CHapter 26

Chapter 26

The surveillance system was crystal clear, and every move in VIP Room 9 was on display.

As the owner of the bar, Noella had reserved a booth in the beginning just for herself, a special spot where she could keep an eye on all the private booths!

Only she could unlock this surveillance haven! She had personally tweaked the cameras to catch every little detail, even in the darkest corners. Everything Toxic Monarch and Thorpe did was under her watchful eye.

Palmer frowned slightly, pointing at the screen where Thorpe was holding a briefcase full of greenbacks. “They seriously think they can deal here?”

“Looks like it.”

“Call the police. If they manage to trade, who knows how many families will suffer.”

Noella nodded, “Already on it. Sent the video feed straight to the international drug enforcement.”

Palmer looked surprised.

“You’re in touch with international drug enforcement?”

“Crossed paths with them about three years ago on a gig in Northstone.”

Palmer’s pupils contracted; he was also in Northstone three years back!

“Did you save someone in Northstone?”

“I’ve saved plenty of people.”

Noella’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, her gaze shining brightly in the dim light, and for a moment, Palmer recalled the time he nearly tumbled off a cliff, when a masked girl reached out

to him!

That girl had eyes just like these!

So it was her!

Noella’s attention returned to the monitors, her gaze falling on Beckett lurking in a corner downstairs.

Why on earth was his brother here?

She said to Palmer, “Let’s split up. You take the third floor; there’s another drug lord meet–up there. I’ll check downstairs.”

Palmer grabbed Noella’s wrist, his handsome face filled with concern. “Be careful. I’ll give you a ride home later.”

“Sure.”

12:23

Chapter 26

At the booth, Beckett and the suit across from him were toasting and having a blast.

Noella squeezed through the crowd, finding Erek lost in the dance. “There are a few bombs on the second floor. Get someone to defuse them.”

“Whoa, boss! You’re like everywhere…ugh, and now, just five minutes into my jam, I gotta go play bomb squad? This job’s killing my buzz!”

“Quit your yapping and get on it. You’ve got thirty minutes.”

Erek, as the second in command of the Obelisk Organization, was pretty top–notch in the bomb defusal department. Ever since Noella handed his ass to him in blood–red defeat a few years. back, he hadn’t met his match.

“Thirty minutes? You’re not giving me much credit.”

“There are twenty–three of them.”

Erek was dumbfounded.

Are you nuts? With that many bombs, if they go off, not just the bar, half the district will be toast!

Asking me to defuse twenty–three bombs in thirty minutes? That’s just cold–hearted!

“Miss one, and it will cost you a year’s salary.”

A whole year!

All bosses are blood–sucking capitalists, aren’t they?

Erek was fuming but dared not speak out!

Beckett’s voice came from behind Noella. “Noella? What are you doing here?”

“Beckett.”

Beckett took Noella by the arm and led her outside, protecting her from the messy crowd, carefully escorting her to the booth.

“Meet Mr. Tobin. This is my little sis Noella. Noella, this is Mr. Tobin.”

While introducing, Beckett meticulously cleaned a glass until it sparkled and poured Noella a glass of juice.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” asked Beckett.

“Just hanging out.”

A flash of that smug Milford face crossed Beckett’s mind, and he frowned. “Alone?”

“I’ve got a friend upstairs.”

12:21

Chap 26

Upstairs? So she wasn’t meeting Milford. Beckett let out a sigh of relief.

“Noella, I’m not saying you can’t have fun, but folks outside can be dangerous. Next time, give me a heads up, or just bring any of the guys along. Don’t go out alone!”

Noella really wanted to tell Beckett that she was eighteen, not eight, but faced with Beckett’s concerned and tender look, and the palpable care, Noella’s heart warmed up.

“Okay, will do, Beckett.”

Mr. Tobin, ignored all this while, was quite taken aback.

The ruthless oil tycoon, the negotiation expert with deals worth billions, was this soft with his sister?

“It’s getting late. I’ll take you home.”

