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

for you, and I personally oversaw

I won’t take it!”

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

a bit upset.

Ms.

was like a psychedelic trip! And it was a hospital, not a

fellow blue–blooded young lady, how could her taste be so… backwoods?

look. Yvonne’s

no–go zone.

composure as a top–notch assistant, suggested, “Ms. Schnabel, would you mind changing into something more appropriate? Your outfit isn’t quite fitting for a

lifted her chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head taller

Who’s this chick?

to criticize my careful selection

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

a woman too, so how

am Palmer’s fiancée, the

Annie was flabbergasted!

like this, what if she actually married Mr. Pollack?

saw a

12:22

“And you are?”

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

at her glistening lids. “Yvonne? Never

Sexton didn’t

gaze was icy, devoid

claims she saved you

no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had better taste. It was definitely not this peacock…”

panicked as her lie was

your grandfather, so let me stay and look after him, and

his aura as formidable as a natural–born

and don’t you ever come back to see my grandfather again. You and I have

shock. How could he be so heartless to

I’m your fiancée…”

of disdain, his eyes deep and dark, “A mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family

How in the world did Palmer get wind of

truly love you, Palmer, and I’m the one who’s meant to be your wife. Marry me and you’ll see I’m

up. scooped up Yvonne in a sideways hold because

Sexton could enjoy some

and a real whiz at chess

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