“No worries,” Noe mused, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at Helen who was seated


    across from her. She knew the olddy meant no harm from start to finish. It was just her


    personality; every time she spoke, she somehow chose the most exasperating way to express


    herself.


    People who took up the grave-digging trade in their youth were naturally sharp-tongued, after all.


    Helen had been ming herself for the tragedies that befell Palmer’s mom and Lavinia Richardson,


    thinking she brought bad luck to her loved ones.


    Sexton sipped his beer. “Why don’t you ever talk about these things?”


    “What’s the point? To make you realize halfway through our marriage that I’m prone to wallowing in


    self-pity?” Helen rolled her eyes. “I’ve informed Lucian about that chatan. He’ll handle it."


    Since it was the Richardson family who got duped by that fraud, it only made sense for them to deal


    with it!


    Horatio, also seated at the table, looked up. “Do you need my help?”


    Sienna had gone out of her way to prepare a vegetarian feast for Horatio and invited him to the


    Schnabel family dinner.


    Figuring it was Sienna’s invitation and likely with Noe’s approval, and considering the Schnabel


    family''s food was indeed delicious, Horatio didn’t think twice before epting!


    ra was quick to shake her head. “No need, Master. This is all worldly trouble; best you don’t get


    involved.”


    Horatio stroked his bald head. “To someone like me, all worldly matters are just that, worldly. And all


    can be a path to enlightenment.”


    Noe gave him a sidelong nce, “Speak English.”


    “I heard Lucian Richardson has an impressive collection of antiques. I’d love to see them.”


    Antiques were Horatio’s true passion! The biggest antique collector in Imperial City was none other


    than Lucian.


    Seeing Horatio’s genuine interest disguised as an offer to help, ra didn’t refuse this time.


    “Alright, then. Come with me, Master!”


    “Thank you, ra.”


    Sienna cheerfully handed Malvina a box. “Here, a little wee gift from me!”


    Malvina hadn’t expected to receive a gift just foring over for dinner!


    “This is unnecessary. I’m not here for the first time... How can I just take this?”


    Sienna nced at Ulrich. “It’s different this time. Before, you were Noe and ra’s friend. Now,


    you’re here as Ulrich’s girlfriend. I’ve been nning what to give to each future daughter-inw for


    ten years. This is yours to keep!”


    Malvina blushed and blurted out before she could think.


    “Alright, I’ll ept it, and if I ever break up with Dr. Schnabel, I’ll return it. Then it can be passed on


    to the next person.”


    A peculiar silence fell over the dining table!


    ra ced a hand on her forehead. “Malvina, leaving aside the fact that once my mom gives you


    something, it’s yours with no returns, how can you talk about breaking up so casually? Aren’t you


    worried about upsetting Ulrich?”


    In a family like the Schnabels, a wee gift for a future daughter-inw was never something to


    be taken back.


    Malvina was taken aback. “Dr. Schnabel won’t be upset!”


    She nced at Ulrich beside her, who still wore a gentle smile, feeling somewhat guilty.


    Ulrich ced a peeled shrimp in Malvina’s bowl, wiping his hands before calmly saying, “I’m not


    upset, but I don’t n on breaking up with you.”


    “I didn’t mean now. I meant in case you stop liking meter. Who can predict these things?”


    Tristan jumped into the conversation. “Hey, look at Sienna and me, your Grandpa Merrick and


    Grandma Freya, we’ve been in love all our lives. Look at your Grandpa Marcel, Grandpa Sexton,


    they’ve been together this long and never talked about breaking up!”


    Jasper interjected, “Grandpa got divorced.”


    “Well, they still spent a lifetime together. Worst case, divorce is something for the very old days.


    Who knows, by then, you or Ulrich might not even be around. It’s possible, right?”


    Marcel eximed angrily, “Tristan! What nonsense are you spouting?”


    Only Tristan, with his blunt and bold nature, would dare to make such remarks!


    Tristan quickly added, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just that Malvina, this kid,cks confidence in


    love and marriage. It’s not a big deal! Live in the moment. Think of yourself as a carefree lover,


    enjoy dating the younger Schnabel brother! If you find him suitable, marry him; if not, return him! I


    will find you someone else!” Tristan nced at his sons. “I’m not boasting, but I’ve got plenty of


    sons!”


    Malvina was utterly amused by Tristan. She buried her face in Ulrich’s shoulder,ughing


    uncontrobly, tears nearly spilling from her eyes!


    Seeing herugh, Tristan gave Ulrich a knowing look, silently bragging, “Still, your old man’s got the


    charm, huh? You''ve got a lot to learn about cheering up ady!”


    Opening the box from Sienna, she found a jade bracelet and money.


    Sienna beamed, “It’s a small gift, $10001, symbolizing you’re one in ten thousand.”


    As she spoke, she also handed Palmer a simr one.


    “Palmer gets one too. Whether it’s our future daughter-inw or son-inw, everyone’s treated the


    same!”


    Palmer stood up to ept it graciously, “Thank you, Mrs. Schnabel. I’m truly grateful!”


    The amount might not be significant, but to Palmer, it represented the Schnabel family’s


    eptance.


    And Noe’s too!


    Marcel then spoke up, steering the conversation back to lighter topics.


    "Malvina, let bygones be bygones, don''t dwell on the past! Ulrich is a good kid, but if he ever bullies


    you, juste to me, Grandpa will sort him out!"


    Sexton whispered, "And don''t forget about me,e over for a game of chess with Grandpa


    Sexton. If Ulrich gives you any trouble, I''ll straighten him out!"


    "Got it! I''ll remember that!"


    Jasper started stirring the pot. "Beckett, Ulrich has got a girlfriend, when are you gonna bring a girl


    home, eh?"


    Beckett shot him a re. "Just eat your food, will you?"


    No sooner had he said this than Sienna chimed in, "You''re going on a blind date tomorrow, I''ve set it


    all up for you! Don''t end up thest bachelor while Noe and Palmer are starting a family!"


    Noe looked helplessly at Sienna. She and Palmer had just started dating; having kids was still a


    long way off.


    Beckett, exasperated, nomittally agreed just to end the conversation.


    ...


    After dinner, Noe, needing to tend to some business regarding Pris Star, took Palmer to her


    study.


    Just as they rounded a corner, Palmer suddenly pulled Noe by the wrist, tugging her behind the


    wall, and ced his finger to his lips, signaling silence.


    "There''s someone there, shh—"


    He was so close, Noe could feel Palmer''s breath on her face.


    Around the corner, by the room''s doorway, Ulrich was crouched down, eyeing Malvina.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Repeat what you just said. Thinking of breaking up with me? Ha, you''ve got some nerve!"