The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

he 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.”

Freya snapped, “Have you no shame?”

“Why would I be ashamed? Marcel, you tell them Noella is going to be our granddaughter–in–law, and Elara’s our own flesh and blood. They’ll be part of my family sooner or later, right?”

“Beat it! Getting too big for your britches, are ya? All these treasures belong to the Schnabel family, now

scram!”

Marcel could feel his blood boiling just looking at Sexton, cursing under his breath as he shooed him and

Palmer out the door.

“I get sick just hearing the name Pollack!”

“And the Schnabel’s aren’t any prize either! Except for Noella and Elara, the rest of you are no–good

troublemakers!”

The Schnabel family pretended they didn’t hear a thing.

Elara surreptitiously tugged at Noella’s hand, shielding her face as she whispered, “Noella, I need to get out for a bit. Come with me, will you?”

“Where to?”

As Elara pulled Noella into the car and buckled her seat belt, she explained, “I want to check out the

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Richardson family. Noella, you can drive, right?”

can.

Noella didn’t hesitate, firing up the engine and driving a good distance before admitting. “But I don’t have a license.

Elara was struck silent. She should’ve thought this through, maybe casually dragged one of their brothers along. Noells didn’t have a license; what if something happened?

we get Jasper to come? Should

calm. “You didn’t want them to know, right? My driving

it’s not safe. Should we take a cab?”

glanced at a motorcycle parked on the roadside, tilting her chin up slightly. “Let’s take that. I

sleek black motorcycle pulled up outside the Richardson Manor,

ride, the chilly wind calming her frazzled

they beheld the estate, Elara’s gaze

this the place?”

where

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

swung inward with a creak of old hinges.

elegant, floor–length evening gown and clutching

her face exuding gentle calmness.

you and this young lady come in for a

woman, “Lavinia,

best of health, rarely venturing out of the Richardson family estate. This was her first encounter with Elara.

settled on Elara, taking in the girl

figure standing before her. For some

Schnabel, a researcher despite her tender years. The rumors clearly don’t do you justice. Please, come in. The house tends

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

Elara into the heart of the Richardson

2 2 2 F

on your

it. It’s my pleasure, truly.”

Elara across the manicured lawns of the garden,

tiny laugh

fancy? I’ll have some afternoon

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

for honey cakes,

quite partial to strawberry shortcake myself. I’ll fetch some right away.”

her chair closer to Noella, the entire seat

you think she could be my

the way over. Lucian had but a son and a

look quite a bit like you,” Noella added, almost understating the resemblance. From the moment she laid

Elara were

had a

logic, “Without DNA evidence, it’s just a theory. I need data

her mind to trust only in empirical

of an electric wheelchair approached, and

was taken

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

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

a child. You never make it easy,

easy.do

covered his ears, feigning deafness, and

landed on Elara and

Lucian’s gaze, one of shock and disbelief, and introduced herself confidently, “Hello. I’m Elara, the daughter taken

on the table, she chimed in with a smile. “Don’t underestimate Miss Elara here. She’s quite the researcher. I remember reading one of her

Schnabels? And so brilliant,