Chapter 44 Palmer’s eyes were glued to Noella on the stage the whole time. He’d run through a gazillion scenarios in his head, but never saw it coming that she’d turn out to be the lady of the Schnabel family! She looked stunning in that gown! The sheer silk outlined her slender waist, which was slim enough to make anyone green with envy. The gown was tailored to perfection, with each swirl and pleat meticulously designed, making her look like she was enveloped by waves and clouds as she moved. With a pink diamond necklace gracing her swan–like neck and her hair cascading down like mist, she was the spitting image of a fairy straight out of a storybook. Tristan was busy introducing Noella around and raking in a ton of birthday presents. But Palmer was on the move, heading straight for Noella! “Hey, wasn’t there some kind of arranged marriage deal between the Pollack and Schnabel families?” “Yeah, and look at Palmer making a beeline for Noella. If you ask me, they’re a match made in heaven.” “Totally! Only a family like the Pollacks could land a celestial beauty like the fairy–like young lady from the Schnabel family.” Hearing the whispers around him, Palmer couldn’t help but crack a slight smirk. “Happy birthday! This is my gift to you.” Noella’s eyes met Palmer’s, and there was a fleeting look of surprise in them. Tristan slapped his forehead and quickly introduced them, “Oh, Noella, totally slipped my mind to introduce you. This here’s Palmer Pollack, your fiancé. You two were betrothed as kids and now’s the perfect time to meet.” “Palmer, this is my daughter, Noella!” Palmer nodded with a mischievous and teasing grin, “Noella? That’s a pretty name, got it memorized!” She Couldn’t tell if he was emphasizing her name on purpose or not! And fiancé? She knew she had one, but she never imagined it would be Palmer! What happened to driving an Uber and scraping by? “Here’s my gift for you.” Palmer handed over a beautifully wrapped box with a pearwood carving and some fancy lettering. 12-13 Chapter 44 “To my heart’s bright moon. Palmer.” Tristan couldn’t close his mouth when he saw the box! “Didn’t you just prepare a gift for Noella? Why another one? You’re being too kind!” Palmer’s gaze rested on Noella’s face, as tender as moonlight. “That one was for Ms. Schnabel, this one is from me to Noella,” Tristan couldn’t make heads or tails of young people’s idea of romance! But he knew, if Palmer went out of his way to give two gifts, he must be really into their Noella! Seeing the kids hit it off made him as happy as a clam, and he even started to ponder whether the grandkids would take the Schnabel or the Pollack surname. Noella simply said, “Thanks.” “Don’t mention it, my dear fiancée. Is this guy for real? She was speechless for a moment, but with all the eyes around, she couldn’t diss Tristan’s face and had to play along. “Ms. Schnabel and Mr. Pollack are such a dream couple!” “Ms. Schnabel is a knockout, and with Mr. Pollack, they’re just perfect!” kids are gonna be off–the–charts cute!” But the Schnabel brothers weren’t buying it. Their sister had just come home, and they weren’t done spoiling her yet! How could they let some random fiancé swoop in and steal her away! Beckett stepped in front of Noella, sizing up Palmer with a critical eye. “My sister just got home. and she’s got her own name. No need to scare her, Mr. Pollack.“. Ulrich pushed his glasses up his nose and said with a seemingly friendly smile. “Noella’s still young; no rush for marriage. We, the Schnabels, aren’t planning on marrying off any daughters for at least a decade.” A decade? Noella would be an old maid by then! Stirling frowned at Palmer and pulled Noella behind him. “No offense, Mr. Pollack, but aren’t you twenty–four already? My sis is only nineteen. Don’t you think you are a bit old for her?” Palmer had just turned twenty–four, so how did that make him old? Jasper looked at Palmer disapprovingly. “Mr. Pollack, you’ve delivered your present, so you can leave now, right?” 12:14 Chapter 44 Elara stood by Noella’s side, seemingly chatting with her, but her sharp eyes stayed fixed on Palmer, full of wariness. “Noella, if you don’t like him, just say it. We don’t need to marry off a daughter for some business alliance. Your happiness Is what matters most!” The Schnabel siblings shielded Noella behind them, not leaving even a sliver of space. Tristan, touched by the kids‘ closeness, was about to burst into tears. “Stop messing around. Mr. Pollack came all the way here to give Noella a gift. You all go. entertain the guests and don’t make a spectacle.” Beckett reached out to Palmer. “Come on, Mr. Pollack, I saw a few families you’re in business with over there.” Palmer’s face still wore a gentle and affable smile. “No, you go ahead, Beckett. I want to keep Noella company.” Beckett was a bit annoyed. Ulrich was definitely not feeling Palmer’s vibe. “Mr. Pollack’s all fired up meeting Noella for the first time, huh? Or is he just like this with any pretty girl that crosses his path? So…” Palmer cracked a gentlemanly smile. “I’m only like this with Noella. No need to sweat it – I’ve already bumped into Noella loads of times.” Ulrich was like, yeah, pull the other one! They’ve all been up to their eyeballs in birthday party prep these past few days. They’ve hardly had a chance to hang with their own sis, and Palmer’s saying he’s seen Noella a bunch? Stirling, who’s got the shortest fuse, snapped, “Mr. Pollack, you talk like you’re head over heels for our Noella. Don’t you worry it’ll be a real knee–slapper when people catch wind of this?” Palmer’s gaze landed on Noella. “As long as Noella knows my true feelings, that’s all that matters.” Stirling was speechless. How thick–skinned can this Pollack dude get! Suddenly, a video popped up on the giant screen in the middle of the banquet hall! The clueless crowd glanced over, hands over their mouths in shock! “Isn’t that Noella in the video? What’s she doing getting out of that clunker?” “Could it be Ms. Schnabel’s actually got a boyfriend? That would make Mr. Pollack look like a real cuck!” ‘But no one dared to say it out loud; they all pretended they saw zilch. 374 Chapter 44 Yvonne was holed up in the control room, giddy with anticipation for a showdown. Then she’d swoop in to tell Palmer she could be his new bridel Just thinking about it had Yvonne on the verge of squealingl Noella’s eyes were fixed on the screen. The video was shot from a bunch of different angles, One could clearly see her stepping out of the car each time, a sweet smile plastered on her face. Waiting for the car, one could almost feel her anticipation. Elara had already seen the video and was freaking out, trying to cover for Noella! “This video’s gotta be doctored – It’s got ‘fake‘ written all over it!” The four Schnabel brothers were on high alert! They couldn’t give a hoot about the family’s rep. but if this video got out, folks would definitely be gabbing about their little sister! She’s just a kid: she wouldn’t be able to handle all that chit–chat!
