The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 129

Did Ms. Noella have a trick up her sleeve? Was she considering borrowing the entire Schnabel family’s art collection for the exhibit?

If the Schnabels were willing to lend their pieces, it would indeed solve the gallery’s dilemma.

“If the Schnabels‘ paintings could be shipped in time, we might just pull this off. But I wonder how many of Master Killian’s paintings they actually have.”

Noella shook her head, dismissing the suggestion. “We don’t need to borrow from the Schnabels. There aren’t even thirty of Master Killian’s paintings across the entire Imperial City,”

“So, what’s your plan, Ms. Noella?”

Noella scribbled and sketched, quickly passing her new gallery layout to Travis. “Get to setting up the exhibit. I’ll handle the materials. Pay the workers triple for today, and overtime is extra.”

Travis’s eyes widened as he looked at the new gallery design Noella handed him.

The original exhibition design had cost the gallery a pretty penny, commissioned from a professional team. Yet Noella’s changes elevated the whole aesthetic to a new level!

“Ms. Noella, your design is sheer genius! With your simple tweaks, the initial concept has been transformed magnificently. It’s like you’ve worked a miracle! Absolutely brilliant! Not only is it better, but it also saves materials and complements Master Killian’s pastoral oil paintings even more. Even if we’re short on artworks tomorrow, the exhibit itself will be enough to draw a

crowd!”

Could this be the backup plan Ms. Noella had prepared?

1

Travis could hardly contain his excitement!

Noella casually tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and spoke coolly, “Half the staff have vanished, suppliers have suddenly become uncooperative. As the manager, care to explain?”

Travis’s smile faltered.

When Noella had walked into the gallery earlier, she hadn’t seemed to look around, and Travis had even removed the staff attendance records for the past two days, fearing she’d notice the issue.

Still, Ms. Noella had uncovered the problem!

Under Noella’s probing gaze, Travis wiped his brow and said defensively, “Ms. Noella, the Gruber family’s new gallery poached our staff!”

If it weren’t for the staff defection, with artists in limbo and suppliers pulling out, the exhibition wouldn’t be facing such dire straits.

“They left us?”

1/4

10:05

Chapter 129

managers took her

defections weren’t unheard of, but it was a blow, considering the defectors were in charge of the exhibit

many media professionals we invited. The upfront costs were substantial. If we can’t deliver due to this last–minute fiasco, the Gruber’s new gallery will overshadow us! To leave is

Travis vented his indignation, Noella glanced at her

and Palmer filled her screen, which Noella replied

respond, the Schnabels might come looking for her after work.

woman in heels strode in with an air of superiority, looking down

at Noella.

you haven’t signed my resignation letter, and I’ve yet to receive my compensation

upon seeing her. “Petra, how dare you show your face here? Why would

docked my pay. Plus, they owe me bonuses for all my overtime. Now that

bill on Noella’s desk.

face turned crimson

shameless of Petra!

chuckled lightly at the list. “Do you even understand the

what do you mean by that? I’m entitled to compensation according

own accord and you need my signature? Besides, considering your history of kickbacks, we definitely need

as she faced the 19–year–old girl.

a spoiled girl, clueless and coddled by her family. Petra had even hinted at a raise, yet Noella had

offering her a lucrative deal to manage, Petra thought she could stir up

Chapter 129

what do you mean by that? The gallery never reimbursed

backend system. Her slender fingers danced across the keyboard, quickly

are all the exhibits you’ve worked on in your ten years at the gallery, with every material cost accounted for. Last month’s Medieval special exhibit had costs of eighteen thousand, and you claimed thirty thousand. That extra twelve thousand, was that supposed to be a gift to the gallery? Over ten years, you’ve siphoned off 3.5 million in this way. And you’re still concerned about

back in her chair, her expression cool and detached as she regarded Petra standing before

you even talking about? How can you prove these figures are legit? Do you have any idea what these

wrist, Noella tossed a price

the going rate for these materials in the market? Aluminum frames for fifty grand a pop?

price list laid out before her, which detailed almost all of the major

swiftly navigated the company’s internal network. With a glance, she found all the information she needed, printed it