Noella didn't look up, but the intensity of her grip on the bandage increased slightly.
"Keep staring, and I don't mind you suffering a few more days."
Palmer turned and picked up a thin cardigan with his uninjured hand, draping it over Noella's shoulders.
"It's just that my fiancée is too enchanting." He had been impolite, but every time he saw her, Palmer realized that his self-control, which he had always taken pride in, amounted to nothing!
Noella slipped into the cardigan and finished rebandaging Palmer's wound, securing it with a knot.
"There, that should do it."
She expertly disposed of the bloodied bandages and sprayed the room with a scent that neutralized the metallic smell of blood.
Only then did Palmer respond to Noella's earlier question.
"It's not a tough situation. If they want the CEO seat at the Pollack Group, I’ll just let them have it. After all, the CEO is just a puppet for the board. I don't mind taking some time off."
As the largest shareholder of the Pollack Group, it was Palmer's stock that truly allowed him to call the shots within the company. But anyone who wanted what he had would have to weigh their own clout in taking it from him!
It was perfect timing; he could use this opportunity to spend time with his fiancée!
"Are you going back to university tomorrow? Will you be staying at home?"
"Yeah, Beckett took care of the paperwork. I won't be boarding."
The Schnabel family was too fond of Noella, and with the university so close to the Schnabel Manor, Sienna wasn't keen on having her precious daughter crammed into a tiny dorm with several classmates. So Beckett arranged for Noella to commute daily from the Schnabel Manor.
With plenty to handle at Polaris Star and Obelisk Organization, living on campus wasn't ideal for Noella either.
After Sienna and Tristan dropped Noella off at university, they boarded a flight to Barcelander, embarking on some alone time.
Palmer was also pleased with this arrangement. If she stayed at the dorm every day, it would be harder for him to see her. He couldn't exactly loiter around the school gates, could he?
Yet the thought of doing just that brought a smile to his face.
"Shall I drive you to and from university?"
Noella glanced at him. "It's just a few minutes' walk, no need."
"Of course, there's a need. My fiancée doesn't have a driver's license, and it's a bit of a hassle for you to get home alone. You don't mind that I'm currently unemployed, a drifter with no job, do you?"
His recent lack of employment was part of his own scheme to cast aside the company's affairs, wasn't it?
Everyone knew that the Pollack Group was still under his thumb; even Sexton was working for Palmer!
Once the Pollack family actually took over the company's reins, they would find a plethora of pitfalls left by Palmer. Whether they grit their teeth and use their personal fortunes to fill those gaps or willingly return the power, they'd have enough trouble to lose a layer of skin, with wolves in front and tigers behind, and crocodiles lurking beneath.
Noella was just beginning to realize how cunning this man was!
"Has anyone from Abyssal Organization ever told you that you're cold-hearted?"
Palmer chuckled, propping his uninjured hand under his chin, gazing intently at the woman before him.
"However Obelisk Organization speaks of you is how Abyssal Organization speaks of me. In that regard, we're quite compatible."
In fact, he thought they matched well in many ways!
"I heard you played zither today. It's a shame I wasn't there to witness it. I hope I don't miss such occasions in the future."
"It was an accident."
She hadn't planned to perform.
Noella didn’t care for Oriana’s underhanded tactics and insincere demeanor. However, considering Garrick's setup, it seemed he was determined to put her on display.
No matter the hurdles, he was more than willing to go the extra mile for the girl he cherished!
“Can I get a chance, and can you give yourself a chance, to truly understand your own heart?”
If she held a place for him in her heart, he hoped she could see the depth of his feelings! If not, then he would make sure that her heart and eyes were filled only with him!
Noella gazed into his eyes, deep and shiny, as if the passion and favor of the entire universe were pooled within them. It was as though not even the gods would dare to deny him!
Noella’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
“Alright.”
...
The next morning, Beckett’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he saw Palmer emerging from Noella’s room.
Had the guy spent the entire night in Noella’s room!
He had seen Palmer sneak off to Noella’s room in the middle of the night, and after restraining himself from intervening when no calls for help came, he didn't disturb them. But now, seeing Noella and Palmer come out together, Beckett couldn’t stay put.
“What’s going on here? Mr. Pollack, don’t tell me you spent the entire night in Noella’s room?”
Palmer smiled with gentle elegance. “Last night, I was helping Noella dry her hair. She mentioned it was late, so she didn’t let me go back, and I ended up staying the night.”
Noella cast a fleeting glance at him. “It was you who wouldn't take no for an answer.”
Insisting his wrist was too injured to climb back over the balcony, he made do with her couch for the night rather than leaving.
Seeing that Noella didn’t object, Beckett had to admit he was taken aback!
Tristan and Sienna just went on a trip, and the Schnabel family’s home was burglarized!
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony )