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

Chapter 1

some chicken…”

snorted with laughter.

a backwater! They even raise

poor, chickens are worth more than people. You can’t just

face was a picture of

stood up, asking coolly, “I’ll leave in a bit. Where’s my

grace and elegance that Briony could never mimic, no matter

nerve! What a

from five years ago. You must’ve lost it,

chimed in, dissing

only Ms. Noella would be so petty as to care about a

to head back to the boonies, where folks probably don’t

laptop

smirking all

a cool glance and whipped out her phone, pulling up a

into Noella’s room last night when everyone else was distracted and swiping her

showed Briony looking downright ferocious.

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

rigged her, own room with cameras! And caught her cursing out Old

if Noella was about to

of line. This is your home too. How could you set up cameras here? You know your dad’s got loads of trade secrets. If those got out…”

turned all kinds

your phone. I want to check if

was left speechless. She didn’t give

of Vincent, Noella wiped her phone

Chapter 1

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

was icy. “Give me my laptop, and I’ll leave.”

Briony dig

old piece of junk. Emerald County

couldn’t even boot up now, only a soon–to–be poor girl like Noella

glance. This laptop, a gift from Old Mrs. Lambert while she was still around, had been customized by Noella herself. It was precious, sure, but not indispensable.

these so–called family members? She could do without

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

Old Mrs. Lambert gone, the Lambert family meant squat to her.

towards the front door without a backward

regret.