The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

12:22

Chapter 80

Merrick and Freya were making such a big deal about taking photos with Noella, as if they were more excited than if they finished novels or won science awards. They even dug out their wedding outfits to snap pics with her.

Freya’s rocking this burgundy silk dress, and man, she’s still got it all grace and poise. The dress just added to her charm.

Merrick’s suit was an oldie but goodie, with a well–preserved fleur–de–lis brooch adding a touch. of scholarly kindness.

Noella, sandwiched between the two old–timers, snapped their first group selfie.

Freya was over the moon, and she waved at Tristan and Sienna, who look like they were about to drool with envy.

They were practically itching to jump in and take pics with their daughter.

away

Last time at the birthday bash, they were so busy clicking at their girl that they totally spaced on getting a group shot. Now they were kicking themselves over it.

“Come on, get in here. We’ll photoshop Stirling and Elara in later.”

The whole family ended up taking a bunch of photos together.

Merrick couldn’t wait to switch his profile pic to the selfie with Noella. He hightailed it to chat with Marcel, “Whoa, why did I change my profile pic? Can’t quite make out who’s in it, can you?” Marcel was in the middle of a chess game with Sexton, and when he saw that message, he was so close to flipping out. “That sly old fox’s showing off his pic with Noella, huh? Just wait until she visits me in the hospital. I’ll get my photo op too!”

Seeing Noella all cozy with Merrick in the photo, Marcel was getting all choked up.

Why didn’t he think to take a pic with his granddaughter?

Now he’s just got to sit there and watch Merrick strut his stuff!

In the Schnabel family group chat, Beckett ‘accidentally‘ dropped à ton of Noella’s pics. including the fresh ones they just took.

Ulrich: [Noella’s looking adorable. That outfit’s perfect on her. Grandma doing okay? I’ll swing by after my surgery.]

Stirling: [What’s the deal here? Why didn’t we take any when I was home?!]

Elara: [No biggie, I got Photoshop.]

She played it cool, but she quickly edited herself into the group shot and uploaded it to the chat.

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(Fake is fake, drop the act.

a call, his voice pathetic, “Noella! Stirling’s saying I’m fake, so does he want to kick me out? I can’t stand to leave you, my baby girl! Oh well, I guess I’m not really a Schnabel; I deserve this and

calmed her down, “Sis, I’ll swing by Emerald County when I can.

photos with you too!” Elara said.

we’ll take loads.”

was pleased as punch and dropped the recording of

chat.

Stirling was livid.

to get sympathy from our

bothering with their group chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I wanna

“Sure.”

requests, Noella breathed a

in the Lambert days, she hardly ever took pics and didn’t have

to rest, that

and

heart as she sensed

act.

his hand, “I take you to check out

“Sure.” She answered.

they drove off with Beckett, Noella heard him humming a tune. Sounding like

after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just

one time, there was an elevator accident at the

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no, he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be if someone did that for you if you

been big on charity, especially these last couple of years. One time, Grandma said it was Mom’s fault for losing you, and Mom just broke down and got ill. Elara’s great, but we missed you too. Now you’re here with us, and

a smile

“Elara once came to me, said she’d leave the Schnabels once you were back. But she dropped

the Schnabels at first, so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still a family even if she

was caught off guard, then moved and reassured as he

best, a true Schnabel

Elara without changing a single letter, and added a few scolding lines of his own, telling Elara to stay put with

with a stream of crying emojis.

is my little angel! And how dare you scold me, Beckett? You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love

and felt a

help but curse with a chuckle, “What a cheeky girl. She just has no respect for her brother.”

curled up in a smile and