The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 40

Word was out that the Schnabel family’s daughter was throwing a birthday bash, and the whole upper–crust circle was buzzing about it!

Briony got wind of it, too, and looking at the extravaganza posted by some social media influencers on her phone, she was so green with envy she could barely straighten her face.

“Mom, what’s the big deal with this Schnabel family anyway? They throw a birthday party for their daughter and casually snap up Serene Haven’s top–tier penthouse. I heard they dropped a whopping 1.5 billion on the purchase and the decor.”

Belinda peeled off her face mask and massaged the wrinkles by her eyes.

“The Schnabels are no small potatoes, sweetheart. They’re top dogs In Imperial City. Honey, did you square things away with Milford about tying the knot?”

Briony blushed and nodded.

“Yeah, Milford said once he’s back in tip–top shape, we’ll get engaged.”

“That’s my girl!”

Milford was such a catch, and Belinda wouldn’t rest easy until he was officially part of the family.

Just thinking about Milford’s tenderness made Briony utterly contented..

Vincent had just walked in when Briony pounced on him. “Dad, I wanna buy a necklace for when I get engaged.”

“Sure thing, pumpkin. Dad’s got you covered!”

“Thanks, Dad! Three million should do it!”

Vincent was flabbergasted. “What kind of necklace costs three million? Briony, our money doesn’t grow on trees. Don’t splurge like that or try to keep up with the Joneses. Every penny we have, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone for!”

Briony felt wronged to her core.

Why should Ms. Schnabel get to flaunt necklaces worth several hundred million dollars at just a birthday party?

And her spending three million on a necklace was considered wasteful?

Vincent’s phone started ringing.

“Mr. Lambert, our latest project tanked, and the losses are hefty…”

“Oh, flops happen. What’s the word from North Peak Finance?”

The failed investment didn’t faze Vincent; he was used to his ventures bombing eight or ten

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Chapter 40

backing him, the Lambert

“Other companies have

them go. A bunch of snobs! With North Peak and South Mountain

star in the domestic financing scene, had quickly carved out a niche in the market with its

a notch below the big monopolies in Imperial City, had opened an oil mine in the North Sea last year. With projects flowing

collaborate with the Lambert Group, there was no shortage of companies licking

Lambert, North Peak and South Mountain are suing us. They say our investment losses are too severe,

off the couch in a panic.

South Mountain lost

risk clauses, but they had never been

million dollars in damages, claiming our movie ventures have caused

a big–name production house in

Ocean talent and directors, but he had replaced a few leads with his pet models, relegating West Ocean’s award–winning stars to supporting roles

are they asking for money now?”

that the artists we sent

Vincent was stunned!

יי

East Sea Culture Company, hoping to launch his pets into stardom and save himself some cash.

on it! I want to meet with these companies‘

be some sort of mistake!

2/4

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Chapter 40

otherwise, why would he be bombarded with these breach–of–contract

a lawsuit

to pass out on

whatever docs they could get

Jasper’s legal documents were everywhere; any case worth

peek at Jasper’s docs, you had to pay a copyright

looking at a document cost a hundred grand!

“Get our legal eagles on it. If we have to pay, we pay. Get

up roads and signal towers back home, finance has already wired it out. We’re a bit tight

ever say

that backwater place? No

that!

over the web! I thought that’s what you wanted.”

hastily hung up the call and hit up the trending topics

Entrepreneur Reminisces Hometown, Splurges Five Mil on Roads and Towers]

down–and–dirty ‘king of the hill‘ act in front of