The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 62

Merrick let out a long sigh, sinking into his memories.

Noella didn’t rush him, placing the warm milk brought by the secretary next to him.

Merrick wasn’t in the best shape, probably had chronic sleep issues, and a little warm milk could help him rest easier.

“This whole thing just ticks me off. If it hadn’t been for that doctor screwing up the paternity test back then, we wouldn’t have only had you coming back just now! We had it all figured out. Elara was such a sweet kid, and your grandma and I couldn’t bear to let her go. If she wasn’t our flesh and blood and we couldn’t find her folks, we were ready to adopt her. Heck, we would’ve just had her take the Horwich surname!”

Merrick took a sip of the warm milk and continued, “But then the test results came back a perfect match, so we breathed a sigh of relief. Fast forward, Elara’s research got some recognition, and with some internal hiccups in the organization, they insisted on proving her parents were really hers.”

Merrick started cursing up a storm at this point. “Turns out after redoing the paternity test. she’s not a Schnabel kid at all!”

“How could the results have matched back then?” asked Noella.

Merrick was fuming just thinking about it. “Guess what? That doctor saw the mismatch, thought for sure we’d abandon Elara. He figured the kid was innocent and needed a home, so he went ahead and fudged the results! Talk about a bonehead move!”

Noella was just speechless. She’d thought of many scenarios but never guessed it was such a mix–up. But how did they end up swapped in the first place? They’d probably have to track down the head of Heartfelt Orphanage to get that story!

“If not for that mess, Elara might’ve found her real parents by now, and you wouldn’t have had to rough it out there.” Merrick said, tears welling up in his eyes, patting Noella’s hand, filled with regret.

“Grandpa, the grandma who adopted me treated me well, and Elara had a good life in the Schnabel family.”

Palmer listened quietly to the grandfather–granddaughter talk, only speaking up after the old man turned away to wipe his tears.

“If Elara needs help finding her family, Noella, make sure to let me know. The Pollack Group has got some solid connections.”

Merrick snorted, “Why ask? If you really cared, you’d have done something yourself! You trying to make Noella owe you one? Typical Pollack, all high and mighty, no class.”

Noella just rolled her eyes. “Yes, got it! But you know, our family’s way of doing things isn’t half bad. If you are curious, you can chat with my granddad. He’d be more than welcoming.”

12:48

Chapter 62

“Forget it, why would I want to see him? At this point, I’m half in the grave; I’m not looking to pick a fight!”

thinking about Sexton’s face made Merrick uncomfortable. Seeing him, you just knew he was

this weekend. I’ve got a favor

“Sure, got it.”

getting on in years, was already worn out after a short chat. After greeting a few acquaintances at the party, he

up to the Rolls Royce parked at the pier and sliding

lit yacht, the rest of the open

a cab was surrounded by a crowd.

Thorpe, obviously

like a hawk eyeing the hunter in the dark! “Mr. Thorpe, I’d advise you to let her go now. If you think you can walk out of

squinted, eyeing Jasper on the dock.

touch me in international court. You think you

had to be the Phantom Surgeon Lunaris he was after! He’d risked it all coming to Harmonial Country for the Phantom Surgeon Lunaris, and now that he’d found her,

her slip away!

chance to hang with Noella tonight, maybe hit the shops and grab a bite, but no, he had to deal with

couldn’t do anything right!

the Schnabels. Leave her be, or don’t blame

was gagged with a foul

this time; she had a chance to follow this guy and make some cash. They

trying to say something, but no one cared what she wanted. Thorpe found her too annoying and knocked her out cold over

shirt’s buttons and

out by Noella; he’d hate

Noella, furrowed his brow, and said,

Noella just sighed.

younger

doesn’t matter. He’s my fiancée’s brother. That makes him my

day, it was just a title. If it made

played by his own rules, and she couldn’t be bothered to

to blows. He probably

list, so Jasper didn’t stand

him.

stand by and watch Jasper

she was getting nabbed that

her trusty mini laptop, Noella used her hairpin to pop the lock, and