The Killer Queen

Tristan has no idea how vast Marcel’s connections were!

Yvonne’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw that mountain of gifts worth at king’s ransom!

A ghostly voice whispered in Yvonne’s ear.

“Yvonne, where do you think you’re going?”

“Ah! Elara, you scared the bejeezus out of me!”

Elara was so close to Yvonne’s ear when she spoke that Yvonne practically jumped out of her skin!

“Cut the act. You’re the one who leaked that video, right? You showed it to me before. Don’t you dare say someone swiped your phone and played it at Noella’s birthday party on purpose!”

Yvonne was crying up a storm, all choked up. “I was just looking out for Noella! What if she’s got a crush on someone and doesn’t want to marry Mr. Pollack? I can’t bear to see her unhappy! Elara, how could you think I did it on purpose?”

Elara frowned at Yvonne, making her squirm with guilt.

“Elara, Grandma’s in the hospital with no one to look after her. I’m heading there now, so can we talk about this when I get back, please?”

“Go ahead.

Elara watched Yvonne beat a hasty retreat, her eyes scrutinizing her every move.

Something about Yvonne just didn’t sit right with her.

After the party, Tristan turned to Palmer. “Didn’t you say you had something to discuss with

us?”

The four Schnabel sons were on high alert, ready to bounce Palmer if he even hinted at stealing their sister away.

“It’s my granddad; he’s hoping Noella would come to see him. And someone from the Schnabel family bought some trending searches that were harmful to both our families. I’ve dealt with it. but you still have the right to know.”

Tristan tensed up. “What trending searches?”

Annie handed over a phone, respectfully saying, “Mr. Schnabel, it was Miss Yvonne who bought the searches, claiming she’s the only daughter of the Schnabel family.”

“Shoot, how could I forget about that Yvonne girl?” Tristan looked around but couldn’t spot Yvonne anywhere. “What was she thinking, buying that kind of trending search? Thank

12:14.

goodness Mr. Pollack caught it in time, otherwise our families‘ reputations would’ve been trashed. I disown her; she’s at best a granddaughter my mother took in.”

Tristan apologized. “The old lady’s not well, and her mind gets muddled. As for your grandfather wanting to see Noella, that’s easy. Noella visits her grandpa every day, so she can drop by to see your grandfather too.”

Noella had already agreed to help Palmer’s grandfather and wouldn’t back out now just because she finds out he’s not really a broke Uber driver.

“Okay, I’ll go tomorrow.”

“I’ll pick you up: I live next door, so we’re neighbors now.”

If Beckett had known Palmer also bought a place in Serene Haven, he never would’ve bought a house for Noella there. He should’ve bought Noella a castle! He didn’t believe Palmer could be neighbors with Noella if he’d bought her a castle!

The Lambert Mansion, Tranquility City.

Briony clutched her phone, green with envy as she watched Ms. Schnabel’s birthday party. being livestreamed worldwide! Any old wine glass there would cover her living expenses for a

month.

And just when Ms. Schnabel made her entrance, the stream froze, leaving Briony unable to catch a glimpse of her face.

“Why can’t all this be mine…”

The stream came back, and Briony, eagle–eyed, spotted someone in the corner of the frame holding hands with an old man. That had to be Noella!

“Mom, isn’t that Noella? What’s she doing at the Schnabel family’s party?”

Belinda sneered at the screen.

“That old man looks like he’s pushing eighty. Noella, using her youth to snag an old geezer… She’ll get her legs broken once his family finds out!”

Briony felt it was bad luck and quickly turned off the live stream.

She snuck into Vincent’s study, swiped a few documents, and hopped a cab to the Rosenberg family.

In the Schnabel brothers‘ study, the four of them plus Elara looked dead serious.

Beckett said, “I think Palmer’s genuinely smitten with Noella.”

Ulrich said, “So what? Noella just got home, and I won’t allow her to marry off so soon! Not before she’s at least thirty!”

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Elara was calmer. “Thirty? Forget Noella, Mom and Dad and Grandpa would kill you.”

Stirling said, “Thinking he can marry our little sister that easily? No chance!”

Jasper added, “I’m gonna dig up any legal loopholes in the Pollack Group, see if they’ve got any dirty laundry. Can’t have Noella marrying into trouble!”

They all exchanged meaningful looks, the seriousness clear in their eyes.

The thought of their sister getting married soon had them all up in arms!

Elara suddenly said, “What if–and I just mean what if–Noella likes him?”

Beckett adjusted his glasses, all business. “Whether Noella likes him or not, we gotta vet this guy. We can’t let Noella get swindled!”

Noella was pure and innocent, a total newbie to the world. They had to be the ones to protect her!

Meanwhile, in Noella’s room.

She stared at her phone, bombarded with messages all from Palmer. She was just getting the usual barrage of texts from him asking where she was, if she needed a lift, how her day was. and if she had any new missions or whatever.

After the party wrapped up, he kept blowing up her phone like there was no tomorrow.

Noella, without skipping a beat, chucked him straight into her block list and turned her attention. to replying to her mentors. All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

[I got the gift from you. Thank you so much.]

Hector replied.

[Kiddo, I’ll be swinging by Imperial City next month to check in on you. Heard the Gemstone Gambling King is headed that way too. You caught wind of that, right?]

[Yeah, I’ll pick you up then.]

[Great, see you then.]

Both the former and current Gemstone Gambling Kings were in the chat–how many of them were actually going to show up in Imperial City to try their luck with the stones?

Seems like Master Hector was also looking to throw down a challenge.

Noella’s pretty psyched to see for herself who this gutsy Gemstone Gambling King was that had been raising hell in the black market.

Next door in the neighboring villa, Palmer’s glued to his phone.

[Lunaris is heading to the hospital.]

He shoots back a [Got it] and the message didn’t get through.

12:14

Clear as day, Noella blocked him! Looks like she’s ticked off about his true identity!

Noella seemed all warm and fuzzy, but she had got a fiery streak and some serious grit–otherwise, she wouldn’t be running a rival assassin crew.

Palmer was feeling anxious, itching to dash over and clear the air, but his manners and. upbringing had him holding back.

Tomorrow, he’s gotta set things straight!

Bright and early the next day, Palmer had all decked out in a sharp dark brown suit, knocking on the doors of Schnabel Manor.

Tristan could tell Palmer had got Noella high on his priority list, showing up at the crack of dawn like this!

“Mr. Pollack, this early? Come on in and join us for breakfast!”

The Schnabels were all gathered for the morning meal.

Noella was cradling a bowl of porridge, still bleary–eyed and barely awake–showing a side of her Palmer’s never seen before.

Who knew her just–out–of–bed look could be so darn cute?

Sienna called out, “Have a seat next to Noella. Not sure what you fancy, but give us a heads–up next time, and we will whip up something you like!”

“Thank you. I’m good with whatever Noella’s having. Whatever she digs, I dig.”

Noella was speechless.

Jasper, not too thrilled, said, “Mr. Pollack, we’re having a family meal, and you just rock up to mooch off us bright and early. Is that really cool?”

Sienna shot him a glare that could kill.

“Zip it. Mr. Pollack’s going to be family soon enough. There will be plenty of meals together!”

Palmer offers a refined smile. “Just call me Palmer, Mrs. Schnabel. It’s my job to take care of Noella.”

Sienna and Tristan couldn’t be more pleased with Palmer!

Look at that, the epitome of noble grace, knowing exactly how to act, and so protective of their daughter. They’ve hit the jackpot in the son–in–law department!