“What did you just say? With whom?”


    Sienna couldn’t keep her cool when Beckett dropped that bombshell! She sprang from the couch,


    pacing the living room, her voiceced with worry.


    “Beckett, are you… thinking of reigniting an old me?”


    Beckett responded calmly, “It''s just a meal, don''t overthink it. But as for an arranged date, let''s


    forget about it; I''m not interested in that for now. You’d better push forward Noe and Mr. Pock''s


    engagement instead. They’re quite fond of each othertely, and the Pocks have been hinting at


    moving the wedding date up.”


    Beckett truly knew how to steer Sienna’s attention. At the mention of Noe’s wedding ns,


    Sienna’s worries shifted immediately.


    “Oh dear, you’re right. I’ll talk to Grandpa next door about it!”


    “When you and my dad were away, Grandpa asked me about Noe’s intentions. It’s best if you


    handle it.”


    “Alright, alright, I will.”


    Sienna reveled in her maternal instincts. To her, discussing her daughter’s marriage was a privilege


    reserved for mothers!


    After hanging up, Beckett looked towards Darcy with a clear gaze.


    “Sorry about that, let’s continue our meal.”


    “Aren’t you supposed to get married next May?”


    “Yes, but there’s no bride yet.”


    No bride, what kind of wedding is that? Surely Beckett isn’t nning to attend his own wedding


    solo!


    “It’s okay. After all, I’m no stranger to weddings falling apart.”


    Darcy couldn’t help but sense the sarcasm in Beckett’s tone. And his earlier conversation with


    Sienna…


    Was he implying something about her jilting him years ago?


    “What happened back then was my fault, I’m sorry, I owe you an apology.”


    Beckett’s smile was gentle and refined, a testament to his grace that had only deepened with time,


    making him feel asforting as a warm spring breeze.


    “It’s alright. Without being let down once, I might have continued to believe in a love that was merely


    an illusion. I’ve heard about the school situation. I’ll ask Noe what she wants to do.”


    Imperial University had decided to expel Oriana.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    The department hoped Noe could find time to return to ss and maybe even participate in the


    uingpetition.


    Darcy lowered her gaze, “The Schnabel family seems to really care for their children.”


    The entire Schnabel family appeared to dote on Noe! From the birthday posters stered all over


    town to their overt favoritism, it was clear they were making an effort to wee and make up for


    the years missed with their youngest daughter.


    Darcy had also heard from Dalia about the Schnabel family’s affection for Noe.


    This love was indeed something to be proud of!


    ...


    Upon entering the restaurant, Noe’s gaze immediately found Beckett and Darcy by the window.


    The restaurant manager came forward to greet them.


    “Ms. Noe, here’s the menu you reserved. Please, take a look.”


    Noe casually handed the menu to Marisol behind her. With thepany undergoing such turmoil,


    she decided to take Marisol out for a lunch and tea session nearby as a way to reassure her staff.


    “Take a look, and if there’s any issue, let me know.”


    “Of course, Ms. Noe.”


    Marisol was nearly in tears! Ms. Noe was just too kind!


    Hearing from the police about the altercation involving Cosmo and Honora, Noe must have been


    frightened.


    Ms. Noe, with his gentle and kind demeanor, facing such adversity yet still thinking offorting


    his staff! Truly the granddaughter of Merrick and Freya!


    After giving a few instructions, Noe headed towards Beckett and Darcy.


    “Beckett, the blind date Mom set up… was it with Ms. Darcy?”


    Beckett’s gaze softened visibly the moment he saw Noe.


    “Of course not. I was discussing your school situation with Ms. Darcy. They’ve agreed to expel


    Oriana and are proceeding with the public notice. Also, Noe, are you interested in that


    competition?”


    After a moment of consideration, Noe shook her head.


    “What’s the difference between thepetition’s oue and directly submitting my designs to


    Falen Gemstones?”


    Beckett nodded in agreement. From this perspective, thepetition held no real value for Noe.


    Beckett’s assistant called, reminding him of an overseas business meeting, with the car ready to go.


    “I have to leave now. If there’s anything at home, just give me a call. Be good.”


    Beckett nodded to Darcy, affectionately ruffled Noe’s hair, and left after buttoning up his suit.


    Noe also nodded towards Darcy, ready to leave, but Darcy stopped her.


    “Noe… could we talk?”


    “Sure.”


    Sitting opposite Darcy, Noe watched Beckett’s slender figure disappear into the car, then realized


    Darcy had been watching him too.


    “Ms. Darcy? You were watching Beckett?”


    “Yes, Mr. Schnabel is a very good person.”


    “If he’s such a good person, why didn’t Ms. Darcy want Beckett?”


    Faced with Noe’s blunt inquiry, Darcy was caught off-guard!


    Seeing Darcy’s flustered reaction, Noe realized her guess wasn’t unfounded.


    Beckett''s demeanor towards Darcy had always seemed peculiar to Noe.


    Although Beckett was known for his smooth dealings in the business world, his approach towards


    Ms. Darcy seemed unusually tender.


    Especially that bouquet Darcy had carelessly tossed into the trash.


    Darcy was, after all, Beckett''s ex-girlfriend!


    That was the same ex Jasper had mentioned before, the one who had left Beckett high and dry


    right before their wedding!


    Darcy felt cornered. She hadn''t expected Noe to have picked up on it so quickly!


    Noe''s gazended on Darcy''s phone screen, capturing a familiar silhouette.


    That photo, it was one she had taken for Beckett.


    Following Noe''s gaze, Darcy suddenly remembered she had impulsively changed her phone''s


    wallpaper to that silhouette of Beckett the night before!


    No wonder Beckett had nced over at her phone several times, a smile lurking in his eyes.


    This was mortifying!


    Back in college, Beckett was a star on the shooting team, blessed with eagle eyes. He must have


    seen it!


    “So, keeping Beckett’s photo... Does that mean you still have feelings for him, Ms. Darcy?”


    “No, it’s just a reminder to myself not to dwell on that foolish past.”


    Darcy looked towards Noe, her smile gentle and restrained, with a touch of tenderness in her


    eyes.


    “Back then, my leaving without a word wasn''t just because of the young Miss from the Schnabel


    family.” Darcy''s smile turned bittersweet. “Because I... I was pregnant at that time!”