The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 168

The Schnabel family gathered around the osmanthus sculpture that Stirling had brought back home.

If Noella wasn’t so sure there was something hidden inside, they’d all be doubting whether they had the right object at all! How could a U–disk be stashed in this thing?

The sculpture looked seamless, carved from a single piece of fine white jade without a single trace of joint or graft, as though it was a masterpiece hewn from the heart of the earth itself!

Tristan whistled in awe, “Last year, a white jade sculpture by Master Sylvie went for a cool fifty million at the auction. This one could fetch a pretty penny if we ever decided to sell.”

Beckett asked, “Noella, did Grandma buy this sculpture?”

Noella shook her head, “No, it was a gift from me to grandma. Picked it up at a flea market for ten buck.”

In truth, this was her very first carving after she learned the craft. Grandma had always cherished osmanthus fragrans, so Noella carved one for her.

As for the stone, it indeed cost only ten dollar, but the white jade that was later uncovered

turned out to be worth a fortune.

The Schnabel family members were stunned to hear such an exquisite sculpture came with such a meager price tag!

Jasper asked his father, “Dad, are you sure this isn’t a piece by Master Sylvie?”

Tristan slapped his forehead in frustration.

“It has Master Sylvie’s signature mark. Most wouldn’t recognize it, but I’ve bought so many of Sylvie’s pieces over the years; I can tell this is the real deal!”

Marcel motioned for silence, “Enough chatter, Noella, where did Grandma stash the thing? Surely we’re not going to smash this sculpture?”

Tristan clutched the piece protectively, “No way, Dad! This is a top–tier sculpture!”

“Out of my way, you fool. Are you really going to value this over what your mother left behind?”

“But…the sculpture was also left by mom!”

Marcel paused, contemplating the truth in those words. The sculpture was clearly one of Harriet’s beloved possessions. If they destroyed it, she would have been furious.

lifting the osmanthus branch from atop the sculpture, revealing a USB drive hidden within.

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12:04

the U–disk

USB to

the osmanthus branch did not detract from the sculpture’s overall beauty; if anything,

Sylvie’s craft is

say that again, Master Sylvie is truly a jewel in the world of sculpture!”

touched her nose, silently taking in the Schnabel family’s colorful praises for Master Sylvie.

plugged the USB into the large screen in the living

wide with anticipation. The first thing to appear was the soft cough of the elderly

was neatly arranged behind her ears, adorned

years, Harriet remained elegant and gentle, her gaze

Marcel saw her, his eyes

“Harriet.”

would scorn his aged appearance, remembering

not spending those decades with her, not witnessing

gentle voice of the matriarch filled the room, “Noella, my precious girl, if you’re watching

weren’t at home, I started to forget many things, and I feared

secret, just like when you were a little girl, thinking

blinked them back. Every

not

hard, grow up well, and if you ever find your family, I’d be

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12:05

find them, take my belongings and go to the Schnabel family in

City. Tristan will treat you right, and so will your grandfather, both

spoke, she smiled towards the camera, “As for the things I’ve kept

bracelet, and they will accept you. You don’t need to live the hard life I did. I know you used to

chair to make porridge for me.

the Schnabel family ever treat you poorly, I’ll haunt

It took her a while

so sorry it’s taken me this long to remember the past, to have made you endure so much hardship alongside me. I will watch over you forever from the