The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 118

Maddox gazed skyward as the helicopter roared overhead, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.

Who knew sports cars could sprout wings these days? This was some next–level tech!

Huffing and puffing, the Fuller family finally rolled up in their rickety old truck to the gates of Verdant Gardens.

“Maddox, didn’t you say Noella was back? Where’s the girl?”

Maddox pointed towards the sky, a smirk curling his lips. “She just took off, man. You gonna chase after her?”

“What? She left already? Why didn’t you stop her!”

Chase a helicopter? With what, their beat–up pickup?

They had been counting on Noella agreeing to marry Ellsworth Fuller, hoping Vincent would cough up the cash to clear Ellsworth’s mountain of gambling debts! Now she was gone, and they were left with no leads.

“Maddox, do you know who bought this place? How come it’s sold, and Noella can still stay here?”

Maddox chuckled and took a few puffs of his pipe. “Of course, it’s Ms. Noella’s own kin. They bought the house for her. From now on, this beauty belongs to Ms. Noella, so you lot can kiss your dreams goodbye.”

The house was Noella’s?

The Fullers stood there, dumbstruck.

“Didn’t Vincent say Noella’s folks were just some poor chicken farmers from Emerald County? Where did they get the dough to buy her a house?”

“They must’ve been pulling our leg. Noella’s family can’t be poor! Otherwise, how could she afford a chopper ride? I say her marrying Ellsworth could be our ticket to the high life!”

If Noella’s family was loaded, not only would Ellsworth’s debts vanish, but the Fullers could be swimming in luxury!

With that thought, the Fullers left, visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads.

Maddox watched them go, then dialed Beckett on the sly.

Beckett had left his number with Maddox during Verdant Gardens‘ last renovation, telling him to call if he ever needed anything.

Beckett, who was sneakily checking security footage, answered Maddox’s call. He was now kicking himself for not installing cameras inside the house as well.

The garden cams showed too little!

1/4

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Chapter 116

to his sister’s tastes at dinner, moving with practiced ease. Clearly, he’d been at this a while. It was obvious

1. it.

have their sights set on Ms. Noella. They’re hoping she’ll marry

heck? They think they can set their sights on

past events. made his

Palmer seemed to know how to comfort her, which made Beckett warm

Jasper walked

and Fuller families want to settle with cash, keep it out of

a dollar less. Otherwise, they can rot in jail.” Beckett was not

families; they’d have to sell properties to scrape it

them locked

hospital ward. Let ‘em pay for their freedom and

funds tied up in legal troubles, paying

easy.

Beckett, the eldest, seemed the most harmless but was actually the most cunning. The future helmsman of the

on the lawn of Imperial West Hospital, stirring up a whirlwind before rolling into the parking garage, reemerging

trunk, approaching Noella. “For the old gents, as a ‘get well

glanced sideways. “When did you get

day. I figured since we were heading home, we’d need something to cheer up the granddads, what with them being so

the hospital room,

Chapter 118

swung by the old homestead, paid

up and about, I’ll go

held Old Mrs. Lambert in high regard, grateful for how she’d cherished their Noella like a precious gem.

the gifts to the

Grandpa Marcel, Noella and I picked these out for you both.

old men’s faces bloomed with

Let’s see

choice. Upon opening the box, she found the latest autumn scarf and hat from Master Azure, namely

it just so happened that she had casua crafted these items to test the softness

claimed them, dividing

hat, grinning like a

be outdone, Marcel wrapped the scarf around his neck. “Noella, do I look

what?”

beanie was developed by Elara’s lab.

Polaris Star. The fabric originated from Elara’s chickens, with