The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 24

The little black car smoothly rolled out of the Imperial West Hospital grounds.

“That gal you just saw? She’s not my girlfriend.”

Noella didn’t respond.

“She’s my secretary.”

Noella was like, what’s the deal with her?

Running the show as one of the big three on the deep web, it’s no surprise Palmer’s got a few secretaries, especially when that secretary looked like she could seriously kick some butt probably a real whiz at her job.

“Not bad.” said Noella.

Palmer went on to clarify, “You can’t replace the standout abilities and shining moments that women bring to the table at work, so yeah, I’ve got a good number of ladies on my team.”

Noella nodded in agreement. “Totally get you. My big bro’s company is chock–full of women too. He always says no one falls for the boss just because of the job at hand; integrity and skills trump gender every time.”

Palmer chuckled, “Your brother and I are on the same page.”

“Guys can fall for their boss just as easily. It’s got nothing to do with gender.”

That’s not exactly what Palmer meant!

Palmer touched his nose, trying to mask the stiffness around his lips.

“You’ve heard about Thorpe entering the country, right?”

“Yeah, Thorpe’s probably here to touch base with Toxic Monarch.”

Thorpe, the big cheese of the Cerulean Whale Organization, cozying up with Toxic Monarch in Harmonia Country’s Imperial City – that’s quite a meet–up!

“What’s your take?” asked Palmer.

Noella shot him a look and said coolly, “Toxic Monarch’s after the Harmonia market, and Thorpe’s gunning for us. They’re just teaming up for a quick minute.”

Being both seasoned foxes in the deep web game, Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s combined craftiness could run circles around the planet, with not less than eight or ten sly tails trailing behind them.

When Palmer heard her say “us,” the corners of his mouth curled up ever so slightly, a wave of indescribable joy sweet as honey flooding his heart.

Noella, catching the smile on Palmer’s face, was a bit speechless.

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12:22

missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them

Hospital was pretty decent too; might be

Group, the CEO’s

desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his chiseled features exuding a warm elegance, every

business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s

“Let’s hear it.”

often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the whole year, nearly had

darling of the Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand

contain the rage bubbling inside and

Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they kicked Noella to the curb. When the old Mr. Schnabel sent folks to

were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly backwater, never

shaking in his

a rotten

pen in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in

okay if they were just nice to my

composure and refinement; his assistant had never seen

you at the bar tonight for a business

lips curving into a scornful smirk.

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12:22

Tobin I’ll be

“Got it.”

At the bar.

in all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of

dance floor was packed. No sooner had Noella stepped in than she felt a

close, his towering frame casting a

with

with Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively stepped

pressed against his shirt, she noticed he seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle,

man, Noella held her breath, about to step

close to her ear, his voice low

as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there was Thorpe, knocking

back, Noella had crossed paths with Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar

to any

over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking around here.” Noella

she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just a

little hard

we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch and

talk about an unnecessary cover–up!

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