CHapter 20

Chapter 20

Palmer hung around Sexton for a bit before getting up and walking out of the ward.

Outside the ward, Yvonne was practically drooling over Palmer.

“Palmy, how about we grab dinner together? I know this killer spot downtown that’s just perfect. for couples–super romantic. I have always wanted to go there with you.

Palmer didn’t even give her a glance, his profile cold as ice, untouched by the world, his eyes sparkling like diamonds.

“Beat it.”

The bodyguards kept Yvonne at bay, preventing her from getting any closer to Palmer.

Yvonne was stamping her feet in frustration!

Once Palmer realizes how awesome she is, he’s bound to fall for her!

He must have kicked her out because he’s clueless about their engagement.

After some thought, Yvonne dialed a number on her cellphone.

“Hello, I’d like to add a trending topic on Twitter, about the Schnabel family and the Pollack family’s engagement!”

Palmer sat in the doctor’s office, pondering over Sexton’s poisoning incident.

Calvin came jogging in, his forehead slick with sweat.

“Mr. Pollack, I’ve looked over Sexton’s prescription; there’s nothing wrong with it, but someone. switched up some of the meds he was taking. I’ve checked his health, and the surgery was a success! Thankfully, whoever operated on him was a real pro; it looks like the work of a master!”

Palmer eased up a bit and asked, “A master? Yvonne claimed she did the surgery.”

Calvin swore in exasperation.

“Fat chance, I had her in class just yesterday, and she couldn’t even tell different surgical blades apart. And she’s supposed to perform surgery? The person who operated on Sexton is clearly an expert, a genius even! It kinda reminds me of Ulrich’s technique.”

Palmer nodded.

“Thanks, Professor Calvin, for looking after my grandfather.”

“That’s my job. Gonna make my rounds now.”

Calvin couldn’t stop thinking about the wound he’d seen as it was stitched up so beautifully!

If it weren’t for Sexton’s high–profile status, he’d have taken a photo to study it.

Ulrich was a well–known prodigy in the medical field, and also Marcel’s grandson. If he happened to be there and performed the surgery, it’s not out of the question.

Rumor has it he was in Marcel’s room when Sexton fell ill.

Maybe Sexton got confused post–surgery, mistaking the grandson for the granddaughter!

A bodyguard walked in with a phone, whispering, “Boss, Ms. Schnabel has bought a trending topic about you.

The secretary let out a shriek and whipped out her phone.

Top of the trending list was the engagement between Yvonne and Palmer!

The post even had detailed introductions of Palmer and Yvonne, pointing out that the Schnabel family had only one daughter!

And there were comments quoting Beckett from an event, “I, Beckett, only have one sister, and the Schnabel family will always have just one daughter!”

The comment section was covertly gorging on the drama.

[What’s this high–profile engagement announcement about? It was like a tale of a mogul and a princess in love!]

[Miss Yvonne looks every bit the perfect lady, a match made in heaven with Mr. Pollack.]

[The crowd’s buzzing–when’s the wedding?]

The secretary was gobsmacked!

“Thank goodness they don’t have your photo, Mr. Pollack

Has Yvonne lost her marbles? Posting so many edited pictures of herself, she doesn’t look anything like that!”

Palmer’s lips curled in a cold smirk, his whole being exuding a frosty aura!

Those who knew him were aware that he was pissed!

A sharp, icy glint flashed in his eyes.

Palmer spoke icily, “Scrub the post, find out who’s behind this, bankrupt those marketing accounts, and sue them.”

“Right away!”

“Prepare two gifts for the Schnabel family.”

The secretary got all excited. “Aww, Mr. Pollack, did Ms. Schnabel’s reminder jog your memory about your engagement, and now you’re off to ask for her hand?”

One gift has to be for Ms. Schnabel, and the other for her parents!

Another assistant chimed in, “Are you daft? If Mr. Pollack was going to propose, he wouldn’t

13:15

Chap 20

have told Ms, Schnabel to scram just now. After buying such a crazy trending topic, how could he go ask for her hand?”

