CHapter 65

Chapter 65

Calvin got the scoop about Yvonne first thing in the morning when he swung by the hospital for rounds. He quickly threw on his clothes and dashed to the ICU to check on her. Seeing she was mostly okay, he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Why on earth would she take a plunge into the water out of the blue? The sea was still freaking cold in spring!

“Mr. Schnabel do you think Miss Yvonne was all worked up and went off the deep end because of the school’s punishment?”

Marcel was also clued in on Yvonne’s disciplinary action. The school had been fair and square. even cutting her some slack because of the Schnabel family’s rep. Otherwise, she’d be packing her bags and out on her ear by now.

Marcel thought, “How did the kid I watched grow up turn into this hot mess?”

“All worked up? What’s there to be worked up about? Just keep an eye on her until she wakes up, and then we’ll talk.”

Calvin nodded and gave Marcel a thorough check–up. He was the go–to guy for these old–timers‘ health and knew Marcel’s condition like the back of his hand. Last month’s shaky numbers are now looking way better!

“Mr. Schnabel, you’re in such good shape. You could pass for a young buck! You’ve bounced back so much and could probably be homebound for some R&R next month.”

Marcel, getting on in years, loved nothing more than good news about his health. “Really? Thank heavens for Noella’s magic touch with the meds. Can’t wait to get out of here – I’m starting to smell like disinfectant!”

Marcel shot up from bed and kicked open the neighboring ward’s door, puffing himself up and boomed, “Sexton, I’m busting out of this joint next month! Hahaha! You can rot in here for all I

care!”

Sexton couldn’t sit still. He sprang up and grabbed Noella’s hand, begging with puppy–dog eyes. “Noella, I want to be discharged too! Please, Noella, I’m begging you!”

Noella was about to turn him down, but looking at those big, sad eyes, she just couldn’t spit it

out.

“Fine, stick to the meds I gave you, get your daily checks, exercise, no staying up late, no picky eating, and you’ll be out next month.”

“Yeah! You’re the best. Noella!” Sexton strutted over to Marcel, giving him a nudge with his shoulder. “It’s not just you with a granddaughter here, Noella’s my granddaughter–in–law too!”

“And if I say no, your boy Palmer is gonna stay a bachelor!” Marcel retorted.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Watch me!”

Noella was used to the old coots scrapping like kids. At their age, they couldn’t really throw down, at most just yank a few hairs out of each other’s already thinning scalps.

She turned to Calvin and whispered, “Ashlyn’s condition has worsened. Go check on her.”

“Sure, I’ll send you a report later. As for the old men here…” Calvin was practically starry–eyed looking at Noella, inches away from dropping to his knees and shamelessly begging for Marcel’s miracle recipe.

“Help me out next time, then we’ll talk.”

Calvin was floored! He might actually get a chance to see Noella in action!

“Alright, I’ll go check on Ashlyn. You’ve got this!” As soon as he stepped out of the ward, Calvin expertly ignored the crowd that had gathered at the door.

These big shots‘ visitors were always a circus, bringing gifts that ended up in the anti–bribery department by the truckload.

Belinda perked up when someone finally came out, only to see a doctor in a white coat – not the Pollack family VIP they were waiting for.

She sized up Calvin, feeling he looked familiar but couldn’t place him behind the mask. Maybe he was one of those Insta–famous docs.

The Lamberts seemed a little deflated. They were promised a visit from the Pollack Group’s big cheese, and yet, no sign of him.

Vincent grumbled. “Talk about undutiful. What time is it, and he still hasn’t shown up to see his granddad? We’ve been here all morning!”

1

Milford shot him a glare when no one was looking.

Like the Pollack Group’s CEO needs to report his whereabouts to you. Get over yourself! Milford scolded inwardly.

The Rosenbergs were here because Beckett had them by the throat in business. If they could cozy up to the Pollacks, getting blackballed by the Schnabels wouldn’t be a big deal.

Right now, the Pollacks were the Rosenbergs‘ lifeline!

Briony eyed Milford in his wheelchair, almost jealous. She could kill for a seat. Standing for five hours in heels, her feet were on fire.

“Mom, is Palmer Pollack coming today or what?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. Just look at the crowd waiting!”

But unlike them, this crowd seemed to come prepared, whipping out newspapers and plopping down on the floor like it was a picnic!

Was this how you ask for a favor? Or was this just how Imperial City folks rolled?

2/3

12:49

Chapter 65

And the hospital staff didn’t even bother to shoo them away. Standing with them, Belinda felt her own classiness slipping.

When the ward door swung open, there was Marcel, masked and hatted, being wheeled out by Noella. Seeing his get–up, Noella had to stifle a laugh.

Marcel hated small talk. Whenever the ward got crowded, he’d cover his face to avoid accidentally rolling his eyes at the public.

The moment she stepped out, the folks lounging by the door were up in a flash, ditching their newspapers and snapping to attention. They formed a neat, human wall in front of Marcel and Noella!

“Mr. Schnabel, Army Unit 302 at your service to escort you!”

The Lamberts and the Rosenbergs hadn’t even gotten over the shock of bumping into Noella here when they noticed the bunch of country bumpkins sitting around them suddenly rise up, exuding a fierce, military aura.

Turns out, these weren’t farmers at all; they were special forces soldiers recruited from the military.

“How many?”

“Fifteen, all secured, Mr. Schnabel. Rest easy!”

Marcel hodded with a smile. “A bit fewer than yesterday, not bad. Looks like it’s about time for me to head home. Hear that, Noella?”

“Yes, I’ll arrange your discharge.”

“Let’s go check on Ashlyn’s ward.

After the big commotion this morning, Sienna, even as virtuous as she was, she was still the Schnabels‘ grandkids‘ real–deal mom.

Merrick and Marcel were comrades in arms from their youth, and with his fiery temper, knowing his daughter was being slighted and the Schnabels did zilch, he’d be ready to raise hell.

Noella pushed the wheelchair past, completely ignoring the two families standing by the road.

Milford’s itch started acting up when he saw how chummy Noella was with Marcel. He wondered what Beckett was thinking, allowing his secret sweetheart to take care of his own. granddad. Rich folks sure know how to live it up.

Vincent was gobsmacked seeing Noella. “Noella, what are you doing here? Since when did you get to know Marcel, and you didn’t even tell me!”

He was almost beside himself with excitement! Maybe Noella was a caregiver the Schnabels hired for Marcel. If she put in a good word, the Schnabels would definitely start seeing the Lamberts in a new light, giving them a leg up to thrive!