With those words, Noe slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked out.


    That look of disdain and disappointment she shot Garrick pierced right through him!


    In this whole mess, Noe was clearly the victim. Yet, Garrick, having only heard one side of the


    story, tried to use his position of authority to force Noe into epting an apology. He didn''t care


    about digging into the truth at all.


    Garrick couldn''t tell if the sting he felt was more from being called out by a younger person or the


    regret of knowing the truth. Either way, his face turned as red as an autumn apple! He looked down


    at Oriana, who was still avoiding his gaze, and at Thad, who stood by expectantly.


    If he continued to defend Oriana now, he''d be pping his own face!


    Thad spoke with gravity. "Garrick, Noe is a rare gem, a student of exceptional talent! It''s been


    ages since I''ve seen someone with her abilities. Thest one I remember of her caliber is now


    programming for missiles."


    Such high praise from Thad spoke volumes of Noe''s extraordinary abilities!


    As the founding leader of Pris Star, Garrick knew Noe''s capabilities even better than Thad. But


    to him, Noe was the stronger party, Oriana the weaker. What was so wrong about asking Noe


    to step back a little?


    Thad, however, didn''t move to leave, continuing instead. "Garrick, if an ordinary student couldn''t


    clear their name in such a manner, would we simply ignore it? Truth and justice should be upheld


    above all!"


    Thad shook his head, casting a meaningful nce at Oriana. "Distorting facts and speaking


    falsehoods! Are such students really in line with Imperial University''s academic principles?"


    Garrick knew Thad was pressuring him. If he still sided with Oriana, trouble was bound to stir.


    Caught between a rock and a hard ce, thinking of Oriana''s parents who were old friends, Garrick


    stubbornly said, "I can handle this! Thad, please, just leave it!"


    Knowing Garrick''s stubbornness, Thad left the office and immediately called Merrick.


    "Hey, old man, your granddaughter''s being wronged! You gonna step in or what?"


    Merrick''s voice rose instantly. "Which granddaughter? Noe or ra?"


    "Who else could it be? I''m still at Imperial University, so obviously your granddaughter here."


    After Thad ryed the incident briefly, he added, "Your granddaughter, she''s something else! You


    must have some strong ancestors to be blessed with such a remarkable descendant!"


    Merrick basked in the praise. "Damn Garrick! Why should Noe have to yield to anyone? Merely


    uttering an apology doesn’t signify genuine remorse!"


    "So, are you going to do something about it?"


    "Of course! I''m heading to Imperial University right now. I want to see what Garrick is up to!"


    With that, Merrick rushed out the door, all fired up!


    ...


    At the school''s entrance, as Tristan''s car approached the gates, his secretary peered out and


    cheerily announced, "Mr. Schnabel, Ms. Noe got into Mr. Pock''s car."


    Not far ahead, Noe was spotted bending to enter a car parked by the curb, immediately


    recognized as Palmer''s by the secretary!


    Tristan chuckled. "Good, good. Palmer juggles a busy schedule, yet he still makes time to pick up


    Noe. Seems he''s quite taken with her!"


    "And not only that, Mr. Pock brought her favorite roses."


    Roses for just picking Noe up from college?


    Tristan''sughter grew louder. As he was still smiling, the secretary eximed, "Mr. Schnabel, why


    is Mr. Merrick here?"


    "Eh? Quick, let''s go greet him. Is he here for Noe too? Let''s not have him make a wasted trip!"


    Catching up to Merrick, Tristan joked, "Dad, Noe left with Palmer. What brings you here?"


    Merrick huffed. "And you''re stillughing? Your girl was bullied, and they expect her to just forgive


    and forget! How unfair is that!"


    As Merrick recounted the events, his concern for Noe was palpable.


    Noe, always so independent, bearing everything alone, hardly everining. If Thad hadn''t


    called to inform him, who knew how long this would''ve been kept secret?


    Hearing the full story wiped the smile off Tristan''s face.


    "The audacity! They think they can mess with my daughter because she''s easygoing? I''ll see to it


    that Noe gets justice!"


    "Dad, you''re getting on in years; leave this to me. Just sit back, and I''ll make sure our girl gets the


    resolution she deserves!"


    Fuming, Tristan and Merrick stormed into the university together.


    ...


    As Palmer''s car traversed the road, the scenery outside blurred past the windows.


    Noe, holding the bouquet of roses, noticed a small cut on Palmer''s finger.


    "Don''t tell me you picked these from your own garden."


    Palmer smiled gently. "Yes, it’s my first attempt at arranging flowers. It might not look perfect, but I''ll


    do better next time."


    Noe knew it; the somewhat lopsided bouquet was Palmer''s own handiwork.


    "It''s okay, I love them. But really, there''s no need to bring flowers just to picking me up."


    "I saw them blooming in the garden as I was leaving. Thought you''d like them. I saw Mr. Schnabel''s


    car earlier; shouldn''t we say hello?"


    Noe shook her head. "Dad texted me, saying he had some business to handle and told me to go


    on with you."


    Tristan, a renowned entrepreneur who had generously donated two buildings to Imperial University,


    was no stranger to visiting the campus for various matters.


    Palmer handed Noe a prepared insted mug. It contained warm milk, emitting a rich creamy


    aroma, clearly a thoughtful gesture from Palmer before he left the house. He probably worried


    Noe might get hungry after her sses, so he had packed a variety of snacks in the car.


    Feeling Palmer''s careful attention, Noe felt a surge of warmth in her heart.


    Sipping the milk slowly, Noe''s phone began to ring.


    Helen''s voice came through the speaker. "Noe, darling, did I hear right that that old buzzard


    Garrick gave you trouble? Your grandfather and father are both on it, but I''ll have to see about it


    myself. At my age, squaring off with Garrick wouldn’t be the worst way to go!"


    Only then did Noe realize that Merrick and Tristan had gone to stand up for her!


    Feeling the love from her family, Noe''s heart gradually calmed down, filled with warmth.


    "Grandma, thank you. But your health is way more important than dealing with Garrick."


    "That won''t do! I''m heading over to the school to sort this out! Sexton, grab my shovel!"


    Sexton muttered, "What do you need that for? nning to dig graves? That''s not exactly the trend


    these days!"


    Helen was furious.


    "To give Garrick a ce to lie in advance! I''m going to scatter his ashes! That old coot isn''t acting


    human! Picking on kids at his age, he''s really gone back in time!"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.