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.

12:22

(Fake is fake, drop the act.

saying I’m fake, so does he want to kick me out? I can’t stand

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

with you

we’ll take loads.”

dropped the recording of the call into the group

chat.

Stirling was livid.

way out of line! You are stirring up drama to get sympathy from our sis.

group chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I

“Sure.”

requests, Noella breathed

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

she was laid to rest, that photo went with her into the grave. Therefore, Noella didn’t have a single picture left from her time with the Lamberts.

and planting a kiss on that photo on her phone. “My granddaughter is so precious; what a blessing.”

current flowing through her heart as

act.

take you to check out the

“Sure.” She answered.

Noella heard him humming a tune. Sounding like he’s in a

but our folks weren’t always like this. Dad used to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just changed – no joke, you’d have thought he was this stony type if you met him

at the

12-22

no, he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be

said it was Mom’s fault for losing you, and Mom just broke

a smile too, “Yeah, I know. I’m happy

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

she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are

moved and reassured as

true Schnabel

scolding lines of his own, telling Elara to stay put with the Schnabel family because she’ll always be

him with a stream

You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love each other. You are the only one getting blocked!”

looked at his phone and felt a throb in his temples.

moment, he couldn’t help but curse with a chuckle, “What a cheeky girl. She just has no respect for

the corners of his mouth still curled up in a