The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 192

Elara was still gnawing at the rock–hard loaf of bread Sienna had baked with more enthusiasm than skill. The message on her screen was so unexpected that she nearly chipped a tooth on the dense bread.

Noella walked in just in time to see Elara furiously typing away, surrounded by what looked like a pile of charcoal briquettes.

“What are you researching there, Elara? Charcoal?” Noella quipped, peering at the blackened lumps,

“Noella, darling, I might as well be analyzing these for their carbon content to figure out why they’re so blasted hard! But alas, these are Mom’s so–called ‘breads“.”

Noella, well–acquainted with Sienna’s culinary catastrophes, gave a diplomatic assessment. “Well, it’s an improvement over her last batch. Praise where praise is due.”

But let’s be honest, the improvement wasn’t really obvious.

Elara gestured Noella to come closer to the computer. “Look at this, I’ve got a string of anonymous texts. I pulled some strings to track the sender, and guess what? It’s Yates Gruber, the eldest son of the Gruber family. What could he possibly want with me?”

Her phone number was under strict supervision, with all incoming messages logged by her superiors. Considering the texts mentioned Phoenix Lab, she decided to dig deeper. Elara was a woman who trusted data over gossip.

She was more interested in why Yates reached out than the vague threats he mentioned. After Noella nonchalantly recounted the recent events at the Grubers‘, Elara’s frown was so sharp it could slice through the tension.

“So, that dimwit failed to charm you and now he’s knocking on my door? Genius must run in the Gruber family,” Elara scoffed.

Yates probably assumed that after seeing his messages, Elara would inevitably get in touch. His follow–up text was an invitation to dinner, of all things.

Elara snorted and hit ‘report‘.

“Protected numbers like mine aren’t handed out to just anyone. If Yates is privy to so much dirt on Phoenix Lab, maybe he’s the instigator. He can explain himself to the State Security Bureau.”

Reporting Yates on suspicions of tampering with state secrets was quick work for Elara. Noella could almost picture the look on Yates‘ face when he got the call from the authorities – definitely not his best moment.

After sending the report, Elara was in high spirits. “Come on, Noella, let’s hit the shops! Whatever you want, it’s on me!”

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voice conspiratorially, “You have no Idea, I’ve come into quite a bit of cash lately. Donations

Sienna, and her brothers just felt sorry for her. The Pollacks didn’t hesitate and cut her

from the Richardsons,

head on Noella’s shoulder, Elara’s voice grew muffled. “I’ve had it too easy, Noella. I’ve never known hardship within our family. I’m not the one to pity. It’s me

thought of Harriet’s revelations – all the experiences that should’ve been her

felt a warmth in her heart, knowing these were words Elara had longed to say. She smiled

wasn’t your choice to make. You’ve done nothing

got the what to do.”

Noella. I… I don’t know

her suspicions, but seeing them in

adrift.

she doesn’t recognize

but the tears came anyway. “I tried to see her, Noella, but she… she doesn’t remember me

was pain enough, but being forgotten cut Elara deeply.

dampness against her neck, Noella stayed still, offering a

world. Is it too greedy to want more?”

your birth mother. It’s natural to think about her. Whatever made her forget, there’s

that day might come,

amnesia likely stemmed from outside forces, yet whether they were the same could not be discerned. How Harriet regained her memories was also a mystery to Noella. With the

Noella, Elara’s mood eventually

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sister was the best indeed, always knowing how to soothe

to put

no offense. I just wanted to share

confirmation; it

haven’t disclosed, how in

not be privy to. If you’re curious, I’d like to extend an invitation to dinner. I’m an open book, ready to spill the beans on anything you wish to know.”

make me lose my appetite.