Dalia's voice still trembled as she spoke, "I know him!"
Dillon, as the eldest grandson of the Patel family, had been abroad for studies and business, only recently returning home.
"How do you know him?"
"Well... we met playing video games, and only later did I find out he was part of the Patel family."
Dalia looked around for her phone, only to remember it was taken when she was kidnapped.
The Patel family had business dealings with Noella’s art gallery, having consigned a few paintings there, all under Dalia’s management. Thus, Dalia and Dillon had come to know each other.
Noella pulled out her phone and dialed Beckett’s number.
"Ensuring Ms. Darcy’s safety, I told her you returned to the gallery."
Dalia quickly took the phone, apologizing and coaxing in a flurry to calm the worried and angry Darcy.
Noella looked at Dillon, unconscious on the bed.
"You knocked him out?"
Palmer nodded, "It was convenient. After all, I don’t really like people witnessing me taking someone down."
That was indeed very convenient.
Noella knew Palmer came into this room probably because he saw Dalia, knowing she was an employee of her gallery, so he followed to check.
"These assassins were hired by the Patel family, planning to target you, Beckett, and Stirling. I just took care of them too. Did I do good?"
Noella faced the man clearly seeking approval.
She coldly chuckled, "So, this isn’t your room, and that takeout on the desk isn’t yours?"
He hadn’t planned on eating at all!
Caught in his lie, Palmer immediately became flustered!
Just as he tried to explain, Noella scoffed and left the room!
"So much for lying. Seems Mr. Pollack isn’t hungry after all!"
"Noella, listen to me..."
The door slammed shut, leaving Palmer rubbing his nose, caught in a mix of helplessness and embarrassment.
Noella’s temperament was clear to him; usually indifferent to most things, but stubborn and domineering when provoked.
Now he was in trouble!
Behind him, Dalia, holding Noella’s phone, asked, "Um, Mr. Pollack, could you let me out, please?"
In a spat between the boss and her fiancé, she naturally sided with her boss, especially holding Noella’s phone!
Palmer opened the door, taking the phone from Dalia, and marched out first.
"Let Annie set you up in a room, get some rest."
Catching up with Noella ahead, Palmer knew she was waiting for him.
"Why follow?"
She wasn’t ready to deal with him yet!
"I was wrong! I’ll go eat now."
The attempt at appeasement looked odd on his face, and even his apology sounded stiff, clearly not used to saying such things.
Noella took her phone back, looking into his dark eyes, her anger dissipating.
"Alright, I’ll look for Stirling."
Since Stirling was also a target here, Noella needed to ensure his safety.
Palmer knew Noella’s concerns were for their safety.
"The Abyssal Organization is at your command; they recognize you."
"I understand."
Having not seen each other for days, Palmer wanted to linger, but worried Noella might still be upset, so he headed to the dining area.
As he left, a door cracked open, revealing a gleaming bald head.
"Noella, over here!"
Approaching with curiosity, "Why are you here?"
Letting Noella in, Horatio explained, "Business. Once it’s settled, I’m off wandering again! Thought to say goodbye, but here you are!"
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