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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of cash lately. Donations from the Pollack family, from our parents, from our brothers – I’m rolling

prelude to being kicked to the curb. Turns out, Tristan, Sienna, and her brothers just felt sorry for her. The Pollacks didn’t hesitate and cut her in on some shares.

funds from the

too easy, Noella. I’ve never known hardship within our family. I’m not

the experiences that should’ve been her sister’s – brought tears

words Elara had longed to say.

choice to make. You’ve done nothing

against Noella. “I’ve got

I… I don’t know

seeing them in black and white

adrift.

she doesn’t recognize me, doesn’t remember

“I tried to see her, Noella, but she… she doesn’t remember me at

but being

her neck, Noella stayed still, offering a silent ear

already have the best mother in the world. Is it too greedy to

to think about her. Whatever made her forget, there’s always hope for a day

day might come, Noella

they were the same could not be discerned. How Harriet regained her memories was also a mystery to Noella. With the past entangled in parts of Polaris Star unknown to Noella, unraveling

by Noella, Elara’s mood eventually

10.56

indeed, always

phone chimed, and Elara tapped to

just wanted to share some

for confirmation; it

higher–ups haven’t disclosed, how in

If you’re curious, I’d like to extend an invitation to dinner. I’m an open book, ready to spill the beans on

would make me lose my appetite. Since you insisted on calling, spill it- who’s the puppet master behind Phoenix Lab?”