CHapter 253
The incident had taken Beckett by surprise, leaving even him a bit rattled. And to think his sister,
Noe, just a girl shy of her twenties, must have been terrified!
Catching the shimmer of fear in Noe’s eyes, Beckett’s heart sank with an overwhelming
protectiveness. His sister was incredibly mature for her age, a trait that both pained andforted
him.
With a tenderness that was rare for him, Beckett gently patted Noe on the head. “Were you
nning to hang out with friends? Go have fun! If you need cash, you know I’m here. And don’t
worry about getting time off, I’ll handle it!”
Clearly, Beckett had misunderstood. He assumed Noe needed a distraction, a brief escape to
unwind.
“Alright, I’ll head off now. See youter, Beckett.”
“And make sure to get that check–up when you’re back. Don’t me me for keep nagging at you; I
just want to make sure you’re alright.”
Taking it as a regr check–up to ease Beckett’s worries, Noe agreed.
She wasn’t ready to let the Schnabel family in on theplexities of Glen Vige just yet. Whether
it was the Pris Star base or the tangled borderlines, it was all better kept away from her family’s
knowledge
for now.
She decided to first reconnect with Stirling and Yasbel.
Watching Noe walk away, her ponytail swaying in the sunlight, Beckett felt a pang of sadness.
His sister seemed too wise beyond her years, leaving him and their siblings wondering how else
they could support her. They could offer her money and love, but Beckett felt there was always
something she kept from them. Perhaps having grown uprgely on her own, she had lost the
ability to rely on others.
This realization weighed heavily on Beckett’s heart.
Nheless, if Noe wasn’t ready to talk, they wouldn’t push her.
Darcy approached, her gaze lingering on the departing Noe. “It’s clear Mr. Schnabel cares deeply
for Noe.”
“Yes, she’s had it tough. Before she came home, we were bracing ourselves for a spoiled or unruly
little
sister.”
After all, Noe had spent neen years away from the Schnabels, raised in the modest Lambert
family of Tranquility City. Considering Briony’s example, they had little hope for a well–raised child.
Beckett rubbed his temples. “No matter what, I was ready to ept her, ws and all.”
He had been prepared to wee an imperfect sister. Yet, Noe’s resilience and maturity only
made Beckett more protective.
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Darcy’s eyes sparkled with unspoken thoughts, quickly hidden away. “Mr. Schnabel, weren’t about
bringing home a troubled child?”
you
worried
“It wouldn’t matter. I’d guide her, as long as she was home.”
The Schnabel siblings had always relied on Beckett; he was the pir of their upbringing. If Noe
turned
out difficult, he’d simply guide her as he had with the others. But Noe seemed to need little from
him,
10:18
leaving Beckett proud yet somewhat disappointed.
Darcy teased, “Never thought you had it in you to be a ‘mom‘.”
A mom? What was that about?
This was a new term for Beckett, raising his curiosity before Darcy moved on.
“Let’s head to my office to sign off the forms. And about earlier, we should check the surveince,
right?”
“Of course.”
Nothing concerning Noe was trivial to Beckett.
Entering Darcy’s office, Beckett noticed the discarded flowers in the bin.
“Sorry, I wasn’t aware of your allergy.”
“It’s okay, Mr. Schnabel. You didn’t need to know my personal issues.”
Darcy, sitting behind her desk, handed Beckett the necessary paperwork.
“Noe’s quite insightful; some sses do bore her. Skipping them won’t hurt her grades.”
“Thanks.”
Beckett, taking out his pen, filled out the forms with great care, his physique betraying his
disciplined lifestyle even in the confines of an office. He scrutinized every detail, determined not to
overlook anything concerning his sister.
Darcy offered, her gaze briefly meeting his before looking away.
“Coffee?”
“No, I’ve cut back.”
Darcy’s eyshes fluttered slightly. “I remembered you liked coffee. Thought you still did.”
Beckett put the pen back, his voice calm and steady, showing no signs of emotion. “People change.
Things I used to like in the past, I no longer enjoy.”
Like Darcy, who once adored irises yet could im an allergy without a flicker of emotion.
Due to stomach issues, Beckett had been advised against coffee by Ulrich and Sienna.
People change, and so could his preferences.
Handing the paperwork back to Darcy, Beckett stood up. “Thank you. I’ll check on that surveince
now.”
“I’ll join you. Noe is my student, after all.”
Beckett didn’t object, stepping aside to let Darcy lead the way.
Beckett’s gaze swept over everything on Darcy’s desk, finally resting on a photo frame. It held a
portrait of Darcy alone, d in a graduation gown, clearly taken at her PhD ceremony.
That photo… it looked like one he had taken!
“Do you not disy a photo with your husband?”
Darcy’s voice remained even, devoid of emotion. “No need.”
10:18
Beckett nodded, not pressing further. He understood the boundaries and decorum required when
interacting with a married woman, and he maintained them well.
Is Mr. Schnabel still a bachelor?”
“Not for long.
Darcy hesitated slightly at his response but didn’t stop walking.
“Then let me offer my early congrattions to Mr. Schnabel. When’s the big day? You’ll have to let
me buy you a celebratory drink.”
“Next May.”
Hearing such a specific date made it clear Beckett had already been nning his wedding. As for
who the lucky person was, that didn’t seem like her ce to ask. Darcy felt an inexplicable
bitterness in her throat, dry and unable to articte a response.
Beckett himself didn’t even know he was supposed to get married next May. But setting a date for a
wedding, only to call it offter, was not unheard of for him.
After all, even with everything prepared and amid his great anticipation, his bride–to–be could still
leave hìm.
He was no stranger to that experience.