Chapter 4 An Old Acquaintance Queena
Noelle had spoken with her eldest uncle, Ryder Sandback, over the phone a few days ago and arranged a time to visit the Sandback residence.
The Sandback family members did not live together. Ryder and the second eldest, Waylon Sandback, had their own residences elsewhere, while the youngest, Xavier Sandback, had been living abroad for years.
During holidays, the family would gather at the Sandback residence, but for most of the year, only Kingston Sandback and Phoebe Denison lived there.
Upon learning that Noelle had arrived in Jamore, Ryder offered to arrange her accommodations, but she declined, stating that she had already made plans. They only agreed on the time for her visit to the Sandback residence.
After receiving Noelle’s call, Ryder immediately contacted his parents to inform them of her visit.
His youngest sister had always been cherished by their parents, so he expected them to be equally fond of her daughter.
He also notified his brother Waylon and his other sister Zayla Sandback, asking them to come to the Sandback residence if their schedules allowed.
Ryder had envisioned a warm family gathering to welcome Noelle and introduce her to her relatives, but things didn’t go quite as planned.
Noelle took a cab to the upscale villa district where the Sandback residence was located. Yes, she didn’t have a car.
When she had lived in the military district, transportation had always been arranged for her. Since arriving in Jamore, she had been occupied with work at the cybersecurity department and hadn’t needed one.
Now, she was seriously considering whether she should buy a car. Relying on cabs all the time was inconvenient.
As she was lost in thought, the cab pulled up outside the gated community. She was stopped at the entrance.
The area was vast, with only a handful of estates, each a separate mansion spaced far apart.
It was clear at a glance that only the extremely wealthy or powerful could afford to live here.
The security personnel at the gate were well-acquainted with the residents and their visitors. Normally, they were given a guest’s license plate number in advance.
This was the first time they had seen someone arrive by cab. Even the nearest residence was a thirty-minute walk from the entrance.
One of the guards approached politely and asked, “Miss, which residence are you visiting? Would you like us to confirm for you?”
Noelle shook her head and stood at the gate, deep in thought. She had arranged her visit with Ryder in advance, but no one had come to meet her.
Someone was clearly trying to make things difficult for her. The question was—who?
Just as she was debating whether to leave or call Ryder, a luxury car approached from behind. The automatic gates opened, indicating that it belonged to a resident.
As the car passed her, it suddenly came to a stop, and the window rolled down. A strikingly beautiful woman in the back seat stared at Noelle, hesitation in her eyes.
“Are you Zoey’s child?” she asked.
Noelle nodded slightly without speaking, quickly trying to recall who this person might be. She had studied the Sandback family records and didn’t remember seeing this woman’s name.
The woman’s face lit up with excitement. She stepped out of the car, circled Noelle twice as if in disbelief, then grabbed her hand.
“You’re Elle, right? You look just like your mother! Why are you standing outside? What’s wrong with the Sandback family? Why didn’t anyone come to pick you up?”
Listening to the woman’s rapid-fire questions, Noelle suddenly recalled someone and tentatively asked, “Ms. Caffyn?”
The woman, Queena Caffyn, lived in the same neighborhood as the Sandback family. When she heard that Zoey’s daughter was coming, she had rushed back just to see her. She hadn’t expected to run into Noelle at the gate.
“Yes, yes! That’s me! Do you remember me?”
Queena was five years older than Zoey. While Zoey had never been particularly close to her own sister, Zayla. Instead, she had followed Queena around like a shadow since childhood.
As an only child, Queena had treated Zoey like a real younger sister.
The two families had even joked about arranging a marriage if only one of them had been a boy.
As they grew older, Zoey left home to attend university, and Queena got married.
The communication between the two gradually dwindled. When Queena had heard about Zoey’s passing, she had been heartbroken for quite some time.
Though Noelle had never met the Sandback family members as a child, she had met Queena once, when she was four years old. She had an excellent memory and still remembered her.
Queena pulled Noelle into the car and instructed the driver to drive slowly while she bombarded her with conversation.
Though not talkative, Noelle listened patiently and responded when appropriate.
She could sense Queena’s genuine goodwill. Since this was her mother’s closest friend, she was willing to accept it.
A ten-minute drive stretched to nearly thirty minutes as they talked. When they were almost at the Sandback residence, Queena suddenly remembered to ask why Noelle had been left outside.
Noelle had no intention of hiding the situation and replied with a hint of amusement in her voice.
“Maybe someone doesn’t want me here.”
Queena’s fiery temper flared instantly.
“What nonsense! If the Sandback family doesn’t welcome you, then come home with me. We don’t need them!”
She immediately ordered the driver to turn around.
Since Zoey had left home, Queena had little contact with the Sandback family. Zoey was the only person she liked in the Sandback family.
She had never liked any of them—the hypocrite Ryder, the fool Waylon, and Zayla, who lacked sense. She hadn’t met Xavier, so she had no opinion on him.
In her eyes, the only normal person in that family had been Zoey—practically a genetic anomaly.
Queena had only heard of Noelle’s return through her family’s household staff. The maids in their neighborhood often shared information among themselves.
Queena had never changed her straightforward and temperamental personality, even after getting married. Her husband indulged her, allowing her to remain as fiery as ever.
Knowing that Queena genuinely cared, Noelle chuckled.
“Ms. Caffyn, don’t worry. I have to visit the Sandback residence. They can’t bully me.”
Queena studied Noelle, recognizing her strong will but still feeling uneasy. She wanted to accompany her to make sure she wasn’t mistreated.
Noelle declined Queena’s offer and asked the driver to drop her off at a distance from the Sandback residence.
She promised to visit Queena afterward, making it clear that she had no intention of staying at the Sandback residence.
Queena understood immediately. Noelle was a perceptive person, and that reassured her.
Noelle clearly didn’t want the Sandback family to know she had met Queena as it would only complicate things.
Recalling that Noelle planned to enroll at Jamore University, Queena got an idea. After parting ways, she didn’t return home. Instead, she had her driver turn the car around and leave the neighborhood.
Zoey’s daughter had a sharp mind, and Queena liked her. She needed to find Noelle a solid backing. She couldn’t allow her to be bullied in Jamore.
While Queena could protect Noelle herself, she couldn’t always be around. She needed someone whose reputation alone would make people think twice before crossing her. Her son was well-known and respected. He’d be perfect.
Queena grinned to herself, entirely unconcerned about whether her son would agree to this arrangement.
