"Feisty, aren''t you?"
Despite his harsh words, Palmer''s face was lit up with an affectionate grin. He reveled in Noe''s possessiveness over him!
Noe arched an eyebrow. "Impressive. So, Mr. Pock, you better stay on your best behavior, or you''ll give me a reason to get feisty.”
"Of course. But I wouldn''t mind if Noe got a bit feisty with me in other situations.”
Noe was dumbfounded. Why did she always feel like he was hinting at something more? His words always seemed to carry an undertone of
flirtation!
"Let''s go visit Grandpa Sexton in the hospital.”
"Alright."
Annie watched her boss and his futuredy walking away, shaking her head in wonder. "Myra just became the unwitting third wheel in their love fest!"
In Grandpa Sexton''s hospital room
Megan was by the bedside, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, I''m so sorry I came back sote. We shouldn''t have fought on your birthday!"
Sexton, weak and wearing an oxygen mask, gave a frail smile and tried to reach out. Megan quickly grabbed his hand, pressing her face against it.
"It''s alright. Being able to argue with your dad at this age is a blessing. Where are Hudson Vaughn and the kids?"
"Hudson''s with the kids at a tournament in Amsterdam. They''ve booked the earliest flight back, don''t worry.”
Megan''s children were among the few great-grandchildren in the Pock family.
When the door opened, Palmer and Noe walked in hand in hand. Noe, familiar with the procedures, checked Sexton''s vitals with practiced ease.
Sexton''s spirits visibly lifted at her presence. "Noe, dear, any chance we can get rid of some of these tubes?"
He was always disheartened to wake up surrounded by medical tubing.
"I''l see what I can do."
Watching Sexton''s eager face, Noe couldn''t help but feel a mix of amusement and sadness. To him, she had be like a granddaughter,
showered with affection and always kept in mind.
Suppressing her emotions, Noe gently said, "Grandpa Sexton, let me help you sit up for a massage.”
"Alright."
Megan quickly called out to Palmer, "Palmer, give her a hand. Ms. Schnabel can''t possibly lift your grandpa by herself!”
Part of her concern was for Noe''s strength, and part was the fear of unintentional harm to Sexton. Before she knew it, Noe had effortlessly
helped Sexton sit up, navigating around the medical tubing to make himfortable.
Seeing Sexton rxed and enjoying Noe''s touch, Megan felt relieved and her eyes welled up with tears again. Megan had only heard about Noe
from Helen, Palmer''s grandmother, and was surprised to see her medical skills.
As Noe tenderly massaged him and engaged in light conversation, it was clear she genuinely cared for Sexton as a family member. Regret filled
Megan for not spending more time with her parents over the years.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.
"Palmer, I heard from your grandma that you''re nning to get engaged sooner? Isn''t that a bit rushed? If you need any help, just ask!"
Palmer was just as surprised to hear this news. It seemed the decision to move the engagement forward was made by the Schnabel family, aiming to
bring peace to Sexton in his final days.
"Itis a bit sudden.”
Noe, however, remained calm, ncing at Palmer. "If you''re not willing?"
"It would be my honor, I just don''t want to rush you.”
How could he not be willing!
Sexton chimed in, "Dear, this is your life we''re talking about. Don''tpromise just for me. That would make me sad."
Noe calmly responded, "Grandpa Sexton, I''m notpromising. My life''s milestones wouldn''t beplete without you.”
Sexton had always supported Noe and Palmer''s rtionship, ying a key role in bringing them together. Noe smiled, her warmth undeniable.
"Grandpa Sexton, I''m not one to settle. Whether it''s today or tomorrow, with or without a big celebration, it doesn''t matter as long as it''s with Palmer.
But having you there means everything to us."
"Alright, alright] promise!” Sexton''s
voice brokewith emotion, tears
gathering:in his eyes. His grandsop ~
Palmer, after years of neglect, had
finally found a partner to sharehis
life with, easing one of Sextan’ Ss
biggest warries.
=
After the massage, Noe helped
Sexton settleback into bed. He
quickly fell into a deep sleep, a rare
urrence given his usual restless
nights~Megan was astonished at
how wel he slept after Noe''s care,
understanding why Sexton-insisted
off waiting for her.
to
As they left the room, Megan took Noe’s hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, dear. You''re doing so much.”
"It''s nothing."
As they approached the doorway,
yra caught sight of Megan holding
oe''s hand" with affection.
Frustratedhshe realized her aunt had
also beer charmed by Noe''s ~.>
seemingly kind facade. She hat’
beeitoo focused on impressing
Helen and had underestimated how
quickly Noe would windver her
aunt.
Myra was visibly irked! But just as she was about to retort, a simple nce from Helen shut her right up. Her knees actually started shaking! It was as
if Helen had magically deciphered exactly what was going through her mind!
Confusion swirled within Myra. Even she couldn''t coax a smile from Megan these days. If Noe was really as Oriana described, how could Megan
have been so easily fooled?
Best to meet with Oriana and get the full story first!
At the majestic Dragon Tower, within the grandeur of the Pock Mansion, Horatio fished out a couple of coins, rubbing his bald head thoughtfully.
"Sister, your and your husband''s zodiac signs seem to sh. Maybe it''s best you skip the funeral.”
Helen, unflustered, scrambled the coins’ arrangement. "Take a good look now. Still see any conflict?”
Horatio: ".."
But the signs were clearly at odds just a moment ago!
"How can you just change the reading on a whim?"
"Monks stepping on priests’ toes, dogs chasing mice—why can''t the signs change?”
Horatio felt like he was being insulted!
"I called you here because I need a favor!”
Horatio: "No money, broke, not lending, not a penny to my name.”
"Oh,e off it!"
"I was thinking... Let''s have Laviniae to Noe and Palmer''s engagement party!"