The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 11

“The Schnabel family is steeped in culture and high society. Where did this wild and unruly girl come from, daring to butt in even on my own sister? Just looking at her brings bad vibes.”

Stirling, with a flourish, served Noella a bowl of soup using the fancy gold–plated serving spoon. rolling his beautiful eyes in the process.

“Seriously, who knows who’s fresh off the turnip truck, being spoon–fed by Mother Nature herself. With your bumpkin vibes, you could go back to the countryside and get straight onto farming.”

Yvonne was at a loss for words. Her hands, clad in lace–trimmed white gloves, tightened around the hem of her dress, her facial expression contorting.

“Stirling. Jasper, I’m just looking out for Noella. Why are you being like this? I’m part of the Schnabel family, too. I just want us to be a harmonious and beautiful family. Grandma was worried about Noella not knowing the ropes and sent me here on purpose.”

When Ashlyn was mentioned, everyone held their tongues.

Yvonne was an outsider, but Ashlyn was, after all, their elder.

The Schnabel family was all about strict upbringing; elders were to be respected.

Tristan waved his hand impatiently. “Noella’s got her head on straight; she’s awesome. The whole family adores her. Just head back, will you? Don’t disrupt our family dinner.”

Yvonne’s eyes bulged in disbelief. She had deliberately stood at the entrance for half an hour. timing her entrance with dinner, just to show off her impeccable table manners compared to country–bumpkin Noella.

That way, the Schnabels would see that she was the perfect fit for the family.

Why do they still side with Noella, knowing full well she was rough around the edges?

Was this all about blood? So what if she didn’t have it?

Yvonne, her face burning with shame, stormed out.

Ulrich, with his golden hands, peeled a plate of crab meat for Noella and passed it over with a beaming smile. “Give it a try.”

The crab meat was succulent, the roe rich and flavorful.

“Delicious,” said Noella.

Tristan smiled. “Honey, just tell us whatever you like. As Jasper said, from now on, you will set the rules in this house. Mom and Dad will listen to you.”

Sienna said lovingly, “Don’t take Yvonne’s words to heart. She’s no relation to our family. She bears the Schnabel surname because your grandma does. You’re the only daughter of our

household.”

Noella nodded, feeling the warmth of the Schnabels‘ protection–something she had never experienced in eighteen years with the Lambert family.

“Thanks, Mom, Dad, and brothers. I’ll remember that.”

Yvonne left in a huff, not a single tear on her face.

Hunger pangs gnawing at her stomach, she wandered through the vast Schnabel garden. nearly getting lost.

flowers. Yvonne asked curiously, “What’s going

flowers in this courtyard and plant roses for her. Oh, and the lilies over there. are to be removed too. Mr. Tristan bought some red maple trees from Kanada, and we’re planting

was stunned. Those lilies were

everything be snatched away just because

with envy, Yvonne scurried off to call Elara.

There’s trouble. Mom, Dad, and the bros have lost

replied indifferently,

“Elara,

data, retorted, “As if you can find something out with your brains. Go work off some of that extra energy by exercising;

Yvonne’s face twisted

her since childhood, nothing but a bookworm!

her feet, Yvonne dashed off toward

Heartfelt

and had no time to get her driver’s license.

she could drive, she didn’t want to worry the Schnabels, so she took a cab to

surrounded by a private estate with a vast rose garden and

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Chapter 11

sea

Her instincts had her

“Damn that Vocalist, stealing our

to Harmonia Country? If we’d known he was here, we’d never

If he spots us, we’re goners,

their feet, but not quicker than Vocalist’s

across the sky, and

the sunlight catching his handsome features. He was dressed

again,

at Palmer, her brow furrowing slightly. “You

live nearby. Saw some commotion and thought I’d kill some time.”

at a loss for

hitmen were those desperate to make a buck with their lives on the line. Vocalist must be one of the local poor folk.

“The target?”

learned. “The director of Heartfelt Orphanage. Client unknown, order taken by the Cerulean

turned on her heel and strode into the orphanage. In the orphanage, the

her. “What are you digging into?

old memories. I used to

flicker of pity flashed

Noella’s combat skills through the roof, even if he went toe–to–toe with her, Palmer couldn’t guarantee walking away unscathed. Those moves didn’t seem like

she was an orphan?

find the files she needed

up and cleared the place out in advance. Swear, when I

was already a ghost

around, surprised at