“No need, my friend said he’d drive me.”

Beckett nodded and stroked Noella’s hair gently.

Noella caught a glimpse of several plainclothes cops and smiled sweetly at Beckett. “Beckett. my friend’s here. I gotta go.”

Beckett was concerned but didn’t want to overstep and upset Noella. After a long list of cautions, he watched her blend into the crowd.

Mr. Tobin’s jaw nearly hit the floor!

Beckett turned, the warmth on his face now gone, replaced with a steely resolve.

“Mr. Tobin, about the Tranquility City Rosenberg family, I want them bankrupt within a month. Make it a big scene; I want everyone to hear about their downfall.”

The Rosenberg family, just small fries in the Schnabel family’s eyes, wasn’t worth Beckett’s personal attention.

The fact that Beckett even bothered was a testament to the allure of the tens of thousands of marketing accounts in Tobin’s hands.

Lucky Rosenberg family, even their downfall had Beckett’s attention.

“Rest assured, Mr. Schnabel.”

An international police stood before Noella, speaking with respect. “We’ve received the video you sent. This time we’ll definitely nab Toxic Monarch and Thorpe!”

Thanks to Noella’s help, their numerous drug busts had been successful!

Noella got a message from Erek; all bombs were safely defused.

She nodded at a few police officers and shot a text to Erek.

19-03

Chapter 26

[Announce we’re closing up shop for the night, except for Vif room 9 on the fourth floor st clear the place out, no harm no foul.)

IGot it!)

The bar’s speakers started blaring the messagel

“Why are we shutting down so early today?”

“Come on, let’s hit the road. Remember the last time we had to clear out? Some folks kicked up a fuss and ended up flat broke.”

The bar had its own beefed–up security team a bunch of towering dudes over six feet tall stood by the door, stony–faced, ushering out the patrons.

Beckett’s ride was parked outside, but no sign of Noella for ages,

Mr. Tobin tried to soothe him, “Mr. Schnabel, I reckon Ms. Schnabel must’ve split with her pals. I just saw all the customers inside head out,

Beckett was freaking out! He dialed Noella’s number like a dozen times, but she didn’t pick up!

Just as he was about to bust in and search for her, Noella’s call came through.

“Beckett, I didn’t hear my phone. I’m on my way home now. See you there.

“Alright, just glad you’re okay. I’m heading home now!”

Palmer’s car merged into the main road of Imperial City, becoming one with the sea of traffic.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught glimpses of Noella’s face, bathed in the streetlights, looking like a serene beauty from a painting beneath a tranquil lamplight.

“Tired, huh? You can take a nap. I’ll wake you up in a bit.”

His voice was unbelievably gentle, his cuffs stained with specks of blood, blending with the dazzling ruby cufflinks. It was like an angel and a demon were whispering together a mix of ruthlessness and tenderness in his presence!

Palmer reached back to the seat behind and handed Noella a bag. Inside were fruits, milk, and cake he’d grabbed from the bar.

The evening had been action–packed, and it slipped his mind to check if Noella had eaten. Her pale complexion suggested she might be running low on sugar.

That was on him, for not arranging everything ahead of time.

Noella looked at the bag on her lap.

Palmer was covered in blood, hinting at how dicey things had got. And in such a moment, he still thought to bring her something to munch on?

Suddenly, Noella felt a twinge of emotion about the kind of twisted character she’d crossed

4/5

12:23

Chapter 26

paths with.

Maybe, he was also a friend.

Palmer watched her nibble on the cake, her fair profile puffing slightly, her flawless skin glowing and delicate, cute as a button like a little hamster.

“Noella, you ever heard of the Pollack family?”

“You got a job there?”

Palmer touched his nose and cleared his throat lightly. “Kinda.”

Noella shook her head. “No clue, not interested either. I’ve always wanted a simple and stable life, never cared to snoop around those top–tier families.”

That’s why, after returning to the Schnabel family, she only then realized the Schnabels were one of the big three heavy–hitters in Imperial City!