Chapter 156

Elara watched Jacob’s retreating figure, then turned to Noella with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t mind him, Come on, let’s hit the town. I’ll show you around.”

Emerald County wasn’t exactly sprawling, nor was it tiny, Outside the research facility lay the old county town, where researchers typically passed their time.

Noella grabbed Elara’s hand, halting her. “I’m beat, Elara. How ‘bout we just chill? Keep me company?”

Elara’s heart soared like a Fourth of July firework! Her little sis wanted to hang out with her!

Blinded by Noella’s gentle, sunny smile, Elara didn’t think twice. She eagerly led Noella toward the Schnabel family’s ancestral home in Emerald County.

“I usually bunk at the dorms, but it’s kinda cramped. How about we crash at the family estate for a couple of days?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Noella noticed the dark circles under Elara’s eyes but pretended not to see them.

The mansion was always kept spick and span, with its charming rustic aesthetics and timeless appeal illuminated by the warm glow of indoor lights. A relic from the previous century, it would fetch a pretty penny if ever put on the market.

At the bedroom door, Elara’s mix of guilt and glee was palpable. “Uh, so Noella… Since nobody’s been staying at the mansion, I was worried about security stuff. How about you bunk with me for safety?”

She twiddled her thumbs, all hopeful and afraid of being seen through. Thankfully, her little sister, ever so innocent and kind, didn’t catch on to her sly moves.

“Sure, I’ll freshen up, and you can hit the hay.”

Elara couldn’t be happier! She was gonna share a room–and a bed–with her sister!.

She did a little victory roll on the bed, giggling into the pillow, then sneakily’messaged the whole Schnabel family.

[Guess who’s sleeping with Noella tonight? That’s right, yours truly, Elara. Jealous much?]

The Schnabel kin weren’t exactly envious, just a tad bitter, maybe a smidge jealous, and kind of wanting to give Elara a noogie!

After freshening up, Noella found Elara already snoozing, clutching a pillow. Her phone screen was still on, displaying a family photo sent by Stirling.

Elara looked peaceful in sleep, clearly wiped out.

Noella didn’t disturb her. She quietly left the room and sat down in the garden, connecting to

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11:16

Chapter 156

the deep web.

message popped

the deep web: someone’s looking to score a ticket to Lockhart

[The target?]

the Pacific, then the signal was gone. Also, hot gossip: Arthur Gruber seems keen on

circles! Everyone’s buzzing about whether Arthur’s gone off

just opened across from

was practically gorging on drama!

now the chosen heir. Erek’s half–tempted to ask if the Grubers

were they even

‘em

[Roger that!]

veering into ‘controlled by hallucinogens‘

off the deep web and

texting Palmer, his

been ghosting my messages. What gives?”

off

hour ago; how clingy could a

I’m really missing you.”

back in

do you miss me?”

“Palmer, we just saw each

little down, perhaps a bit wounded. “So? My fiancée promised me a late–night

dinner plans, but wasn’t he

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11:16

I miss

to do the trick, making

got some trouble

“A protégé? More like a

Phoenix Lab? She was a genius, and her talents

Lab was lucky to have Elara.

seemed like Noella was in good terms

family hit rough waters,” Palmer revealed,

“What happened?”

continued with a hint of sorrow. “If not for that incident,

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