The secretary was silent. Right, Palmer did just kick Yvonne out!

“So what are you up to then, Mr. Pollack?”

With an air of nobility, Palmer spoke calmly. “One’s for Ulrich to thank him for saving Grandpa. the other’s for the Schnabel parents–I’m calling off the engagement!”

The secretary almost bit his own tongue!

“Mr. Pollack, your grandfather has just come around, and you’re calling off the engagement? If he finds out, won’t he have a relapse from the shock?”

The assistant retorted. “You’re the dalt one. With Ms. Schnabel acting like this, buying that nutty trending topic, it Mr. Pollack doesn’t call off the engagement, that’ll kill his grandfather.”

The assistant handed over an IPad and said, “Mr. Pollack, the Schnabel family does have. another daughter, Elara, currently doing research in Emerald County. She’s the one whose lab made headlines last year.”

Palmer took the iPad.

There was a photo of a girl with an expressionless face, Elara, in a lab coat holding a test tube. seemingly at peace with the world.

The secretary exclaimed, “Who would’ve thought the Schnabel family actually has another daughter, and she’s a genius at that, a postdoc at 18, an honorary fellow at the Harmonia Country Science Research Institute–now there’s the true daughter of the Schnabel family!”

“Mr. Pollack, are you canceling the engagement with this Ms. Schnabel too?”

Palmer was silent. He didn’t have an engagement with every Ms. Schnabel out there!

“I’ve got an engagement with the Schnabel family, not some Ms. Schnabel. Get the break–up gift ready, and I’m going to call it quits in a few days.”

The

e assistant knew Palmer was set in his ways and wanted to make one last–ditch effort.

“Mr. Pollack, the Schnabels sent an invite for their daughter’s birthday next week. Maybe hit that up first and then drop the break–up bomb? After all, the two families go way back. You’d be really slapping the Schnabels in the face if you did it like this.”

Palmer nodded and said, “Alright, that’s the plan. I’ll announce the breakup at Ms. Schnabel’s birthday party.”

The secretary thought to himself that the Schnabels would probably have a fit.

That Ms. Schnabel, she better start praying for good luck!

“A birthday party?”

3/4

13:15

Noella was mid–bite when her folks made a big deal about throwing her a birthday party. She instinctively wanted to say no thanks. She wasn’t one for the limelight. Back when she was with the Lamberts, she never got birthday gifts, only Briony got a birthday cake.

Belinda wouldn’t let Noella waste money but would cough up thousands for Briony’s cake. claiming it was to make up for Briony’s sadness.

Sienna was cupping her face, looking at Noella with kid gloves.

“Sweetheart, sorry your dad and I never celebrated your birthday all these years. This time. we’re gonna announce you to the world at your birthday party! Tell everyone you’re the only daughter the Schnabels have!”

Tristan was nodding like a bobblehead next to her. He had dug up that back in the Lambert days, his precious girl never celebrated her birthday.

That’s just sad! Thinking about how his daughter had suffered made Tristan want to cry.

Boo–hoo–hoo, Noella had it tough! They had to make it up to her big time!

“Honey, don’t worry, from now on, your mom and I will make your birthdays special, and you’ll be the happiest princess in the world!”

The four Schnabel boys were also nodding fiercely, even starting to plan the birthday party on the spot.

Seeing them so excited, Noella didn’t have the heart to say no and agreed.

Beckett tenderly stroked Noella’s silky hair and said with a smile, “Noella, you just show up and look pretty, we’ll handle the rest. Leave everything to your brothers!”

“Yeah, we’ll throw the grandest birthday party for our little sis!”

Yvonne, shamelessly lounging on the sofa, was practically tearing her handkerchief to shreds!

Why should Noella have it so good? She was a Schnabel daughter too, but no one ever made a fuss about her birthday, not even a gift.

Does blood really mean that much?