The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 14

The auctioneer was all chuckles as he wielded the tiny gavel.

“Up next, an open piece of Intel: Cerulean Whale’s launching a crackdown on Obelisk Organization and Abyssal Organization, and they’re stirring the pot in Imperial City.

Starting bid: three million dollars.

Sure, the headline was on the house, but if they wanted the nitty–gritty, they got to bid.

Noella couldn’t care less about Cerulean Whale gunning for her crew. Bring it on, who’s eating who was still up in the air.

She had been knee–deep in the gem gambling biz for the past couple of years, letting her hitman outfit grow like wildfire, and without much fuss, it became one of the deep web’s big three.

What piqued her interest was Cerulean Whale’s shenanigans in Imperial City, and if she wasn’t barking up the wrong tree, it likely involved Marcel.

She had to snag this info!

Cerulean Whale attacked Marcel right under her nose, could she even show her face around?

Noella raised her paddle. “Three million and ten grand, name’s Wise Fool.”

The crowd was like, “Say what now?”

Three million and ten grand was chump change, but that moniker made everyone else put their paddles down!

Even the auctioneer was speechless.

They were hoping to rake in tens of millions for this juicy tidbit, but with Wise Fool in the house, who would dare to bid against her?

In VIP Room No. 9, Palmer was taken aback, setting his paddle aside,as well.

Looked like it was her he was up against earlier. Since she was interested in that last piece of intel, his three million wasn’t spent in vain.

With that thought, Palmer leaned back, a sly grin spreading across his face.

He had scoured every nook and cranny of the Radi Building for Noella to no avail. Wise Fool wasn’t one to be easily tracked down.

With Wise Fool throwing her hat in the ring, the room went quiet as a mouse, letting her walk away with the news.

“Congrats to Wise Fool. Sold for three million and ten grand!”

The auctioneer was grinning from ear to ear. “Up next, a little freebie for y’all: Gemstone

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Chapter 14

Gambling King is teaming up with some families for a public gem gamble next month. Don’t

miss out.”

Noella was confused.

wrapped in a mystery,

appearance? News to her.

over to the message center, swiped her

General Marcel again tomorrow, the price

beat–up Volkswagen was about as low–profile as it gets, clearly showing its

spotted Palmer by the car as

refined and handsome face all lit up with a welcoming ease.

and quipped, “What, you moonlighting

gaze. Those eyes of his were something else,

glanced at his ride, recalling the info she had just dug up about the villages near Heartfelt

So poor that folks either got tangled in scams or dabbled in

the cutthroat underworld of the deep web.

if I give

ride’s a ride, and it would be a nice gesture to support Palmer’s “side hustle“, Noella

for you, in case you fancy joining Abyssal

know

would give welcome gifts after they had already met a few times?

with the intel. “Take

asked, “You were in VIP Room No. 9? Why drop all that cash on this? How many Ubers do you

mistaken for an Uber driver was new. Palmer felt a mixed bag of emotions, hinting, “I’ve got

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Chapter 14

guy was the head honcho of Abyssal Organization. He could make a killing with just one job

me? What if

it makes you happy, that’s its true value.

much cash just to cheer

hands holding the box heat

always splurge like this on

the first. I never gave gifts to ladies, except for my mom, back when she was around. She

quickly apologized,

So, does my gift make you happy?”

Noella was dumbstruck.

asks that kind

wasn’t she this speechless when she got presents from the Schnabel

the concept of subtlety? Did they have to

knew they were straight shooters, always fearing they might not get another chance

the oddly exhilarating flutter

“Yeah, happy.”

Noella, feeling her face heat up, quickly

getting hot in

before opening her message box right

director of Heartfelt Orphanage are the same person who had dealings with Vincent, a merchant from Tranquility

he get mixed