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

act.

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 I’ll

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

wanna take photos with you

take

hung up. She was pleased as punch and dropped the recording of the

chat.

Stirling was livid.

are stirring up drama to get sympathy from our sis. Right,

chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I wanna take photos with you too.”

“Sure.”

photo requests, Noella

she hardly ever took pics and

who treasured this one photo of her as a kid. And when she was laid to rest, that photo went with her

smile, sneaking a tear wipe when no one’s watching and planting a kiss on that photo on her phone. “My granddaughter is so precious; what a blessing.”

flowing through her heart as

act.

hand, “I take you to

“Sure.” She answered.

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

Dad used to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just changed

accident at the mall, and

12-22

saying how great it’d be if someone did that for you if you were

always 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 moment of silence, Noella cracked a smile

came to me, said she’d leave the Schnabels once you were back. But she dropped the idea as she thought

it was tough for the Schnabels at first, so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are

off guard, then moved and reassured as he pinched Noella’s cheek.

true Schnabel

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

him with a stream of

how dare you scold me, Beckett? You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love each other. You are the only one

and felt

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

his mouth still curled up in a smile and brimmed with