The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 12

Noella fanned herself with her palm, the roses blooming all over the manor, their scent rich and heady.

Palmer parked the car right under the Radi Building as Noella had said. “This the spot? I’m not too hot on the lay of the land around here.

Noella nodded. “Yeah, that’s the place. I’ll shoot you the cab fare.”

Palmer couldn’t help but chuckle, pulling out his phone and handing it over to Noella. “Let’s add friends on WhatsApp first, then you can Venmo me.”

After Noella added him and grabbed her backpack, she hopped out of the car.

Palmer watched her sprinting into the office building, even swiping an employee card to get through security.

Radi Building was chock–full of companies – was she one of the employees here?

Noella had a hunch and turned around to see Palmer still by the car, gazing her way.

Bathed in light, he was the picture of elegance and charm, not at all like a top–tier assassin who flirted with death on the daily.

Palmer waved at her, his face wearing a warm, genial smile, putting even Beckett to shame in the gentlemanly department.

Noella’s cheeks flushed, and she bolted for the elevator.

After she disappeared inside, Palmer whipped out his phone to call his secretary. “Radi Building could be one of my assets. Get me everything on all the companies and their employees here.” “Right away, Mr. Pollack. We’ll start the acquisition of Radi Building immediately.”

Noella made her way to the top floor and found a studio with no sign on the door.

Kitai’s face lit up with surprise when he saw her, “Boss, you’re here.”

Noella passed him the design draft. “Use display agents 3 and 5, a 30-70 mix then finish with number 8 for five minutes.”

“Got it! Boss, our new store is in the Rising Glory Mall. Wanna check it out?”

Rising Glory Mall was all about first–rate, blue–blood brands, a famous hotspot for luxury goods in Imperial City. If something was sold out everywhere else, you could probably snag it there.

Beckett’s face flashed in Noella’s mind; Rising Glory Mall was his turf, too.

“Nah, let’s pass. Give Rising Glory Group a 10% cut from our sales at the mall.”

Kitai’s jaw dropped – that was a hefty 10%!

Azure’s designs, even at 10%, was worth

boss of Rising Glory Group some kind of lifesaver from

do as I say.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

the Schnabel Mansion.

listening to Yvonne’s sob

But Mom, Dad, and the bros are all under her spell. They won’t listen to a word I say. Grandma, do we even have a

her wrinkly lids sagging with

think Noella’s got bad

If she felt Noella was bad news, Ashlyn

brothers to scold me, kicked me out without dinner, calling herself the only daughter of the Schnabel

only daughter? She’s got no place here if I don’t say so.”

mask of

through the Schnabel family gates than a posse of tall

Madam Ashlyn wants to

followed

She wasn’t a fan of Sienna, always sour–faced at

bench in the garden

on their heels and left, it was clear the garden bench wasn’t meant

didn’t mind. The Lamberts used to make her stand as punishment

13:10

stood in the garden, lost in thought about the

taken the

courtyard.

beads kept rolling, not even looking up. “You said she doesn’t know her place. and there you have it. I told her to sit but didn’t say she had to stand. Who’s she performing for? Makes it look like I’m

“You’re

An hour later.

still there, standing like a statue, not having moved an

in her mind, profiling the killers” perspectives and reconstructing the scene.

opened her eyes,

Whale not only saw her coming but had Palmer pegged, too. Those hitmen were just

Noella and said, “Ms. Noella, please go on

the grace of a flowing cloud, not showing the slightest sign of fatigue or soreness from standing

and then come back. I only recognize Yvonne and Elara as my granddaughters. Don’t think any Tom, Dick or

at Ashlyn and asked, “Excuse me, but do

She suddenly opened her eyes wide, so

dodged smoothly, and the beads shattered on the

until you do! Calling me having psychological issue the moment you open your mouth, I want to see how