The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 23

The four Schnabel brothers widened their eyes.

Elara, you’re totally cheating here!

Ulrich flashed a meaningful smile, his eyes shimmering with ripples like a serene autumn pond, as his gaze landed on the hairpin atop Noella’s head.

On the hairpin he had carved himself, he had also stealthily inscribed: “I love you!”

The butler hurried forward, “Mr. Schnabel, Palmer has sent over two gifts.”

Tristan scratched his head. “Two gifts? Should be one for the elders and one for Noella, right? After all, Noella and him are still engaged. The kid sure knows how to curry favor!”

Sienna looked puzzled. “But Palmer doesn’t know Noella’s back home, so how come he’s sending her a gift?*

The butler explained, “One’s for you, Mr. and Mrs. Schnabel, and one for Ulrich, as a thank–you for saving Sexton Pollack.”

“When did I save Sexton?”

Noella knew full well that the gift from the Pollack family was meant for her but they mistook Ulrich for her.

She discreetly tugged Ulrich’s hand and whispered, “Ulrich, just take it.”

Ulrich’s heart nearly melted when a soft little hand gripped his suddenly!

Thinking it over, since Noella had been at the hospital lately, she might know the scoop. Tossing all rational thought aside, Ulrich, with a genteel smile, played along. “That was me. I helped Sexton with a prescription before. Mr. Pollack is too kind.”

Sienna playfully scolded, “You didn’t even give us a heads–up. You almost had me thinking Mr. Pollack got the wrong person. We’ve invited Mr. Pollack to Noella’s birthday party; they can meet the kids then!”

Noella was confused. What’s that got to do with me? Engagement? When?”

Seeing how the Schnabels were all hyped up, Noella didn’t have the heart to burst their bubble.

Imperial West Hospital, patient room

Yvonne, holding a nourishing tonic soup, took her sweet time fixing up her look outside Sexton’s

room.

“Palmy, this is the soup I made for…”

Inside, Palmer was locked in a standoff with Sexton over taking his medicine.

Chapter 23

“I’m not taking It! There’s nothing wrong with me, and it was the wrong meds last time that made me sick! They are all bad stuff, out to get mel”

Palmer was helpless.

with last time, but now It’s Sexton’s excuse

production line just for you, and I personally

I won’t take it!”

promptly stepped forward, her hat adorned with a massive cluster of artificial flowers screaming for attention, and her skirt supported by a huge crinoline that required her to sidle through

a bit upset.

with Ms.

trip! And it was

blue–blooded young lady, how could her taste

a clean, neat look. Yvonne’s getup was like

no–go zone.

as a top–notch assistant, suggested, “Ms. Schnabel, would you mind changing into something more

who stood a

Who’s this chick?

to criticize my careful selection for

random chick? Worthy of standing next to Palmer? Once we’re married,

how can

fiancée, the future lady of the

Annie was flabbergasted!

married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the entire Pollack Group into a female

and saw a colorful blob standing

12:22

“And you are?”

quickly shoved Annie aside, fawning over him. “Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne from the Schnabel family. I specially brewed this

felt his own eyes drying out looking at her glistening lids. “Yvonne? Never heard of a Schnabel granddaughter by that

didn’t

devoid of any

claims she saved you last

“What? No, no, no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had better taste. It was definitely not this

her

know how to take care of your grandfather, so let me stay and look after him, and it

as a natural–born Satan,

my grandfather again. You and

could he be so heartless to her!

I’m your fiancée…”

and dark, “A mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family dares to call herself my fiancée? Since

How in the world did Palmer

Palmer, and I’m the one who’s meant to be your wife. Marry me

dismissively and instantly, a bodyguard stepped up. scooped up Yvonne in a sideways hold because of her outrageous hat and dress, and chucked her out!

some

much quieter, and a real whiz at chess too. What was

since his surgery. He was probably talking about Elara, the national youth chess champion from a