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

batch was made on a dedicated production line just for

won’t listen, and I won’t take

massive cluster of artificial 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 that nearly poked

was a bit

Ms.

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

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

preferred a clean, neat look. Yvonne’s getup was like jumping into Palmer’s

no–go zone.

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

chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head

Who’s this chick?

to criticize my careful selection

Annie’s supermodel–like face and figure, scoffing. “And who are you, some random chick? Worthy of standing next to Palmer? Once we’re married, I’ll have him fire all

a woman too, so how can

Palmer’s fiancée, the future

Annie was flabbergasted!

she actually married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the

at Yvonne and saw a colorful blob standing

12:22

“And you are?”

I’m Yvonne from

lids. “Yvonne? Never heard of a Schnabel

Sexton didn’t recognize her.

was icy, devoid of any

claims she saved you last

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

as her lie was exposed.

mean to lie. I really am Professor Calvin’s student, and I know how to take care of your grandfather, so let me stay and look after him, and it would be even better if you

aura as formidable as

come back to see my grandfather again. You and I have nothing

pale with shock. How could

your fiancée…”

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

world did Palmer get wind

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

a bodyguard stepped up. scooped up Yvonne in a sideways hold because of

could enjoy some peace and

last one was so much quieter, and a real whiz at chess too.

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