The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 186

Yvonne was on the verge of a meltdown, her face hidden behind her hands as tear after tear streamed down her cheeks.

“Malvina, how could you hit me? I swear I didn’t mean it that way. I wasn’t trying to stir up trouble!”

“Yeah, right!” Malvina massaged her wrist before slapping Yvonne once again. “Come on, tell her how she’s supposed to talk to a lady of my standing.”

One of the Gruber family’s servants stepped forward and declared, “Being slapped by Malvina is a privilege, Yvonne. You should be thanking her for even bothering with you.”

Yvonne’s face was ablaze with pain, her gaze turning to Noella, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal.

Noella’s expression was indifferent, and Yvonne suddenly felt like a complete fool in her presence.

“Noella, we’re practically family. Please, ask Malvina to let me off this once,” Yvonne pleaded, her eyes locking onto Noella’s.

Convinced that with so many high–society guests watching, Noella would surely play the magnanimous card to leave a good impression, Noella had to speak up for her.

Noella’s voice was cool and detached. “Have you forgotten what I told you outside the art gallery last time?”

The mere memory of that public humiliation at the gallery had Yvonne’s cheeks throbbing all over again. “Ms. Schnabel, please, ask Malvina to spare me. I’ll never cross you again,

save me.”

Noella was toying with her! It must be that Noella was jealous now that she had become the Gruber family’s darling. It had to be envy!

Noella looked away, her tone unchanging. “Oh, I won’t help.”

Yvonne was dumbstruck.

The country bumpkin dared to reject her? Was she not afraid of being seen as uncouth and heartless by the others?

Noella wasn’t giving Yvonne a second thought. Her little charades were just pathetic attempts to sow discord between her and Malvina, all to gain some advantage.

“What’s going on here?”

echoed from nearby as Walden approached,

1/4

robe embroidered with

at the sight of Arthur. This was her chance to play

drama, wrapped his arm around Noella

My fiancée, getting to know what Ms. Gruber is really

Imperial City’s elite, was unacquainted with the notorious Malvina. This was her first encounter with someone so brazen yet unsophisticated. Malvina’s personality

Arthur, Malvina’s foot jutted out, tripping

“Ah…”

me? You even tried to hit me. Oh, dear! It’s okay, I don’t blame you. After all, you can’t help it if you weren’t taught our Gruber family ways. Your father was just an adopted child, after

waist, wincing in pain, and tears immediately began

she ever hit Malvina? It was clear who the real

it’s not like

and clung to Noella, her eyes brimming with tears. “Ms. Schnabel can vouch for me, Grandpa. Yvonne’s just immature. I don’t blame her; she’s clueless. I

gaze shifted to Noella. She nodded to

turned back and stealthily stepped on Yvonne, her stiletto

from the pain.

just scream and shout like that, especially not here. But then again, I suppose it’s natural for someone less fortunate–looking to seek attention in such ways. I get

Yvonne was speechless.

Was Malvina crazy?

lips curled into a smile, her impression of Malvina deepening. Indeed, the

too

beckoned her over. “Malvina knows best. I am so proud of you. Yvonne, on the

saw Yvonne as an embarrassment.

eyes filled with

limped back to her room, her

resentment.

whistled cheerfully at Yvonne’s retreating figure, playfully

it? Trying to compete with her? Way

fixed on Noella, full of admiration. “Ms. Schnabel,

Walden, her voice calm. “Walden, out