fountain pen between her fingers absentmindedly. It was a morning gift from Marcel,


    who imed it held sentimental value from his own school days.


    “What kind of person am I, exactly? Enlighten me. What does ‘you think you know someone, but


    even mean? Do you know me, or just my reputation?”


    she be hiding at home, too ashamed to show her face


    Oriana hadn’t expected Noe to retort, especially not here, not now. Shouldn’t she be here?


    A flush crept up Oriana’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean anything bytte just all the gossip online, it’s not


    exactly painting you in the best light


    Noe’s lips curled into a ful smile, a light and airy expression that chilled to the bone. Her


    eyes, icy andmanding, transformed her into a queen of ice and snow causing the room


    temperature to drop.


    “Oh, really? Then it seems you might becking some grey matter. No capacity for judgment, just a


    mouthpiece for rumors. Seems like this ssmate’s brain and gut are pretty much the same full of


    the same stuff.


    10:27