CHapter 17

Chapter 17

The van jostled along, heading out of the city.

Noella noticed they were headed towards Imperial West Hospital, and thought, “Well, ain’t that a stroke of luck! These goons are giving me a free ride.”

“Who sent you?” she demanded.

The kidnapper let out a sleazy chuckle, his face full of creep.

“Listen, girlie, we ain’t lookin‘ to harm ya, but you had to go and get greedy, eyeing stuff that ain’t yours.” he taunted.

“We’ll just dump ya in some mountain area, and don’t you worry, you won’t be seeing the light of day again! Lucky for you, you’re easy on the eyes. That pretty face of yours could bring in a good chunk of change up in the hills. Pop out a few chunky kids, and you’re golden.”

Noella swiftly reached for the small knife tucked at her waist and conked out a few of the kidnappers, then pressed the blade against the driver’s neck.

“Who sent you? My patience is wearing thin.”

The driver, shaking like a leaf and gripping the steering wheel, stammered out, “Oh please, have mercy! We’re just hired guns! It was Belinda! She forked over a cool hundred grand for us to whisk you away and sell you off in some mountain dump!”

Belinda hadn’t said that Noella could fight!

With a nonchalant “Drive to Imperial West Hospital,” Noella might as well have been the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe. The driver nearly lit the steering wheel on fire getting her there.

As soon as Noella got out, she shouted at the guards at the door, “They kidnapped me!”

The guards had seen her coming and going from Imperial West Hospital and knew her as the pretty granddaughter of the Schnabel family who was also a chess whiz.

The hospital guards were special forces soldiers pulled from the ranks for duty. They were used to standing guard.

Hearing Noella’s cry for help, the special forces guys stepped up and quickly subdued the bad

guys.

“Thanks,” said Noella.

“Don’t mention it, Miss. Get inside. Mr. Marcel has been fussing over you for ages. We’ve got this!”

They all thought highly of Noella, a real looker who was polite and smart to boot–a true Schnabel family gem.

No sooner had Noella stepped into the ward than she heard Marcel’s robust voice, “Where’s my

13:13

precious granddaughter? Didn’t they say she was on her way?”

“Grandpa, did you take your medicine today?”

Atarcel’s eyes lit up at the sight of Noella.

“Come here, darling. Tavian from building three is waiting to play chess with you.”

Hearing that Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject of his medicine. She gave the nurses

a knowing look and handed over the daily meds to Marcel and said, “Take your medicine.

Grandpa. Be good.”

Marcel reluctantly downed the bitter pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are you only getting here now?”

“I went shopping this morning and had lunch with Beckett.

Not wanting to worry Marcel she kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s antics on her own.

“Why bother eating with that bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll send you some jewelry to play with,” beamed Marcel

Thanks, Grandpa.”

Marcel all excited, led her to another ward. “Come on, let’s go play some chess!”

Back in the day. Tavian used to make Marcel lose at chess all the time. This time he was determined to turn the tables!

After several games, Marcel’s face was beaming with smiles, Heh, his granddaughter was a champ, winning every game!

Tavian, once the second–in–command of Harmonia Country, looked on with admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter was a real catch. He’d struck gold!

With a chuckle, Tavian offered, “Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll fix it for you!”

Marcel was not having it. “Who needs your big talk? I’m still kicking!”

“It doesn’t matter if you kick the bucket or not. My word carries more weight.” said Tavian.

“Eh you old fossil! Noella, go play. I’ve got to settle a score with this geezer!”

Noella just nodded and bowed to Tavian before leaving the room.

As soon as she stepped out, her smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale had sent their hitman.

Noella turned and entered the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into the shadows.

At the Schnabel Mansion

Yvoene burst through the door, flinging herself at Sienna who was tending to her garden.

“Mom it’s bad news!! saw Noella being taken away!”

Sienna was stunned, her $3 million watering can crashing to the ground in pieces.

“What are you talking about?”

Tristan, hearing the commotion, came out of the study with the four Schnabel sons in tow.

They were just discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in when Yvonne’s panicked. words hit them.

Sienna almost fainted on the spot!

Beckett asked with a stern face, “Where did you see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What if something happened to Noella!”

“I saw Noella getting into a van. I was so scared and I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone and bruised knees, the unfortunate result of her joy at seeing Noella’s plight.

to give those scoundrels plenty of time to do their dirty work, she even strolled around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all to be in tip–top shape to witness Noella getting the boot from the Schnabel family!

Utrich whipped out his phone and called the police.

Jasper frowned and said, “You’re only telling us about something that went down at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you been up to?”

Yvonne dabbed her tears and said in a pitiful tone, “What’s that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital taking care of Grandma. Ever since she’s been admitted, it’s been

all me, all the time. Noella hasn’t even popped in to see Grandma once…”

Tristan roared, “Everybody zip it! We’re all hands on deck to find Noella now!”

“Beckett, you check the mall’s security footage: Ulrich, you go talk to the cops: Stirling, hit the road and drive around looking for Noella; Jasper, come with me to the traffic police department! Noella’s been through the wringer out there, and now with this mess under the Schnabel family’s nose, you four are on a spending freeze for a year!”

The four Schnabel brothers stood at attention and replied, “Yes, sir!”

Noella stood at the door, watching the stern faces of her four brothers and Tristan.

“Where are you all off to in such a rush?”

Like a whirlwind, Sienna swooped in and hugged Noella.

“Baby, are you alright? Let me have a look. Yvonne said she saw you getting kidnapped; I was scared to death!”

13:13

Chapter 17

Sienna checked Noella from head to toe, making sure not a single hair was out of place, with tears streaming down her face,

Noella quickly wiped away her tears.

“I’m fine. I ran into some kidnappers, but Grandpa sent people to rescue me, and now the bad guys have been taken away.”

“Thank goodness Grandpa’s got sharp Instincts. If I lose you again, I’d be beside myself!” Sienna was visibly shaken.

“I’m okay, I just had dinner with Grandpa and came back.” She pulled out her phone to show a selfie taken with Marcel at dinner.

Yvonne was practically wringing her handkerchief to shreds.

“Noella, I was so worried. Seeing those guys manhandling you… Are you sure you’re okay?”

Noella was speechless.

Was she trying to make the Schnabels think those thugs had done something to her? Could her tactics be any more lowbrow?

“I’m fine.”

Yvonne hid the resentment in her eyes.

Why on earth! Why should Marcel pay so much attention to Noella, a wild girl who’s just returned home? Just wait until he gets to know me better, then he will realize I’m the perfect granddaughter for the Schnabel family–blood ties be damned!

With that thought, Yvonne was determined to drive Noella out of the Schnabel family!