The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 139

Noella slid into Palmer’s sleek sedan and immediately felt the intensity of his gaze–it never wavered from her for a second. His hand clutched hers, and he seemed reluctant to let go.

“Ease up.” she said.

“Can I just hold it for a moment? I’ve been missing my fiancée all night. I’ve missed your terribly.”

Noella shot Palmer a look. “Someone’s put a price on your head, a tempting one at that. I’m considering taking the offer.”

Palmer chuckled but released her hand, shifting closer to her instead. He may not have been holding her hand anymore, but he was definitely closer now.

Leaning in, Palmer’s presence enveloped her as he whispered, “If you want my life, darling, feel free to try and take it.”

“You keep talking like that, and I might just take you up on it,” Noella retorted.

After all, no one would turn down money.

Palmer pulled out a checkbook, scribbled his signature, and handed it to Noella.

“Whatever they’re offering. I’ll match it. Consider this a down payment to reclaim my life. In the meantime, it’s in the safekeeping of my betrothed.”

Could one’s life be entrusted to safekeeping?

Noella pinched the thin check between her fingers, noting that the amount was left for her to fill

1. in.

“Can I know who wants me dead?”

“The Gruber family,” she replied.

Palmer didn’t seem surprised. “Why didn’t you agree to their offer?”

Noella met Palmer’s teasing gaze with cool detachment. “It’s not worth it. Keeping you around, I can still make money.”

the check in her hand. Even if she had refused Walden’s request, Palmer would still have given her the same amount. Killing him just didn’t add up.

there were

name.

his head into the crook of Noella’s neck, laughing, his shoulders trembling lightly. Was his fiancée always this adorable? Her reason was both

I’ve got some business at the corporation. In the meantime, would you

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care

in agreement.

safety wasn’t an issue; it was the old man’s health that concerned Palmer

watched Palmer’s car disappear into the distance and grumbled, “That kid! Dropping Noella off and then just leaving? Is the company really that important? Can’t he just spend more time

Did Palmer realize how exceptional Noella was? What if she

was genuinely

already taken their places. As soon as Noella appeared, the cameras went live, trained on the

was stunned by

family? Was this her idea of not worrying

But the Schnabel’s presence wouldn’t matter at an art exhibition. Those highbrow artists were only

celebrity. Upon seeing Noella, surrounded by the Schnabels,

than during your birthday live stream. My apologies for not

of Noella, his stare

Grubers, but they maintained civility in public.

a few of the elders. “I heard there was an exhibit at Ms. Schnabel’s gallery today, but I don’t see any artwork. Are we here to watch a Schnabel family reunion? If you wish to gather, there’s no need to use

Noella. Stirling frowned. “That guy’s still as obnoxious as

like him?”

don’t take him seriously. A few years back, he tried to court Elara and got a beating

to

hadn’t realized the depth of the bad blood between Walden and

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Chapter 139

“And then?”

him a complex. After that, Ulrich treated his injuries, and he stayed in the ICU for about three months. The Grubers have kept him away from us since.”

Stirling felt his

not gone unnoticed by the Schnabel. brothers, whose glares were anything