\"Isn''t Master just a shareholder in Azure?\"


    Millie took a big bite of her burger.


    Spending the afternoon trying to act like the perfect daughter alongside her mom and Sienna had nearly frozen her face into a permanent smile!


    \"I remember on myst birthday, Master gifted me a dress from Azure. It was personally delivered by Kitai, who said it was Master''s request.\"


    Getting a custom piece from Azure delivered personally by Kitai was a big deal


    Millie couldn''t help but get excited thinking about that moment!


    Jasper was shocked


    \"What? Noe owns shares in Azure?!\"


    Noe nodded calmly, \"Yes, that''s right.\"


    There weren''t many shareholders in Azure. A quick look into the ownership structure would reveal that Noe owned eighty percent, with the rest held


    by folks from Pris Star.


    Beckett was the first to catch on.


    \"Last time Azure was negotiating a contract with ourpany, they said they''d cut thepany in for a thirty percent share of the profits. That was


    your doing?\"


    \"Yes, it was me. After all, we shop at Azure for our clothes, so it doesn''t hurt to give some profits back to thepany.\"


    As it turned out, the profits Azure made this year went to either the Schnabels or the Pocks...


    Every time Noe thought about how the family’s money ended up in her own pocket, she felt a bit embarrassed


    Azure''s revenue was unmatched in the luxury floor of the mall, and yet they were willing to share profits, something Beckett found odd at the time!


    But it all made sense now that it was his sister''s arrangement!


    "I see.\"


    A look of realization and affectionate amusement spread across Beckett''s face as he casually picked up his phone to call his secretary.


    \"Handle this first thing tomorrow morning. Going forward, waive the store fees for Azure, and we won''t take any dividends either.\"


    "Understood, Mr. Schnabell\”


    Beckett looked at Noe, who was about to protest, and said gently, \"It doesn''t make sense to profit from my own sister. Now that I know it''s your


    business, I''m relieved!\"


    The performance of Azure''s business was well-known.


    At the very least, it proved that his sister hadn''t had it too tough in the past!


    Jasper was still somewhat in disbelief.


    \"Why didn’t you tell us sooner that you owned Azure? I even gifted you Azure clothes before, how embarrassing!"


    Being a shareholder, Noe must have been familiar with every piece in the store!


    Jasper covered his face in agony.


    Noe reassured him: \"Don''t worry, Jasper, I really like them.\"


    That was true; the simplest reason behind her designs was her own preference.


    Sienna patted Noe''s cheek with sympathy.


    \"You''re amazing, darling! It must have been tough, right? How did you and Millie meet?\"


    Millie was several years older than Noe, yet she spoke of Noe with such respect!


    Sienna was curious.


    Millie rested her chin on her hands and smiled, \"It was back when Master''s grandma opened a diner. I was broke at the time and could only afford


    the cheapest muffin avable.\"


    The Gagher family was notoriously tough on their kids!


    Even in their teens, the Gaghers wouldn''t give them much money, letting them fend for themselves.


    Vincent refused to provide Noe with support money and always skimped on her living expenses, while Harriet wanted Noe to eat well.


    So, Harriet decided to open a small diner.


    Millie would pass by every day with her backpack, always buying the cheapest muffin, which was all she had for the day!


    \"Then one day, I found my muffin had meat inside. I thought Grandma Harriet made a mistake and was secretly thrilled!\"


    That was also the day Millie found herself cornered in a dark alley by a group.


    At the time, Ms. Noe from the Gagher family had many followers.


    The sewage water poured over Millie''s head as the groupughed mockingly.


    \"Ha! Thinking you canpete with Millie for the inheritance? Look at yourself!\"


    Ms. Noe from the Gagher family sneered, holding Millie''s chin, \"Do you think the Gagher family would choose someone who''s been covered in


    filth as their heir?\"


    Millie felt her heart sink!


    Then, a cold voice echoed from the bathroom entrance.


    \"What are you doing? Bullying? \"


    This school was the best in the area, but no one dared to cross the Gaghers, and even the teachers turned a blind eye.


    \"Mind your own business!\"


    Noe''s gaze fell on the drenched Millie, calmly saying, \"Do you think I''m meddling too much?\"


    \"...It was you? You better leave, they''re not good people, they''ll hurt you!\"


    Young Noe shook her head gently, \"I only ask, do you need help?\"


    Millie''s eyes lit up for a second before dimming again.


    "You can''t handle them...\"


    \"Do you need help?\"


    Millie met Noe''s calm and determined gaze, nodding almost involuntarily!All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    In that moment, she actually felt that the frail girl could be trusted, that she could save her!


    And that decision truly saved Millie.


    The jeers of the Gagher group turned into screams!


    Noe stood firm, her actions speaking louder than words, changing the dynamics in an instant.


    \"Do you need more help? She seemed keen on dunking you into the toilet just now.\"


    \"No, that''s enough! Were you... looking for me?\"


    Noe nodded.


    \"Yes, my grandma asked me to find you so you coulde home with us for dinner.\"


    Home? Dinner?


    Such a rare concept.


    \''Let''s go. My grandma knew you ~~


    couldn''t afford meals and that a


    muffinwwasn''t enough. She wont


    charge you; just help clean the diner


    int feturn.\"


    That''s when Millie realized, the muffin with meat inside wasn''t a coincidence!


    Grandma Harriet had known all along that she couldn''t afford a meal. She''d done it on purpose!


    Millie burst into tears in an instant.


    Wrapping herself in Noe’s jacket


    as she stepped out of the restroom,


    Milliethrew a nce back at Noe,


    herface aze with angerand fury.


    Catching up with Noe''s strides, Millie asked, \"Can you teach me?\"


    \"What do you want to learn?\"


    \"The way you fought them off just now! I want to learn! I want to be able to protect myself!\"


    Noe stopped in her tracks, asking nonchntly, \"Just for self-defense?\"


    Millie, taken aback for a moment. then clenched her fists tighter.


    \"I want to prove that I am the strongest!\"


    Noe let out a light chuckle and walked away.


    \"If you''re up for the challenge, follow me and learn.\"


    Reflecting on those times. Millie felt a wave of emotion


    \"If it hadn''t been for Grandma Harriet and my mentor, I might have starved to death. I wouldn''t be where I am today.\"


    \It was mymentor who taught me


    that I was-born to be a mountain, not


    a strear?: I am meant to stand.on


    the shoulders of giants and look


    dows on the mediocrity of


    cowards!\"


    “


    Sienna was moved by her words.


    Jasper looked at Millie with a new respect.


    \"It hasn''t been easy for you, but meeting Noe was a stroke of luck.\"


    Millie raised an eyebrow and teased, \"Aw, are you starting to feel sorry for me? How about marrying me then?\"


    \"Nutcasel\"


    \"Is that all the vocabry you have, Jasper? What a disgrace to the profession.\”


    Watching the two of them bicker, Sienna couldn''t help but remark that they were truly a pair of rivals.


    \"Just make yourself at home and stay at ease, as if it''s your own ce!\" Sienna said.


    Jasper and Millie chorused in unison, \"That won''t do!\"