CHapter 251


    10:17


    Did the Schnabel family really set their kid up with apany gig this early?


    Darcy’s mouth twitched, suddenly hit with a wave of upper–ss culture shock.


    She remembered finding so many sses boring back in school, but why didn’t she have a dozen


    companies managing her affairs?


    Talk about a humbly extravagant excuse!


    Darcy had thought Noe simply didn’t want to attend school and had prepared a bunch of


    arguments to persuade her to take her studies seriously. Now, she realized that even with her own


    sry, she was reaching for the stars.


    Before leaving the office, Noe’s gaze fell on a bunch of flowers beside Darcy’s trash bin- vibrant


    purple irises, full of life, with a card bearing strong and vigorous handwriting.


    “Wishing you all the best. May you soar high.”


    Though unsigned, it was clearly Beckett’s handwriting!


    The flowers were wrapped in the same paper as the bouquet Beckett had given Noe yesterday,


    from the florist shop beneath Beckett’spany building.


    Beckett’s flowers, tossed carelessly into the trash by Darcy?


    Noe paused. “Ms. Darcy, are these from Beckett?”


    Darcy didn’t shy away from answering, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear with a smile. “Yes, it


    was his way of asking me to look after you. But Beckett doesn’t know I’m allergic to irises. Since


    your parents are abroad, it would be best if you could get Beckett to sign the application tu S.”


    “Alright, I’ll let him know.”


    How did Darcy know Tristan and Sienna were out of the country?


    Noe didn’t ask for more details; she simply nodded and left the office.


    As she opened the door, a few eavesdroppers stumbled backward in aical fall, awkwardly


    facing Noe.


    Noe swept her gaze over them, the majority of whom were friends of Oriana, probably there to


    see if Noe got scolded by Darcy.


    The situation was momentarily awkward.


    Noe didn’t spare them a nce, stepping away and leaving the scene.


    After Beckett was informed about signing the forms, he called Darcy.


    Darcy paused for a moment before adding, “Thank you for the gesture, Mr. Schnabel, but there’s no


    need for flowers next time. I’m allergic to all pollen.”


    It seemed likely Beckett’s assistant chose the flowers on a whim.


    “Sorry, I wasn’t aware. Can I make it up to you over dinner? My treat, and we can discuss Noe’s


    situation.”


    10:17


    “No need, I’ve got a lot on my te with school. It would be best if you coulde by soon, Mr.


    Schnabel.” Beckett didn’t press further, agreeing before ending the coll.


    Darcy received another call and hurriedly left the office.


    Oriana and her group were surprised; Noe wasn’t scolded and didn’t seem prepared to even


    attend sses. How could the college agree to this?


    “Typical Ms. Noe, some people just don’t belong in school.”


    Oriana’s eyesnded on the design drafts on Darcy’s table, sparkling with admiration.


    Could these amazing drafts have been left by Noe?


    Just from the sketches, one could see the designer’s talent and skill level. How could a college


    freshman like Noe draw these? Could the Schnabel family have hired a master designer to help


    her skip school?


    The more Oriana thought about it, the more convinced she became that it was true!


    The Schnabel family was truly out of line. It was clear that only they, with their newfound wealth,


    could do such a thing.


    Then, she remembered the Schnabel family proudly sending Noe off to school, fussing over her


    every move. When Noe yed the zither, the Schnabel family radiated pride and joy.


    Oriana even saw Sienna wiping away tears. “My baby is so talented. She must have worked so


    hard!”


    Tristan was busyforting Sienna, their eyes shining as if Noe was a precious treasure to be


    cherished.


    And there Oriana was, without even a single person to send her off to school. Her jealousy twisted


    into something ugly.


    She eyed those design drafts with a new greed.


    In the spacious, well–lit CEO’s office of Rising Glory Group, the distinct sound of a pen scratching


    against paper echoed through the room.


    Jasper, d in an extravagant floral shirt, lounged in Beckett’s office, looking over Noe’s leave


    application.


    “Many sses are indeed boring. I applied for exemptions when I was in college, too. It’s a good


    opportunity for Noe to explore other interests.”


    Beckett responded, “Noe can pursue whatever she desires. We don’t need others‘ opinions to


    support her interests. Have you filed thewsuits?”


    Jasper scrolled through his device and sent a long list to Beckett.


    “All filed, including against Yvonne Gruber and Briony Lambert, the main culprits. They’ll be


    enjoying a day in court soon. But Beckett, should we file one for you too?”


    Beckett frowned, “For me? I don’t have any legal issues!”


    Rising Glory Group’s legal department, while not as top–notch as Jasper’s own firm, was still


    among the best in the industry.


    DIA


    10:17


    Jasper shrugged. “Didn’t you almost get married back in the day? If it weren’t for those rumors


    about you having an illegitimate child, I’d have a sister–inw by now.”


    Beckett had remained unmarried for many years, and the Schnabel family


    hadn’t pressed the issue,rgely due to the fallout from those past rumors.


    Sienna feared Beckett hadn’t moved on, so they never broached the subject again.


    Lately, seeing Noe and Palmer getting along so well, Sienna felt relieved but couldn’t help


    worrying about her eldest son.


    Beckett’s pen identally poked through the paper.


    “It doesn’t matter. What happened in the past is over.”


    Recently, Rising Glory Group acquired a few plots ofnd, and some are starting to stir the pot


    again, buying into those old rumors. Doesn’t that bother you?”


    Beckett put away his things, straightening his suit. “If they want to make a fuss, we’ll handle it by the


    book. There’s no need for anything more.”


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Jasper gave a meaningful chuckle. “Beckett, you’ve been single for years. Still waiting for that


    lady?”


    “Nonsense!”


    Beckett looked at his wless reflection in the mirror. The man’s face was resolute, and despite


    days of work, he didn’t seem overly tired. His eyes held an indescribable sharpness.


    Jaspermented, “Beckett, with that face, you’ve got all the youngdies in thepany sighing,


    ‘What a shame he ever opens his mouth‘. If you were a bit sweeter, I’d have a sister–inw by now.


    How about chasing after your ex?”


    After all, not many could handle Beckett’s sharp tongue!


    Beckett nced at him, his tone neutral. “She’s married now. Do you think I can be the other


    man?”


    “It’s only the unloved who are the other men. Wait! Your ex is married? That’s too bad, definitely not


    appropriate.”


    That woman, who was nearly Beckett’s wife once, was said to be his college mate. The Schnabel


    family had never met her, scared off by those rumors about Beckett.


    Jasper felt a bit of regret, about to say more, but then saw Beckett striding out of the office.


    “Beckett, where are you headed?”


    “Off to the university to arrange course exemptions for Noe.”


    Meanwhile, just as Noe stepped out of the lecture hall, her phone buzzed with a call from Nn.


    “Boss, your brother, Sterling, was filming in Glen Vige. He then dropped by Verdant Garden, and


    now we can’t reach him!”


    Stirling had been nearing the end of his filming project in Glen Vige.


    Noe frowned. “Isn’t Yasbel there filming too?”


    Yasbel, as a member of Pris Star, wouldn’t simply go missing.


    10:18


    “Can’t reach Yasbel either. We found her tracker in a ditch! Boss, we need you!”