CHapter 264


    Ten minutester, a cloud of dust kicked up outside the coffee shop. A bright red sports car


    screeched to a halt at the entrance, and out stepped Jasper, d in an exclusive, mboyant floral


    shirt paired with trendy hip–hop wide–leg pants. His meticulously styled hair showcased several


    colors.


    He whistled at the valet, tossing him the keys with a flick of his wrist. This man, exuding fashion


    sense from every pore, initially didn’t catch Darcy’s attention until he boldly took the seat right in


    front of her!


    Darcy was nearly blinded by the sparkle of at least seven rings on his hand under the incandescent


    lights. He smirked, an carring dangling from one ear his handsome featuresplemented by his


    shy outfit, almost making Darcy mistake him for some pop star fresh off a music video shoot!


    “Hello, partner at Four Seasons Law Firm, Jasper.”


    “Jasper?”


    “That’s me. Sorry if I startled you”


    Jasper smoothly presented his attomey’s license and ID to prove his identity, a routine he was all


    too familiar with by now. It was evident that he had surprised quite a few clients befom.


    After checking the documents, Darcy finally rxed. “Hello, Jasper. I’ve already briefed you on the


    matter. It’s about an inheritance


    Issue


    Despite his shy appearance, Jasper’s professional knowledge and ethic were impable, quickly


    grasping the entire situation from the documents Darcy had prepared.


    “So, you’re looking to reim your father’s inheritance in the best possible way? However, if I may


    be so o bold, given your stepmother’s marital status to your father, the portion of the inheritance


    you’re entitled to might not be substantial


    Darcy nodded. ‘Tunderstand, but I believe they weren’t legally married.”


    your marital


    “Commonw mariages under certain conditions can still grant a spouse inheritance rights. Another


    question, what’s your status? This could also impact your inheritance rights.”


    I’m single, never mamed, and so is my sister”


    Jasper snapped his fingers, tucking his pen back into the pocket of his mboyant shirt


    “Great, I’ve got all I need to know. Your case isn’tplicated, I’ll do everything in my power to


    maximize the benefits for you and your


    “Thank you Jasper. Il pay your fee ording to your standard rates!”


    Jasper shed a bright smile. “No need for that. You’re Noe’s teacher, and I’m Noe’s brother. Il


    give you a 50% discount! We’ll be seeing more of each other regarding Noe’s matters!”


    Darcy hadn’t expected that the man she’d been talking to was Beckett’s brother! She


    subconsciously squeezed the bag on herp, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.


    “Wasn’t Beckett Schnabel always the one handling Noe’s affairs?”


    “Beckett’s been busy, he took thest flight out for business meetings! From now on, you cane


    to me for anything regarding Noe! Pleasure doing business!”


    Jasper’sugh was open and hearty as he extended his hand to Darcy.


    “Pleasure doing business, Jasper,”


    Meanwhile, Palmer opened the car door, letting Noe and ra step out


    The car stopped in front of a quaint courtyard nestled within Imperial City, its antique charm


    standing out amid the surrounding skyscrapers, like a hidden gem exuding elegance.


    The weing pines at the entrance, clearly worth a fortune, hinted at the restaurant’s prestigious


    status just from its decor.


    ra was about toment on the impressive appearance of the ce when the owner greated


    them at the door bowing respectfully


    to Noe and Palmer


    ‘Dear guests, Mr. Pock awaits youth the private room. The financial report for thest quarter is


    also in your office!


    Noe nodded slightly. “Thank you”


    It dawned on ra that this upscale restaurant was owned by her sister, and it seemed likely that


    Palmer had gifted the restaurant to Noel


    might like”


    Noe turned to ra, smiling lightly. “ra, there are a few dishes here you n


    Choosing this venue was also meant to make re feel more at ease.


    Jacob awaited them in the private room, a middle–aged man in a dark blue shirt standing tall and


    serene, like bamboo swaying in the wind, his presencemanding attention.


    You’ve arrived. Please, have a seat”


    Palmer guided Noe to one side, leaving the seats across for ra and Jacob. ra furrowed her


    brow slightly but sat down without a word.


    “What did you want to discuss?”


    “I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to return to the Pock family? It’s not about changing your l But


    id like the chance to publicly acknowledge you.”


    nama


    you can remain a Schnabel,


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    He had pondered over his decision, realizing his selfishness had caused ra much distress.


    Initially unaware of her existence, he chose to avoid the responsibility upon learning about her


    “I’m not a great father, notpared to Tristan. But you shouldn’t refuse what’s rightfully yours. You


    don’t have to acknowledge me, but you shouldn’t have to suffer,”


    ra scoffed. “I’m doing just fine with the Schnabels. It’s you who’s pitiable.”


    She even patted Jacob on the shoulder. “Mr. Pock, life must be tough for you- losing a wife and


    having a child who doesn’t acknowledge you”


    or words.


    Jacob was at a loss for


    “Don’t look at me like that. You just feel sorry for me and want to publicly acknowledge me, right?


    There’s no need to make such a self–gratifying gesture. Being a daughter of the Schnabel family


    doesn’t humiliate me a bit. The few grievances in my life mostly came from you. If you think I don’t


    want to see you, then just stay away Huh, when you secretly did a paternity test and found out I was


    your child, why didn’t you stay away then? Now suddenly you care about your dignity?”


    She rolled her eyes, unable to hold back her sarcasm. “Mr. Pock, you should be grateful you


    didn’t know about me when I was younger. With your twisted personality, you could never have


    raised a confident beautiful, optimistic, and strong girl like me!”


    Jacob knew he was in the wrong, and ra’s words held weight and truth.


    Rubbing his forehead, he nced at Noe and Palmer sitting across from him.


    “Palmer, why don’t you and Noe go for a walk? I need to have a word with ra in private”


    After Noe nodded in agreement with ra, she stood up and left the booth with Palmer


    “They might chat for a while. Shall we go to the office?”


    “As long as I’m with you, anywhere works.”


    Noe looked down at her hand intertwined with Palmer’s.


    Somehow, neither the hug they shared before nor holding hands now seemed as bad as she


    thought


    Once Noe left, ra quickly took her ce across from Jacob


    “Let’s hear it then. What else do you want to say?”


    Jacob’s voice was hoarse. “ra, can you… give me another chance? I’ve never been a dad


    before. I don’t know how to bond with you. I messed up, but I can change! I’ve been doing a lot of


    thinking, and I’m really envious of Tristan. I’d love to have a normal father–daughter rtionship


    with you. Can you give me that chance?”


    ra sighed softly, a sarcastic smile ying on her lips.


    “Mr. Pock, you might be new to being a father, but you were a child once. When you were little,


    what did you expect from your parents? To avoid you or to im they cared while never showing


    up? You need to understand, it’s not that I haven’t given you a chance; it’s that you never chose me


    to begin with.”


    ra curled up, her slender back forming an arch as her shoulders trembled slightly. Her voice


    choked with emotion.


    “I had already epted that my parents didn’t love me that much. Why do you have to reopen my


    wounds and tell me an even more painful truth?”