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.

indeed his oversight that allowed Sexton’s meds to be tampered with last time, but now It’s Sexton’s excuse for not

just for you, and I personally

listen, and I won’t take

flowers screaming for attention, and her skirt supported by a huge crinoline that required her to sidle through the door, with an umbrella in hand

was a bit

with Ms.

sense was like a psychedelic trip! And it was a hospital,

fellow blue–blooded young lady, how could

look. Yvonne’s getup was like jumping into

no–go zone.

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

chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head taller in a professional

Who’s this chick?

she to criticize my careful

Worthy of standing next to Palmer? Once we’re married, I’ll have him fire all the

you’re a woman too, so how can you endorse such workplace gender

you lowlifes, I am Palmer’s fiancée, the future lady of

Annie was flabbergasted!

like this, what if she actually married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the entire Pollack

Yvonne and saw a colorful blob

12:22

“And you are?”

I’m Yvonne

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

Sexton didn’t

icy, devoid of any

she claims she saved you last

disbelief. “What? No, no, no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had

as her

care of your grandfather, so let me stay and look

formidable as a natural–born

out, and don’t you ever come back to see my grandfather again. You and I have nothing to do with each other.”

could

your

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

How in the world did Palmer get wind of that?

meant

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

Sexton could enjoy some peace and

yapping away non–stop. The last one was so much quieter, and a

was probably talking about Elara, the national youth chess champion from a few years