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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missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining

West Hospital was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out

Glory Group, the CEO’s

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

by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time with the Lambert family.”

“Let’s hear it.”

it rough with the Lamberts. Her pocket money was capped at two hundred a month. often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the whole year, nearly had to fork out for

in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last year, mostly under–the–table cash from Belinda.”

contain the

Rosenberg family of Tranquility City. But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they kicked Noella to the curb. When the old Mr. Schnabel sent folks to get her, they faced

Noella got nabbed – all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were

was shaking

rotten

in Beckett’s grip snapped

It would’ve been okay if they were just nice to my sis, even if they were broke. But to

refinement; his assistant had never seen him

bar tonight for a business talk, and that Milford will be there too.”

thin lips curving into

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12:22

Mr. Tobin I’ll

“Got it.”

At the bar.

hole in all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music

Noella stepped in than she felt a

her close, his towering frame casting a protective shadow

with

flirts, faced with Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively stepped back.

a

man, Noella held her breath, about to step back when

Thorpe’s over there.” He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure, thick with a magnetic

followed Palmer’s nod towards a

Noella had crossed paths with Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar guy sharing his

to any onlooker

over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are

was taken aback – how did she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just a split second?

it a little hard for him to let go.

we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch and Thorpe from

like, talk about an

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