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.

was indeed his oversight that allowed Sexton’s meds to be tampered with last time, but now It’s Sexton’s excuse

line just for you, and I personally oversaw

I

hat adorned with a massive cluster of artificial flowers screaming for attention, and her skirt supported by a

was a

with Ms.

trip! And it

young lady, how could her taste be

neat look. Yvonne’s

no–go zone.

mind changing into something

who stood a head taller

Who’s this chick?

she to criticize my careful selection for seeing

you, some random chick? Worthy

how can

I am Palmer’s fiancée, the future lady of the Pollack family!”

Annie was flabbergasted!

if she actually married Mr. Pollack?

and saw a colorful blob standing

12:22

“And you are?”

over him. “Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne from the Schnabel family. I specially

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

didn’t recognize her.

gaze was icy, devoid

claims she saved

who saved me was way prettier, had better taste. It was

as her lie was exposed.

care of your grandfather, so

frowned, his aura as formidable as a natural–born Satan, cold

come back to see my grandfather again. You and I have nothing to do with each other.”

pale with shock. How could he

I’m your fiancée…”

the Schnabel family dares to call herself my fiancée? Since when did

daughter! How in the world did Palmer get wind of

freaking out! “I truly love you, Palmer, and I’m the one who’s meant to be your wife. Marry me and you’ll see I’m the best choice!”

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

some

was annoying, yapping away non–stop. The last one was so much quieter, and a real whiz at chess too. What was her name? I

since his surgery. He was probably talking about Elara, the national youth