CHapter 131

Chapter 131

Under the cloak of night, the man’s profile was etched with such intricate detail it could have been mistaken for a masterful painting. Emotions, impossible to ignore, flickered in his deep eyes, almost as if he wished to melt the girl before him.

Noella turned her face away slightly, her lips curling into a faint smile, though her voice held a cool detachment.

“I get it.”

Palmer ruffled her hair roughly, chuckling with a touch of annoyance.

After all he’d said, that was her response? Winning her over was clearly going to be a marathon, not a sprint!

Annie drove along, handling the steering wheel with the ease of someone shucking oysters.

Unbelievable, the boss was so different around Ms. Noella. Who would have thought that Palmer, known as the Frost Yama at the helm of Pollack Group, could be so bold around Miss Noella?

But then again, Ms. Noella deserved nothing less than the world’s finest!

At the Schnabel Manor, Marcel sat at the head of the table, his neck craned in anticipation. The sight of Noella and Palmer walking in hand in hand transformed his stern face into a landscape of joyous wrinkles.

“Grandpa, we’re back. Had to handle some things at the gallery this afternoon, then took some time to relax,” Noella said.

“What’s up with the gallery? Merrick, how could you give Noella a problematic gallery?” Marcel asked.

Merrick was confused. “When did I ever give Noella a problematic gallery? That gallery is the biggest in Imperial City! It was meant for Noella once she came of age, a gift from the year she was born!”

He might not have managed it much over the years, and that was because he lacked a business knack, but he’d hired a professional team to take care of it! And with Beckett always keeping an eye out, what could possibly go wrong?

Beckett, eyeing the clasped hands of Noella and Palmer, was anything but pleased. He had always suspected Palmer of trying to steal his sister’s heart, probably with ulterior motives! As for that engagement, what era were they living in? If his sister sent their secret sibling signal, he’d find a way to break it off!

Beckett pulled Noella aside and strode off with authority. “Noella, come sit with me. I’ve already sent over the materials the gallery needed and even got the company’s construction crew to

10:20

check in.”

Tristan, worried his daughter might be taken advantage of at the gallery, quickly interjected, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong with the gallery? Do you need Dad’s help?”

“It’s nothing major, just some unexpected issues. I’ll handle it,” Noella reassured him.

Sexton frowned at his grandson Palmer. “Is this how you’re looking after Noella? How come there is a problem with her gallery? Next time, go to work with her!”

Palmer looked helplessly at the irritable Sexton. He would love to go to work with his girl every day, but she probably wouldn’t like that.

“If Noella wouldn’t mind the company, I’d arrange to work with her starting tomorrow,” he offered.

Beckett scoffed, “Who wants to work with you? Mr. Pollack’s family business is vast, so it’s better to first manage one’s own affairs well.”

“Thanks for the concern, Beckett. Everything at Pollack Group is running smoothly. I heard you’re interested in that land deal with the city council?”

Beckett perked up, “What are you implying? You got a lead on that property?”

Palmer just sipped his coffee, a knowing smile on his lips.

Stirling jumped in, “Noella’s still young; she doesn’t need to work every day. She can go out and have fun with me instead. Mr. Pollack’s help isn’t needed.”

“Looking after Noella is my responsibility as her fiancé. I’ve heard you’re looking to invest in some entertainment companies. Perhaps Stellar Entertainment might interest you?”

Stirling’s eyes widened as he tried to remain composed. “Stellar? That’s a giant that rivals Hollywood! You have investment channels there?”

“Coincidentally, Stellar is part of the Pollack Group’s portfolio.”

Stirling was floored. He knew Pollack Group was big, but not this big. Holding Stellar Entertainment meant Palmer could make a fortune even if he just stayed at home..

Jasper chimed in, “Even if Mr. Pollack is a savvy investor, Noella is not yet your wife. Until she explicitly agrees to marry you, keep a respectful distance from our sister.”

“I understand,” Palmer said, unbuttoning his suit as he sat next to Noella, gazing at her with deep affection. “I’m in the process of courting Noella, and until she agrees to marry me, I will not overstep.”

This reassured the Schnabel family.

Noella looked at him, surprised, meeting his star–filled gaze.

He was willing to explain himself to her family, to put their minds at ease. This consideration was unexpected, a small gesture he took to heart.

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pter

check in.”

Tristan, worried his daughter might be taken advantage of at the gallery, quickly interjected, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong with the gallery? Do you need Dad’s help?”

“It’s nothing major, just some unexpected issues. I’ll handle it,” Noella reassured him.

Sexton frowned at his grandson Palmer. “Is this how you’re looking after Noella? How come there is a problem with her gallery? Next time, go to work with her!”

