The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 136

After hanging up the call with Master Killian, the crisp chime of Noella’s mini laptop resonated through the stillness of her room.

She settled into her chair, booted up the computer, and plugged in a custom–made network card that granted her direct access to the shadowy reaches of the deep web, her IP address. completely obfuscated.

Even the sharp–eyed hounds from the Schnabel family couldn’t sniff out her midnight digital excursions.

A message from Erek popped up: [Boss, got the scoop. Ashlyn’s insisting on a hospital visit, probably ‘cause of that morning call from Vincent.]

[Vincent?]

[Yeah, the sleazeball seems keen on marrying you off to Ellsworth, that notorious money pit of a gambler. Need us to handle it?]

[No need to dirty our hands. Let Ellsworth’s creditors knock on his door.]

Ellsworth was up to his neck in debt, and those underground casinos in Linefort City had some ties to Polaris Star.

Back in the day, when Noella had learned the art of gambling stones with Master Hector, they’d dominated the underground scene with nothing but a deck of cards, inadvertently gaining some shady assets.

Thankfully, their operations had been smooth sailing, no

messes ma

Erek chuckled and replied: [Roger that, Boss. You’ve always been too kind. Phecda and the crew are retrieving Old Mrs. Lambert’s DNA as we speak. Now we just need Vincent’s. Want me to ‘draw some blood‘ from him?]

Erek had been itching for a chance to teach Vincent a lesson!

Without their boss’s discreet support, Vincent wouldn’t have made a dime. Yet, he mistook Noella’s goodwill for his supposed business acumen. Such a man belonged under a bridge, collecting cans!

[I’ll handle it myself. Where are they now?]

[Headed to Imperial West Hospital. I’ll be outside to cover you.]

With an affirmation, Noella closed her palm–sized computer, swiftly disassembled it, and transformed it into an inconspicuous trinket on her desk.

With everything in place, she slipped out of her room, unnoticed by anyone.

1/4

1023

dead of night, at Imperial West Hospital, Vincent, wheelchair–bound, was wheeled in by Belinda, with a few slackers from the Fuller

a grin, “Excuse me, we’re looking for Marcel’s

in ICU. It’s not visiting hours. Come back at eight

Vincent was baffled!

in ICU? She sounded fine when he

find Noella now? I

equally vexed.

he suddenly spotted a familiar figure at the end.

me

him towards the figure. “You’re Noella’s father, right? You’re the

for Marcel, looked puzzled at

this? He

“That time when you were gatekeeping for

security guard for the Schnabels, which was

former foster father?

these people had never been good to Noella. If it weren’t for the watchful eyes in the

was so kind and sensible, and yet they treated

County’s subsidies, was reluctant to let Wren go. “Look, it’s like a family feud. We’re all

Η

father. What do

his hands together. “Well, we heard about some subsidies at Emerald County. We did raise Noella for years, so

realized they were there for money. “Considering you turned down a contract worth a ten

Vincent was stunned.

2/4

10-23-

Chapter 136

ten billion! What was

you tell me, what exactly is the status of Noella’s birth

were ordinary people, how could they afford a contract worth a ten

motioned for a few commandos. “Get them out of here.

in the past,

The nerve!

Tell me who Noella’s

at him with utter contempt. “Pfft, I haven’t seen