The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 157

The moment Vincent so much as thought about cash, his aches and pains seemed to vanish!

Belinda sneered inwardly.

Considering how blind and biased the old lady was, her favoritism had known no bounds. She treated Noella like the apple of her eye, raising her as if she were a precious gem. Chances were that bracelet was deliberately left for Noella by the old bat herself!

Why should Noella get it, though? The old lady’s belongings should rightfully go to her own flesh and blood, her granddaughter! That bracelet was so exquisite; putting it on Noella was like casting pearls before swine. If only Briony could have it…

Calculations danced in Belinda’s eyes.

“Honey,” she conspired to Vincent, “that bracelet must’ve been nicked by Noella. She’s out of our lives now, so let’s call the cops, say she took Mom’s stuff. She’ll have to return it then, right?”

Vincent, who’d gotten a good thrashing from Noella and still felt tender in the face, hesitated at her suggestion. “Well… we don’t have proof that the bracelet belonged to Mom. If that little brat insists it’s got nothing to do with Mom, what then?”

“What do we do then? That bracelet’s worth a fortune! Are we just going to let her have it?” Belinda, fighting through her pain, was relentless.

Vincent, of course, wasn’t about to let go!

The bracelet was worth a pretty penny; how could he let Noella just walk away with it?

“Here’s the plan–I’ll pay off a few influencers to boost our story, claim we lost a family treasure. Once the news spreads, she’ll have no choice but to return it out of fear!”

Vincent had it all planned out. If they could just start an online smear campaign against Noella, she would undoubtedly cave under pressure and return what rightfully belonged to them!

Unbeknownst to them, Ellsworth, who had been eavesdropping, quietly opened his eyes. Seizing the moment when they weren’t paying attention, he made his escape.

Why should that precious item ever belong to Vincent’s?

Noella was the future bride handpicked for him by the Lambert and Fuller families. Everything she owned should rightfully be his!

Night fell early in Emerald County. Stars dotted the canvas of the sky, and Elara was sound asleep beside her. Noella had just undone her hair to lie down when she heard a faint rustling noise.

The Schnabel family’s old mansion was well–maintained–no critters here. So, it could only

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Chapter 157

mean one thing- someone was inside!

Elara, picked up her phone, and checked

(Boss, some punk’s sneaked into your place. Want

[No need.]

were a few candid shots of the intruder–undeniably Ellsworth!

her phone, stealthily left the room, and Elara, almost as

eyes.

“Noella…”

up? A bathroom trip, perhaps? But their en–suite should have

when she

Panic set in.

first visit to Emerald County, ran into trouble?

even slipping on shoes, Elara dashed out in search of

paid a few local fishermen for information on which grand doorway the girl

set his heart aflame with

Noella’s stunning face and svelte figure made him lick his lips with

take advantage of the situation, would he

thoughts, oblivious to the

couldn’t risk waking Elara. She touched her wristwatch, aimed

looking down indifferently at the man sprawled on the floor like

the risk of causing trouble for Elara and the Schnabel family, Ellsworth’s fate would be

flashlight in hand,

you okay? What happened?”

Caught a burglar.”

prone figure of Ellsworth with an icy

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is the

don’t know. I came out when I heard noises, and

Emerald County, there were indeed quite a few people who gambled all night and failed to pay up, so incidents like gang fights were not common but still plausible.

She summoned the old butler, who handled the situation and handed Ellsworth

it’s not your place

to Noella like

were tired. You

Elara paused.

was tired that afternoon just to ensure she could get some rest? The coolness of Noella’s bedding hinted that she hadn’t slept while Elara had.

of angel was

care of myself, I promise! But you mustn’t go off on your own next

her gaze landing on Elara’s bare feet. It