The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 174

Tandy was the very definition of cautious. In his story, it was sheer serendipity that brought Elara to the Schnabel household. With so many children in the orphanage, why her?

He clenched his Jaw. “Pure coincidence.”

I’ve checked ail the kids that came out of Heartfelt Orphanage that year, and you just happened to pick the brightest and the smartest. Lucky, huh?”

Tandy’s gaze drifted. “Alright, that child was indeed handpicked. Someone said she was exceptional, and that she wouldn’t raise any suspicions at the Schnabels.”

Noella nodded, seemingly agreeing with the statement.

Elara and the Schnabel boys were alike–intelligent, attractive, and cultured. It was as if she was one of their own. Standing with them, no one questioned Elara’s place in the family.

“Whose child is she?”

Tandy hesitated, silent for a long moment. “She’s doing so well with the Schnabels, so why dig into her past?”

Elara indeed lived well in the Schnabel family, but she deserved to know her origins, to choose her own family!

Noella understood this dilemma all too well. Embracing a new family was tough, but the truth was Elara’s right.

“Just tell me whose child she is, that’s enough.”

Tandy sighed, a wry smile crossing his face. “If memory serves, she’s a Pollack.”

Noella and Palmer were stunned.

Elara, a Pollack?

Xavier frowned at Palmer. “Your cousins are way older than you, your uncle is single, so your dad had an affair?”

Palmer was quick to deny. “My parents were devoted to each other.”

“Really? You’re not with your dad all the time. He could have secrets, right?”

Facing Xavier’s skepticism, Palmer added, “Even if there was a possibility of an affair, there’s no way he’d have a child Elara’s age.”

During the time of Elara’s birth, Palmer’s mother had her own troubles. It was unlikely his father would betray her then.

the second son.

Palmer was shocked.

Elara and Jacob together, their resemblance uncanny. Jacob’s gaze towards Elara was more tender than that of a mere

on the subject, what really happened with Jacob’s lover in the hospital?”

shook his head. “I can’t tell you that. I can only tell you that she gave birth to the kid when

searching his

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grandmother was hospitalized long before, that made her leave the Schnabel family?

Harriet, and he felt an urge to dissect Tandy’s brain right then and there for answers.

“Got any booze? Give me

flask from his waist

down Tandy’s throat, he coughed violently. After a moment,

composure.

I know Jittle about it;

alcohol, Tandy grew agitated. “I don’t know the full story! After I switched the baby, they reassured me–old tricks would go unnoticed once more. If my actions were exposed, neither the Schnabels nor the Pollacks would spare me! But God will forgive.”

Heart!

heavens!”

reminiscent of orphanage

about? Is he losing it? I can’t

bottle

strong enough to muddle the senses of a sober

When he does,

pendant, and handed it to Xavier.

you really going

Xavier with a hint of resignation. “He must know something about Grandma’s past. Who else can you ask? Can you find the former head of Tandy Hospital? At least he

Don’t worry, I’ll

bunch of knuckleheads outside

jailbreak, it was practically entertainment!

get mixed up with the law, ask Noella! You blind, or what?

at him, her gaze light as a feather. “I

on. I’ll just let you handle things for now. This place may not be pretty, but it’s got its uses! What do you reckon we

they die, Tandy will clam

check it out. Can’t let those hooligans