The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 82

Noella only realized when she got out of the car that the music store Merrick had described as “sort of” actually took up a whole quaint little building right smack in the middle of Imperial. City’s busiest commercial street.

The place was a full six stories of musical heaven. Whether it was a zither, piano, or guitar, they had everything on and off the market.

They even had a lineup of instruments signed by the masters themselves. Pianos that international maestros had tickled the ivories on were just gathering dust in the corners here.

Noella stood at the entrance of the music store and was lost for words.

The gallery next door, the one the old man had lumped on her along with the music store, was already on Yasbel’s radar.

Polaris Star had wanted to snap it up and run it themselves, but Yasbel was playing hardball.

Beckett pointed to the jade sculptures at the entrance and said, “That’s a masterpiece by the carving legend, Master Sylvie. I had to fork out a pretty penny to snag it at the auction.”

Noella’s gaze fell on the all–too–familiar sculpture, and she went even quieter.

Those statues by the doors of the music store and gallery were her handiwork; carved during a data bottleneck at Polaris Star when she needed to cool off and rethink things. And even such pieces had fetched a cool 30 million at auction.

Beckett ushered Noella into the music store, and the bustling clerks all paused from their tasks. Beckett took Noella’s hand and introduced her, “From now on, this music store is Noella’s. She’s your boss. Got it?”

The clerks exchanged glances, sensing something unusual in the air.

The young lady took over such a fancy joint right after coming back, so Merrick must think the world of her.

“Yes, Mr. Schnabel.” They replied.

Beckett waved over, and two suit–clad gents scurried over with fawning grins plastered on their faces, “Noella, meet Terrell, the manager of the music shop. And this is Travis, manager of the gallery next door. If you need anything, these are the guys to talk to.”

Noella nodded, going through the motions of meeting the team with Beckett.

After Beckett chatted with the managers about the latest quarter’s financial of music store and gallery, he turned to find Noella standing in front of a zither.

The zither was Master Rainer’s handiwork, priceless, and only on display in Merrick’s music store because the old man had begged and borrowed it, only to have to return it next month.

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Chapter 82

store. Her dress was shimmering as if sprinkled with stardust. She stood there, and

Beckett couldn’t resist whipping out his phone to

he shot that fairy–like

gorgeous. She’s like a little

fancy that zither, Beckett? Could we convince Master Rainer to

Master Rainer right away, see

great with those instruments too. Let’s buy them all, heck, just gift–wrap the whole store for her. If you guys are short

was charged like a standoff at high

were all fired up with a burning

Talk about throwing away cash

music store, had pretty much run the show since Merrick

eyes, Noella was nothing more

these young misses think they know music? She probably doesn’t even know the first thing. about a zither, he mused.

crafted by Rainer. It’s one of

giving Terrell in his sharp suit

precious, and this one before you is the crown jewel. If you damage it, we’d be

friendly look, “My sister’s liking is

but couldn’t hide his skepticism.

know what a zither

What a joke.

of the zither, casually remarking. “If it’s so precious, why hasn’t anyone fixed contrabass strings when

Master Rainer’s creation,

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fixing them, that’s fine. But why didn’t your clean its

He used the best. materials. And she’d hand–carved the soundboard’s

effortlessly opened a toolbox on the floor and began meticulously restoring the zither. She was carefully maintaining the strings to

Terrell, “Terrell, I believe you owe me

we really didn’t dare touch this instrument and since Master Rainer’s zithers are said to be unplayable by anyone.

sound of a zither began to echo

nails that were just the right length and sported a soft pink hue. The music flowed in waves, as soothing and refreshing

was so pumped he didn’t forget to record the