The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 140

Master Killian stood with an air of pride beside Noella.

Glancing behind him at the exhibition hall, he took in the artistic atmosphere. A symphony of colors and strokes had turned the modest space into something out of a Renaissance dream, with a luminous full moon hanging high above the carefully curated exhibits. Clearly, this was Noella’s handiwork. She had indeed surpassed the teacher.

He couldn’t fathom why these upstarts thought they could get the better of the talents he and the other old guys had painstakingly nurtured.

“Kiddo, don’t let them walk all over you,” he said, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. “It’s just an art exhibition, and not everyone deserves an invite.”

His gaze shifted to Walden, who stood there, stupefied.

The Gruber family had thrown a fortune at the chance to have Master Killian grace their gallery. They had sent out invitations like confetti, but to no avail–they hadn’t garnered a single

response.

Walden approached hastily. “Master Killian, our gallery would be honored to host you as our premier artist. We’ve sent numerous invitations, but we’ve heard nothing back. We truly seek your presence!”

If Killian agreed, the Gruber Family’s gallery would make its mark on Imperial City and ascend to new heights.

Killian regarded Walden with a look that bordered on disdain. “Who are you, again?”

Walden’s cheeks flushed a shade of crimson. In front of the press and the public, Master Killian had snubbed him. If word got back to his family, the other Grubers would never let him live it down. As a bastard son, he had to excel in his work to secure a foothold in the family.

“Master Killian, I am Walden of the Gruber family. Our gallery in Imperial City is about to open, and we’d be privileged to have you.”

Master Killian gave Walden a look that could only be described as ‘are you serious?‘

“Why would I forsake my apprentice’s gallery for yours? Is it you who’s lost his senses, or am I just too brilliant?”

Walden struggled to maintain his composure.

“Girl, a gallery isn’t complete without artwork. Bring me my tools!” Master Killian extended his hand, and Noella stepped forward to roll up his sleeves. He was about to create a masterpiece–right there and then!

and the media were agog

her eyes wide with disbelief. “Honey, can you believe Noella is Master

11:21

Chapter 140

a painting legend. How did she manage that?” Tristan, although clueless about when Noella became acquainted with Master Killian,

did

know the man, let alone introduce

wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility–given the Pollack family’s clout, they could have sought Master Killian’s support for

anymore, and never with an apprentice. The media

call Ms. Schnabel’s gallery a joke now? With Killian’s arrival, the Grubers

Killian, isn’t painting

at Noella. “Who is this guy? Annoying,

not in front of

persistent Walden and summoned

our staff, sabotaged our partnerships, and stole trade secrets,” she said with calm authority. “Shall we discuss this here, or at the police station? It’s funny, just yesterday,

painting, and clenched his jaw. “Ms. Schnabel, I’ll remember you. Make sure you remember me, too. We’ll

fool,” Noella replied coolly,

Noella, but the Schnabel brothers stepped

him.

sound echoing ominously. “The weather’s getting cold. Perhaps the Gruber family’s business could use a chill, too.”

a smirk. “And those old injuries of yours, Walden–they must flare up in this damp

to the media. “You know how to spin this, right? Walden’s antics need to make headlines, for those who

be in the know were, of course, all members of

11:227

Chapter 140

desist letter

a blatant

the gallery, He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Everything had been meticulously planned, foolproof. He was

dared to snub him like

the Gruber family caught wind of this, it would surely tarnish the reputation he had worked so hard to build among