The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 181

lose to her feet and handed some tissues to Sexton “Grandpa Sexton, you don’t have to feel bad for You’ve watched me grow up and I’ve always been well taken care of, never slighted.”

“Ah.. you’re right, kiddo. I’m not sad, not crying. Just old and my eyes are… leaky, that’s all.” Sexton fumbled with his handkerchief, trying to dry his tears, but they just kept coming.

If Wetto had truly forgotten her own child, even if Elara found her, she’d be faced with a mother who’d lost all memory of her past.

How much would that break Elara’s heart? Why did this kid have to draw such a short straw in life?

Sexton heaved a deep sigh. “She was a Richardson. After Yvette’s accident, I couldn’t bring myself to face Lucian. And as you all know, Jacob was never cut out for business; he was always into his research. Yvette was like a junior colleague from his Institute.”

Sexton’s face was filled with bitterness as he shook his head with several sighs. “As old buddies, crawled out of the trenches only to shuffle back towards the grave, the man I least dare to face is Lucian!”

Marcel frowned. “The Richardson girl? Now that you mention it, Elara does bear some resemblance to the girl in her younger days. Why the heck didn’t you speak up about this before?”

Sexton let out a wry smile. “After Yvette left, Jacob always believed she was his wife, and I respected his decision. But with her gone, we couldn’t very well knock on the Richardson’s door asking for her hand in marriage, could we? Lucian would have my head! I was too ashamed to speak of it, so I kept quiet. Jacob’s been carrying a heavy heart all these years. I’m not afraid to admit it, even if it makes me the butt of your jokes. Just a few years ago, that boy was on the brink of going after Yvette before I stopped him and sent him off to Emerald County, hoping a change of scenery and some work would distract him. I can’t let my gray hair outlast his black hair, can I?

But the change did him good; he came back to life, and I was over the moon! Though Palmer’s dad can be a bit of a fool, at least I’ve got Palmer. Jacob’s all alone, with nothing to his name, I dread the day he might leave this world before me.”

Sexton wiped his face dry. “The thought scared me! Last year, Jacob came back, talked my ear off at the hospital, even brought up Yvette, but he seemed alright, not upset, and I thought he’d moved on, but little did I know…”

Little did he know that it was then Jacob discovered Elara’s DNA could be a match with his in Emerald

County!

“Elara, my dear, I’m not asking you to forgive Jacob, nor am I asking you to come home, but please… don’t hold it against him. His days have been hard too.”

Silence fell upon the room for a moment.

Marcel let out a heavy sigh. “He’s had it tough, but does that give him the right to mistreat our Elara? Both Noella and Elara are innocent. We, the Schnabels, never once thought of abandoning Elara. Sexton, look at Elara, such a fine young woman, the pride of our family! Even with his reasons, your son’s gone too far. How could he deny such a wonderful child?”

Sexton managed a bitter smile, “He’s afraid!”

Suddenly, Noella spoke up, “Grandpa Sexton, does Uncle Jacob suffer from depression?”

The last time Noella saw Jacob, she noticed he wasn’t in the best of spirits, very much closed off inside.

Sexton nodded. “Yes, but he’s been doing much better in the last couple of years. At least he’s no longer seeking death or chasing after Yvette.”

11:53

Preya looked at Sexton, who seemed to have aged significantly, and send with rough time toof

Jacob scares me, and I fear for Palmer being alone when I’m gone. That’s why I keep pushing him to may but the boy just won’t listen

Palmer chuckled, “Grandpa, you come up with a different reason every time you bring up manage. How can I take you seriously?

Elara glanced around at her gathered family, realizing that if it weren’t for her situation, they wouldn’t all be here together.

She cleared her throat and spoke up confidently. “Tve made up my mind! I’ll acknowledge the Pollacks, but i am Elara Schnabel, always Elara Schnabel, Grandpa Sexton will be an extra grandpa who adores me, so guess I’m winning here! As for him… I don’t want to see him just yet, but I don’t blame him.”

Sexton looked at Elara, nodding relentlessly. “Eh, you decide. It’s all up to you. You stick with the name Schnabel, a fine name indeed! Marcel, I owe you thanks for raising such a granddaughter.”

Marcel snorted, his face softening a bit. “Of course she’s wonderful, my granddaughters are the best! Just so you know, Elara’s only being kind. She’s still a Schnabel through and through.”

“I know, and the Pollacks will provide for Elara whatever she needs. Whatever she chooses to do, both the Pollack and Schnabel families will be her home!”

Merrick muttered, “How did this become your win? I was hoping Elara might take on my last name one of these days, but you old coot got lucky”

Elara hugged Merrick’s arm, “Grandpa, I may have two paternal grandpas, but I only have one maternal grandpa like you!”

“That’s more like it.”

Freya coughed. “In the future, maybe Elara and Noella should just stay with us. The Schnabel family is quite Erowded, and our place could use some liveliness”

I

Sexton chimed in, “Sure thing, I could move in too, keep Noella and Elara company.”

“Have you no

be ashamed? Marcel, you tell them Noella is going to be our granddaughter–in–law, and Elara’s our own

too big for your britches, are ya? All these treasures belong

scram!”

at Sexton, cursing under his breath as he

out the door.

just hearing the name Pollack!”

aren’t any prize either! Except for Noella and Elara, the rest of you

troublemakers!”

Schnabel family pretended they didn’t

at Noella’s hand, shielding her face as she whispered, “Noella, I need

“Where to?”

pulled Noella into the car and buckled her seat

11:54

family. Noella, you can drive, right?”

can.

good distance before admitting.

She should’ve thought this through, maybe casually dragged one of their brothers along. Noells

Jasper to come? Should I call him?”

road ahead, her driving smooth, her eyes calm. “You didn’t want them to

not safe. Should we take

roadside, tilting her chin up slightly. “Let’s take that. I have a motorcycle

pulled up outside the Richardson Manor,

waist the whole ride, the chilly wind calming her frazzled nerves.

estate, Elara’s

the

this the place where

floated from inside the gate. “Isn’t that Ms. Schnabel? What brings you to our doorstep? And

inward with a creak of old

floor–length evening gown and clutching a parasol,

her face exuding

why don’t you and this young lady come

hand, nodded towards the woman, “Lavinia, this is my sister, Elara.”

best of health, rarely venturing out of the Richardson

on Elara, taking in the

standing before her. For some

a researcher despite her tender years. The rumors clearly don’t do you

during Lucian’s birthday, the vast estate remained largely desolate.

into the heart of the Richardson Manor.

2 2 F

on your hospitality, Lavinia.”

it. It’s my

Elara across the manicured lawns of the garden, eventually reaching the drawing–room where she

shimmering, tiny laugh lines adding character to her

you fancy? I’ll have

both knew – Sienna, perhaps. Both bore the mark of scholarly breeding, an

a fondness for honey

to strawberry shortcake myself.

retreat, Elara scooted her chair closer to Noella, the entire seat

do you think she could be

the one daughter,” Noella said, having done her research on the way over. Lucian had but a son and a daughter, the former an ambassador hardly ever

the moment she laid eyes

Elara

the Schnabels, had a liveliness that Lavinia lacked.

it’s just a theory. I need data before I draw any conclusions.”

had honed her mind to trust only in empirical evidence, emotions trailing far behind

sound of coughing and the whir of an electric wheelchair approached, and Lucian, in the driver’s sest,

was taken

Lavinia scolded, “Dad! How many times have I told you not to zoom around so fest indoors? Have you not seen

her off. “I’m well past my salad days; I won’t be drag racing. Besides, I was excited