CHapter 192

Chapter 192

Elara was still gnawing at the rock–hard loaf of bread Sienna had baked with more enthusiasm than skill. The message on her screen was so unexpected that she nearly chipped a tooth on the dense bread.

Noella walked in just in time to see Elara furiously typing away, surrounded by what looked like a pile of charcoal briquettes.

“What are you researching there, Elara? Charcoal?” Noella quipped, peering at the blackened lumps,

“Noella, darling, I might as well be analyzing these for their carbon content to figure out why they’re so blasted hard! But alas, these are Mom’s so–called ‘breads“.”

Noella, well–acquainted with Sienna’s culinary catastrophes, gave a diplomatic assessment. “Well, it’s an improvement over her last batch. Praise where praise is due.”

But let’s be honest, the improvement wasn’t really obvious.

Elara gestured Noella to come closer to the computer. “Look at this, I’ve got a string of anonymous texts. I pulled some strings to track the sender, and guess what? It’s Yates Gruber, the eldest son of the Gruber family. What could he possibly want with me?”

Her phone number was under strict supervision, with all incoming messages logged by her superiors. Considering the texts mentioned Phoenix Lab, she decided to dig deeper. Elara was a woman who trusted data over gossip.

She was more interested in why Yates reached out than the vague threats he mentioned. After Noella nonchalantly recounted the recent events at the Grubers‘, Elara’s frown was so sharp it could slice through the tension.

“So, that dimwit failed to charm you and now he’s knocking on my door? Genius must run in the Gruber family,” Elara scoffed.

Yates probably assumed that after seeing his messages, Elara would inevitably get in touch. His follow–up text was an invitation to dinner, of all things.

Elara snorted and hit ‘report‘.

“Protected numbers like mine aren’t handed out to just anyone. If Yates is privy to so much dirt on Phoenix Lab, maybe he’s the instigator. He can explain himself to the State Security Bureau.”

Reporting Yates on suspicions of tampering with state secrets was quick work for Elara. Noella could almost picture the look on Yates‘ face when he got the call from the authorities – definitely not his best moment.

After sending the report, Elara was in high spirits. “Come on, Noella, let’s hit the shops! Whatever you want, it’s on me!”

10-56

She lowered her voice conspiratorially, “You have no Idea, I’ve come into quite a bit of cash lately. Donations from the Pollack family, from our parents, from our brothers – I’m rolling in it!”

Initially, Elara thought the first deposit from the Schnabel family was a prelude to being kicked to the curb. Turns out, Tristan, Sienna, and her brothers just felt sorry for her. The Pollacks didn’t hesitate and cut her in on some shares. And then there were the

unexpected funds from the Richardsons,

Resting her head on Noella’s shoulder, Elara’s voice grew muffled. “I’ve had it too easy, Noella. I’ve never known hardship within our family. I’m not the one to pity. It’s me who stole the life you were meant to have. I’m sorry.”

The mere thought of Harriet’s revelations – all the experiences that should’ve been her sister’s – brought tears to her eyes.

Noella felt a warmth in her heart, knowing these were words Elara had longed to say. She smiled gently, patting Elara’s hand in comfort.

“It wasn’t your choice to make. You’ve done nothing wrong. There’s no need for apologies.”

Elara nodded against Noella. “I’ve got the what to do.”

paternity test results, Noella. I… I don’t know

The numbers confirmed her suspicions, but seeing them in black and white left her feeling

adrift.

“My mother… she doesn’t recognize me, doesn’t remember me.”

Elara tried to laugh it off, but the tears came anyway. “I tried to see her, Noella, but she… she doesn’t remember me at all.

Forgetting one’s child was pain enough, but being forgotten cut Elara deeply.

Feeling the dampness against her neck, Noella stayed still, offering a silent ear as her sister poured her heart out.

“I already have the best mother in the world. Is it too greedy to want more?”

Noella shook her head. “She’s your birth mother. It’s natural to think about her. Whatever made her forget, there’s always hope for a day when she’ll remember.”

But when that day might come, Noella couldn’t say.

The reasons behind Lavinia and Harriet’s amnesia likely stemmed from outside forces, yet whether they were the same could not be discerned. How Harriet regained her memories was also a mystery to Noella. With the past entangled in parts of Polaris Star unknown to Noella, unraveling the truth would be no simple task.

Comforted by Noella, Elara’s mood eventually evened out.

10.56

Her sister was the best indeed, always knowing how to soothe her!

Her phone chimed, and Elara tapped to put the call on speaker.

“Ms. Schnabel, I meant no offense. I just wanted to share some information about Phoenix Lab. Why are you so cold?”

Elara looked to Noella for confirmation; it was indeed Yates on the line.

“Then spit it out, Yates. If it’s something the higher–ups haven’t disclosed, how in the world did you come by such information?”

“Heh, the Gruber family has its fair share of secrets that you might not be privy to. If you’re curious, I’d like to extend an invitation to dinner. I’m an open book, ready to spill the beans on anything you wish to know.”

“Not interested. I’m afraid just the sight of you would make me lose my appetite. Since you insisted on calling, spill it- who’s the puppet master behind Phoenix Lab?”

Yates knew the moment he got off the phone with the State Security Bureau that Elara Schnabel was no easy nut to crack.

However, her aloofness only piqued his interest further. A fool would be no match for him, and he was sure she was anything but.

“Ms. Schnabel, what I’m about to reveal might knock your socks off. Are you sure you want to hear such sensitive information over the phone?”

“Spit it out or I hang up.”

Yates choked on her icy demeanor, his carefully curated, suave grin faltering!

Were all daughters of the Schnabel family this impervious?

He was seething.

This infuriating woman, nothing but an adopted nobody from the Schnabels, acting all high and mighty like some untouchable queen! If she ever fell into his clutches, he’d show

her!

“Ms. Schnabel, the snake in the grass looking to trip you up at Phoenix Lab is closer than you think. You place your trust in the Schnabels, yet they’ve never truly seen you as one of their own.”

Elara rolled her eyes and flipped her phone the bird at Yates‘ number.

What kind of moron did he take her for? Who still tried to sow discord between her and the Schnabels these days?

With a cold laugh, she challenged, “So, who’s out to get me? You seem to know so much, Yates. Surely you know which Schnabel is gunning for me, right?”

10.56

Yates smiled with unfounded confidence Ms. Schnabel, a rising star like you naturally

steps on toes. The one who wants you gone is none other than the recently returned Noellat Ms. Schnabel, you’ve been trusting the wrong person all along!