The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 9

“Do you not like it? How about trying something else?”

With a nonchalant air, Noella said, “I’m not a fan of seasonings: I can’t stand onions, ginger, or

garlic.”

It was just a minor issue, and she didn’t sweat it. After all, in the Lambert family, Belinda never cared about what she liked to eat. Instead, she would force Noella to eat stuff she hated just to flex her control freak muscles.

The soup bowl in her hand was swiftly taken by Sienna, who then turned to the nanny and instructed. “From now on, absolutely no onions, ginger, or garlic in any of our dishes!”

The nanny was speechless.

Yvonne’s favorite dishes contained onions and gingers!

However, she didn’t dare speak up, just shot a glare at Noella, who had been throwing her weight around since she came home, almost grinding her teeth.

Noella blinked, surprised by Sienna’s command. “It’s fine, really.”

Sienna was unfazed and, taking Noella’s hand, advised, “Noella, when you’ve got a sec, jot down what you like and dislike. What you like to eat, me and your dad will like, and what you don’t is a no–show in our house!”

Tristan nodded in agreement. “Yeah, look how skinny you are; the Lamberts definitely didn’t feed you any good grub.”

To the Schnabel parents, the Lambert family had practically become Noella’s tormentors. Her clothes were nothing to write home about, no brand names and her suitcase was tiny, with no

other luggage in sight!

Talk about pinching pennies!

Sienna hesitated before spilling the beans, “Sweetie, you’ve got four brothers and one sister at home. We figured out a few years back that you and Elara were switched at birth. It took us years to find you. Your dad and I, it wasn’t on purpose, we…”

Noella nodded.

Nobody intentionally swaps kids.

“As for Elara, she’s innocent. We’ve raised her for years, and she’s not looking to compete with you. So, until she finds her own family, we hope she can stay with us. Don’t worry, she’s usually out at Emerald County doing research.”

“The one who called me, that was her?” She remembered Vincent mentioning a rooster crowing on the phone.

“Yup, Elara found you and called you. These past two years, we’ve been digging into what

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Chapter 9

a few days older than you. Your dad and I are still trying to find Elara’s real family.”

Schnabet parents simply hoped Elara Schnabel could remain part of the

Schnabel folks wanted to

“I got it.”

breathed a sigh

Schnabel household. Elara had been with them for years, and even when they stumbled upon the truth years ago, they couldn’t bear to send her away!

surely like Elara

remained

under her breath, “And there’s also Ms.

Schnabel noticeably dampened the parents‘ enthusiasm

and said indifferently. “As for Yvonne, she’s an orphan adopted by your grandma, not

nanny looked a bit miffed but kept her gaze on Noella. She had finally managed to get Elara to stay away for research, leaving Yvonne as the only daughter at home. Mr. Schnabel and his wife were bound to grow fond

in town, everything that was

look but didn’t give

“Why adopt?”

Yvonne, the Schnabel couple’s attitude was lukewarm at

to keep her company. After she got out of the hospital, she adopted Yvonne, who’s been keeping grandma company ever since. Your

acknowledged with a nod, slightly bowing her

his hands. “Noella, wanna check out your room?”

hopeful gaze of the Schnabel

They went upstairs.

exams next month. Got any schools

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Chapter 9

We can study abroad! Which

acceptance letters from Aqua Vine College and Northlight University last month and was still weighing

Lambert couple was clueless about these developments. Ever since Belinda stopped Noella from studying properly to provoke Briony,

it out

from Northlight’s gifted youth program and is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the Harmonia Country Science Research Institute.

a genius in the science area. No wonder the Schnabel

can ask me too! I’m a Aqua

“You only got into Aqua Vine College because your old

at a loss for words. He chuckled awkwardly and pushed open the

out in minimalist style, but every

loaded with priceless antiques, a walk–in wardrobe bigger than the Lambert family’s master bedroom, a bathroom floor one could see one’s reflection in, plus

his arm grandly. “This whole floor is yours, Noella.

three 3000