The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 33

At the Lambert ancestral home in Linefort City.

Jasper’s hired muscle flew in by chopper and, while still several feet from the ground, yanked Vincent out and dumped him right at the doorstep of the Lambert ancestral horne,

Vincent, well into his fifties, nearly broke every bone in his old body!

“Dammit… Do you even know the law? This is assault, pure and simple!”

The bodyguard, sporting dark shades, Just gave a lopsided grin and sneered. “Our boss said we’re doing you a solid, dropping you home. You know exactly how you treated Ms. Noella–don’t play innocent!”

Vincent was speechless.

This was completely different!

Noella was just a heartless country bumpkin while he was the high and mighty CEO of the Lambert family!

After making the delivery, the bodyguard hopped back on the chopper and took off.

Blown around by the helicopter’s downdraft, Vincent’s hair was a mess, his suit was wrinkled, and his face was caked with dust and dirt, making him look like a beggar.

The actual beggars at the Lambert ancestral home’s gate nearly mistook him for one of their

own.

Vincent was fuming. He whipped out his phone to call the cops, but, of course, there was no signal!

Maddox, who was in charge of guarding the old homestead, spotted Vincent and hurried over to greet him.

“Mr. Lambert, why didn’t you give us a heads–up? Here to donate?”

Vincent was speechless again.

He was too proud to come back home without fanfare, always making a big show of donating like 30 to 50 grand, turning it into a spectacle the whole village knew about.

Vincent changed the subject. “How come there’s not even a proper road in this place?”

“Ah, Mr. Lambert, you’re here to fund road construction? That’s fantastic! I’ll go tell the mayor right now!”

Vincent quickly grabbed him.

“No, no, get me out of here first. My phone’s got no signal; I can’t make any donations to the village!”

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“What? Mr. Lambert, you’re also gonna build us a cell tower? That’s amazing!”

that Maddox! Playing dumb because of his selective hearing!

want to shell out cash for these yokels.

a big deal to negotiate. Get me out

ear to ear. “Sure do.

kind of vehicle

get the “vehicle,” Vincent looked up at the Lambert

of himself in Tranquility City, to become a known and respected tycoon.

at it, the house

materials, even planted Old Mrs. Lambert’s favorite osmanthus tree by the door–a mature tree of this variety could easily fetch

would he spend money on fixing up this rundown place?

for Briony,

Vincent thought about it, the more it

an amazing

be underestimated, given its

she had always been close to Milford, unlike Noella, who was

need to talk about Briony’s engagement with the Rosenbergs–can’t let a catch like that get

was shattered when Maddox showed

actual ox

had seen better days, stopping

this is the only ox cart we’ve got. Hop on, and we’ll make it to town by dawn!”

was trembling. “There’s transportation in

and you’ll be

Vincent remembered.

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Chapter 33

such a hassle to leave! Linefort City had

construction, he thought it wasn’t worth it since he couldn’t brag about it, so he donated to Tranquility City’s overpass instead, barely making it onto the donor

cheerfully. “Mr. Lambert, come on up. Once it gets light, the

his breath, Vincent pinched his nose and climbed atop the ox cart, dodging cow dung

a beggar, “Take Mr. Lambert to town.”

violently that Vincent’s sandwich

as he watched Vincent’s retreating figure. He pulled out a smartphone equipped with satellite GPS and dialed

Noella, got everything Mr. Lambert said about donating for roads and a cell tower on video. Sending it your way now!”

“Appreciate it.”

wrinkled face split into a grin.

If it weren’t for your help, our village would’ve been toast a long time ago, not to mention the

It’s the least

the video Maddox sent her

Mrs. Lambert had weathered her whole life. Noella would guard it with

at Tranquility City Police Station.

swung open the slammer door and let the Lambert

scruffy beard and looking all kinds of wiped,

was gobsmacked at the sight

you’ve been through the wringer more than I did, and

tears! He hustled back from Linefort City, burning rubber to pull