The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 120

Merrick was getting fired up too. “You think only you’ve got the cash? Noella, sweetheart, if you beat me in chess, I’ll gift you a brand spanking new company!”

Noella looked helplessly at the two old timers.

This kind of one–upmanship was fine, but totally unnecessary.

Half an hour later, Merrick couldn’t sit still! “Noella, dear, where did you learn to play chess like this? I am at my wit’s end!”

Marcel chortled with pride. “Ha, even old Tavian can’t beat Noella at chess. And you’re making fun of me? Think you can do better?”

Back in his youth, Merrick was a chess prodigy, yet here he was, unable to outplay his granddaughter for even half an hour!

“Embarrassed much?”

“Get outta here. Noella being a whiz is all thanks to our Horwich family genes. You’ve got nothing to do with it.”

Marcel was having none of it, slamming his cup down, sparking yet another round of bickering. “What are you implying? Noella is a Schnabel through and through!”

“Heh, saying your wife had the good genes? I’m not calling you daft, Tristan, but your mom, she’s no Einstein.”

Tristan wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking this was pretty much the same as being called dumb.

Merrick quipped, “Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re not Ashlyn’s flesh and blood, thankfully. You don’t resemble that hag, which is a good thing.”

The family was stunned.

What did he mean Tristan wasn’t Ashlyn’s flesh and blood?

Tristan was dumbfounded. “What are you saying? Whose child am I?”

Realizing he had misspoken, Merrick chuckled. “I’m pulling your leg. You couldn’t possibly be mine, a Horwich, right?”

Tristan got the picture he was still being called ugly.

Indeed, Merrick and Freya were known for their looks. When Tristan first laid eyes on their daughter Sienna, it was love at first sight.

twirling a chess piece in his hand, sensing there was more to Merrick’s words. “Are you

you think you are, demanding me

1/4

11:1

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Chapter 120

game. He grabbed Noella and headed for the chessboard. “Come on, Noella. Let’s play chess. I’ve got a

all figured out. His new book would make a splash, showcasing his beloved granddaughter’s brilliance.

into his writing. Everyone who read that book would

know something that you’re

clue. Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell. Heh.” Merrick was all smiles, glancing at Marcel scratching his head.

he’d never spill the beans!

the Lambert Mansion.

his battered body dragging with exhaustion as he collapsed

parents were close behind, none faring much

I heard from Maddox she was at the Lambert ancestral home a few days back. Probably went back

He took the Fuller parents‘ phone and dialed Noella’s number, intending to use Old Mrs. Lambert as leverage to coax Noella into visiting Tranquility City. If she came, they could call the

upon recognizing Vincent’s voice, she hung up without a word.

got out, “Noella,

dial tone rang in his ear, leaving Vincent fuming.

That darn kid!

give up. “I heard she left by helicopter. Maybe she’s met some rich folks? Vincent, are Noella’s real parents truly paupers?”

her folks just some chicken

unsure, sat up and

County? You see, a relative’s

buddy snickered and belched. “Everyone’s moved out. The government’s using Emerald County for experiments now, paid us a pretty

Chapter 120

Noella’s real parents were likely rolling in

recently made a rush on real estate to get out of a bind. He needed money now more than ever! If he could just find Noella’s biological

much did you guys get?”

just ten million for us. But one family

Fifty million!

up instantly!

bad he had no clue what Noella’s real parents‘ names were, or else he’d know exactly how much