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.

allowed Sexton’s meds to be tampered with last time, but now It’s Sexton’s excuse for

line just for you, and

and I won’t take

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

was a bit upset.

with Ms.

was like a psychedelic trip! And it was a

how could her taste

look. Yvonne’s getup

no–go zone.

assistant, suggested, “Ms. Schnabel, would you mind changing into something more appropriate? Your outfit isn’t quite fitting for a lady of your

who stood a head taller in a professional

Who’s this chick?

she to criticize my careful selection for

Worthy of standing next to Palmer?

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

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

Annie was flabbergasted!

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

Yvonne and saw

12:22

“And you are?”

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

eyes drying out looking at her glistening lids. “Yvonne?

Sexton didn’t

was icy, devoid of any

claims she saved

no, no, definitely not her. The one who saved

as her lie was exposed.

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 could stay here too.”

aura as formidable as a natural–born Satan, cold and heartless.

out, and don’t you ever come back to see my grandfather

pale with shock. How could

I’m your fiancée…”

dark, “A mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel

the world did Palmer

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

irritated, 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

some peace and

chick 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 can’t

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