Harriet''s face was the epitome of kindness and warmth. She wore her favorite dress, a rich, deep
red gown that Noe had painstakingly dyed and sewn for her. It marked Harriet''s first foray into
wearing such elegant attire, a cherished garment until her illness made it impossible for her to wear
it any longer. Eventually, it was relegated to a memory in the attic.
In Noe''s memories, Harriet adored that dress above all else.
In the video, Harriet appeared frail, pausing to catch her breath after a few words, making the
recording disjointed.
"Noe, by the time you see this, you''ll already know about Pris Star."
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"It was I who pleaded with Pris Star to take you in. It was also I who got them to send you there."
Tears filled Harriet''s eyes as she spoke.
"I know my Noe has suffered a lot. But that was because I hoped it would allow you to survive!
Pris Star was something Garrick and I started, initially just a regr talent selection program. It
later morphed into something unrecognizable to me.
Due to ess rights, I wasn''t brainwashed after leaving Pris Star. But when they came for me
after Tristan was born, I chose to have my memory wiped for the safety of Tristan and your
grandfather. Behind Pris Star, there are forces strong enough to back the project. Even your
grandfather didn’t know who signed the initial documents. But as long as Pris Star exists, it
carries its own might.
I never imagined you would be sent to me. Later, I found out they were searching for me, and they
discovered you! That''s when I remembered some things."
Harriet managed a wan smile.
"I knew they wanted me back at Pris Star. I used myst bit of influence to plead for your well-
being. Being with those old folks, you could learn a lot, more than if you stayed with me. Upon
assessing my own health, I realized I couldn''t protect you any longer. I feared what those people
could do if they found you, and Pris Star could offer you protection!"
Noe was acutely aware of the aftereffects of Pris Star''s brainwashing. She recalled the
symptoms, mental states, and fragmented memories of Harriet''sst years, all indicative of
brainwashing aftermath.
"I wanted to protect my Noe forever, but I never got the chance. I hope you won''t me me for
being so harsh, for sending you to such a painful ce."
"Noe, I just wanted you to live well! Not to live a life as pitiful as mine."
"Garrick is not a good man. Don''t trust him. If you get a chance, go to Lockhart Prison to find Xavier;
he will protect you."
"If you want to know more about Pris Star, ask your grandfather."
"Noe, I love you. Soon, I''ll be nothing but a star in the sky, forever protecting my little girl."
"Don''t be sad for me. I''m relieved that I won''t be a burden to you anymore. Now, my Noe can
soar."
...
The video was long, Harriet speaking whatever came to her mind.
After watching patiently, Noe touched her cheeks, only to realize they were wet with tears.
Little did she know, it was her grandmother who sent her to Pris Star, yet she didn’t hate her.
Under those circumstances, Harriet only wanted to ensure she could live on. It was also torture for
her to wait anxiously every time Noe returned from the border.
Noe remembered Harriet wiping away her tears at her bedside. Back then, Harriet must have
known what she was doing, right?
With her hands covering her face, Noe''s slender shoulders shook. She missed her grandmother
dearly.
A hand rested on Noe''s shoulder, turning off the looping video.
Palmer had appeared beside her at some point, his gaze tender as he knelt beside her, wiping
away her tears.
"Don''t be sad. It''s all in the past. Grandma had her reasons."
Noe nodded, her eyes red and swollen, evoking Palmer''s sympathy.
"I just miss Grandma so much. Some of these things... she could have told me before."
"Maybe Grandma felt she just couldn’t bring herself to face you and tell you these things."
"Yeah. Why are you here sote?"
Palmer''s sudden appearance through the window was something Noe had grown ustomed to,
his unexpected visits no longer surprising her.
Noe''s hair cascaded down her back, her reddened eyes adding a fragility to her appearance, like
fine porcin in need of careful protection.
Palmer was moved, his fingertips gently tracing the corners of Noe''s eyes.
"My mom''s memorial ising up. Horatio has made all the arrangements. Grandpa asked me to
see if you''d attend."
As Palmer''s fiancée, it was only fitting for Noe to be part of such an asion.
"ra will be there. Grandpa hopes you cane too."
ra, being part of the Pock family, had Marcel''s approval to attend the memorial service for
Palmer''s mother.
"Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to go?"
"Of course not. My mom would have been happy to see you there. My brothers are also on their
way back. I really hope you can make it."
After considering for a moment, Noe agreed. "Okay, I''ll be there."
Suddenly, the balcony window was knocked on, and a head peeked in under the moonlight.
Horatio, upon seeing the intimate atmosphere between Noe and Palmer, wondered if he had
chosen the wrong time to interrupt.
"Um, Noe, is this a bad time?"
"Indeed, it is."
"Should I leave then?"
Noe sighed. "Come back. What do you want this time?"
Horatio chuckled mischievously. "Didn''t I borrow a paintingst night? Finished admiring it, time to
return it today!"
Knowing Horatio all too well, Noe suspected there was more to it than just returning a borrowed
item.
"What have you set your eyes on this time?"
Horatio grinned. "Ah, you’ve misunderstood me. It''s all about appreciating the art! It’s a guy called
Larson Pock. The man''s got a collection of vintage paintings, and word has it he''s nning to
offload them all. Such desecration of art!"
Noe raised an eyebrow.
Larson''s business had hit a rough patch recently, leaving a gaping financial void that needed filling
urgently.
"So, he''s thinking of auctioning them off?"
"Exactly! Which is why we need to hurry and take a look before it''s toote. I swear those
masterpieces were practically begging me to take them home!"
Noe was all too familiar with Horatio''s antics. His tone implied a clear reluctance to spend any
money on acquiring these items.
She nced at Palmer, her eyebrow arching slightly. "Are you plotting to bankrupt Larson?"
Palmer smiled, his eyes mirroring Noe''s expression. "Yes. Are you going to help me?"
"Of course, that’s what friends are for."