The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 1

On the second floor of the Lambert Mansion.

Briony Lambert, decked out in a plain white princess dress, whipped out her pocket mirror to admire her own lovely face.

She pinched her handkerchief, cocking a smug smile at Noella in front of her.

“Sis, there’s something I wanna lay on you…”

Just last month, when Belinda fell ill and needed a blood transfusion, both Noella and Briony were called over. And bam! Turns out Noella wasn’t the biological daughter of the Lamberts! A paternity test on the spot proved Briony was the real flesh and blood of the Lambert family!

Holding the paternity test report, Briony’s eyes were dancing with triumph. She grew up with Noella since they were knee–high.

Why should she remain relegated to the role of the nanny’s niece while Noella basked in the glory as the high and mighty Ms. Lambert?

Now, it was all hers for the taking!

Behind Briony, the Lambert folks were giving Noella heart–wrenching glances.

Spotting Noella’s gaze, Vincent Lambert brushed away a nonexistence tear.

“Noella, nobody anticipated that Briony was our own flesh and blood. We had plans for you to grow up here alongside her, but out of the blue, your folks decide to take you back. We’re gutted to see you go, but it’s only right to send you back. I can’t bear to separate you from your biological parents; it would be too cruel.”

Vincent was actually game for keeping Noella around, but Belinda argued that Briony had been overshadowed by Noella all her life, and living together would be unfair to her.

Just the thought of her darling daughter living like a servant under her own roof was enough to make Belinda’s heart bleed.

It’s all Noella’s fault!

As for Noella, their supposed daughter, the moment Vincent spread the word, calls from Emerald County flooded in, seeking a reunion. The thick accent on the other end of the line was as dense as molasses! Vincent could barely make heads or tails of what they were saying.

Emerald County, as the news reported, had an average annual income of less than a grand per resident last year. A place so broke that charity couldn’t even lift it up!

It turned out that Noella’s real parents were from Emerald County, and judging by the sound of it, they were farmers.

“Noella, even though your parents are farmers, don’t you worry. I heard chickens in the background when I was on the phone. So, at least if you’re hungry, you can chow down on

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some chicken…”

snorted with laughter.

a backwater! They even raise chickens!

get it. In places that poor, chickens are worth more than people. You can’t just eat

a picture

through their act and stood up, asking coolly, “I’ll leave in

elegance that Briony could never mimic, no matter how hard she tried.

What a show–off!

touch your laptop. It’s a clunker from five years ago. You must’ve lost it,

nannies behind chimed in, dissing

petty as to care about

Noella’s about to head back to the boonies, where folks probably don’t even

a laptop

smirking all over.

out

room last night when everyone else was distracted and swiping her

Briony looking

does she only care about you! I’m the real daughter of the

actually rigged her, own room

Noella was about to

could you set up cameras here? You know your dad’s got loads

turned all kinds of awkward.

your phone. I want to check if you’ve planted cameras anywhere

speechless. She didn’t give

Vincent, Noella wiped her phone clean, restoring

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feeling a bit sheepish, chuckled, “I’m not doubting you. Just playing it

icy. “Give me my laptop, and

dig up

old piece of junk. Emerald

a soon–to–be poor girl like Noella would treasure it.

from Old Mrs. Lambert while she was still around, had been customized by

laptop, and these so–called family members? She could do without them. It’s just that

favored Briony, top to bottom, except for Old Mrs. Lambert who loved. her from the start, giving her a warmth she’d always

Mrs. Lambert gone, the Lambert family meant squat

the front door without a backward glance

regret.