The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 171

Xavier’s brow furrowed with sudden concern at the news.

“Taken Ill? That was news to me – he seemed fine when he arrived. How does one just fall ill out of the blue?”

Truth be told, he wasn’t overly worried about Tandy’s well–being. What really irked him was that just seconds ago, he’d promised Noella she’d get to see the man, and now, it seemed as though he’d orchestrated some sort of mishap. It was all too convenient.

Sure enough, Noella gave Xavier a fleeting glance, a sigh escaping her lips as her fingers traced the bracelet on her wrist.

“Is this the kind of friend you are, Xavier? Backing out is one thing, but to pull a stunt like this after agreeing… It’s just pointless.”

Her tone dripped with disdain and mockery, resonating in Xavier’s ears like a gong of

sarcasm.

Oddly enough, Xavier wasn’t the least bit angry. Instead, he slapped Magee on the back. “Spill it. What exactly happened?”

“We just went to fetch Tandy from his cell and found him passed out. He’s been rushed to the infirmary.”

Xavier waved dismissively. “Wake him up. If pain’s what it takes, then do it. Let this young lady have her word with him before he kicks the bucket. Couldn’t he have picked a better time to die? How inconvenient!”

“At once, Sir!”

With a hint of eagerness he hadn’t noticed before, Xavier rubbed his hands together and turned to Noella.

“Look here, young lady, what did you say your name was? I swear this isn’t my doing! You have to believe me! Do you have any more pictures or videos of your grandma? Can you show me?”

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her. “My name is Noella. Weren’t you trying to kill me a moment ago? Playing coy now, are we?”

no doubt. Me, kill you? I wouldn’t dare, not knowing

remained frosty. “And yet, you’ve schemed against my grandfather more than once. Not a single Schnabel is to step foot near Lockhart Prison or they’re dead- those were your orders, weren’t

when Ulrich was a battlefield medic, he’d nearly lost his life on several

fringes of Lockhart Prison. Only Xavier, this silver–haired

would she have suffered so? Why should Marcel enjoy a life

more Xavier spoke, the more his rage boiled over, his eyes glinting with a vengeful light. If he could, he’d fly

on her shoulder. “Xavier, Noella is my fiancée and Harriet’s very own granddaughter. The man

Granduncle?

Harriet’s granddaughter?

Noella was now alight with anticipation and disbelief. “You’re

it? Last night, Grandma visited my dreams to ask how I was. I told her you almost killed

–

“No, no, Harriet, it was all a misunderstanding. I didn’t know they were your kids. Marcel’s fate is negligible, but thank

that cut Ulrich? Feed him to the sharks! Dare to lay a finger on my sister’s grandkids,

“Without your orders, would they dare?”

a direct consequence of Xavier’s

head, looking at Xavier with a mix of pity and disdain. “Ulrich’s a surgeon. If that injury

“I had no idea, I swear. You have to believe me!”

clearly conveying

further explanations were futile. After all, his intent

he retrieved a book from his shelf, carefully flipping through the pages until he found a photograph

of time, while the man beside her boasted a scar that lent him a rugged charm. In delicate script at the bottom, it read: “To my dear

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Xavier’s face. “Your grandma was my sister. We took our mentors‘ surnames; hers was Lambert. I’ve spent years seeking vengeance for your grandma. Marcel betrayed her doesn’t

life was

Harriet in the photo, her grace and