Palmer looked helplessly at the irritable Sexton. He would love to go to work with his girl every day, but she probably wouldn’t like that.

“If Noella wouldn’t mind the company, I’d arrange to work with her starting tomorrow,” he offered.

Beckett scoffed, “Who wants to work with you? Mr. Pollack’s family business is vast, so it’s better to first manage one’s own affairs well.”

“Thanks for the concern, Beckett. Everything at Pollack Group is running smoothly. I heard you’re interested in that land deal with the city council?”

Beckett perked up, “What are you implying? You got a lead on that property?”

Palmer just sipped his coffee, a knowing smile on his lips.

Stirling jumped in, “Noella’s still young; she doesn’t need to work every day. She can go out and have fun with me instead. Mr. Pollack’s help isn’t needed.”

“Looking after Noella is my responsibility as her fiancé. I’ve heard you’re looking to invest in some entertainment companies. Perhaps Stellar Entertainment might interest you?”

Stirling’s eyes widened as he tried to remain composed. “Stellar? That’s a giant that rivals Hollywood! You have investment channels there?”

“Coincidentally, Stellar is part of the Pollack Group’s portfolio.”

Stirling was floored. He knew Pollack Group was big, but not this big. Holding Stellar Entertainment meant Palmer could make a fortune even if he just stayed at home. :

Jasper chimed in, “Even if Mr. Pollack is a savvy investor, Noella is not yet your wife. Until she explicitly agrees to marry you, keep a respectful distance from our sister.”

“I understand,” Palmer said, unbuttoning his suit as he sat next to Noella, gazing at her with deep affection. “I’m in the process of courting Noella, and until she agrees to marry me, I will not overstep.”

This reassured the Schnabel family.

Noella looked at him, surprised, meeting his star–filled gaze.

He was willing to explain himself to her family, to put their minds at ease. This consideration was unexpected, a small gesture he took to heart.

10:20

Sipping her soup. Noella felt a warmth spreading, much like the soothing broth warming her

insides.

Tristan, wielding the ladle, tapped each of his sons on the head, his voice rising, “What are you boys talking about? Mr. Pollack and Noella are fond of each other. If you’re feeling sour about it, go find some daughters–in–law for me! And Ulrich, where is he for this family dinner?”

Ulrich stood at the entrance, dust–covered and sun–kissed, his arms laden with gifts. “Sorry I’m late. I brought presents for everyone.”

Sienna stood up to inspect Ulrich. “You look like you’ve been through the desert. Why are you all dusty and tanned?”

Ulrich exchanged a knowing glance with Beckett, the brothers sharing a silent communication.

“Mom, I was out on a research expedition. I didn’t want to miss dinner, and my car broke down, so I ran back. I’ll go change and join you shortly.”

Sienna, hearing it was for research, relaxed.

The family settled into a lively dinner, the atmosphere warming as they shared news and laughter, the bonds of family intertwining with subtle threads of romance weaving through the evening.

Noella’s nose twitched subtly as she caught a faint whiff of iron mixed with a medicinal scent in the air, a telltale sign that Ulrich had been injured but had seen to it with his own skilled hands. Being a genius doctor himself, he hardly needed her to worry about him on that front.

It wasn’t until Ulrich returned to the dinner table that the family started their meal.

Although Marcel didn’t say a word, there was an unspoken agreement among them to wait for Ulrich; they wouldn’t pick up a fork until everyone was present.

Beckett was just about to start peeling shrimp for Noella when he noticed Palmer had already taken over the task!

Watching Palmer care for Noella so naturally brought a barely concealed motherly beam to Sienna’s face.

Tristan too seemed to be reminiscing about his own youthful romance with Sienna, finding the sight in front of him utterly sweet.

“Noella, darling, I heard you took care of that pest at the gallery? That rascal had been skimming money for ages, and you caught her red–handed. Our girl is so incredibly competent! I bet our family’s fortunes are safe with you around!”

The whole family perked up, listening to Tristan’s embellished recount of how Noella handled the situation with Petra. His storytelling, rich with ups and downs and full of emotion, was a performance in its own right.

For the first time, Noella realized that if Tristan ever found himself out of work, he could

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Chapter 131

definitely pursue a career in stand–up comedy!

Merrick declared on the spot, “We’re all attending the exhibition tomorrow! I want to see if anyone dares to mess with our Noella!”

Marcel agreed wholeheartedly, “Finally, you’re making sense. Of course, we’re all going to support Noella! It’s a must!”

The family began to discuss the plan with excitement bubbling between them.

In the corner, the nanny quietly captured the scene on her phone and sent it to Yvonne.

[Ms. Yvonne, I’m afraid there’s hardly a place for you in this household now! You better up your game!]