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 from

Elara thought the first deposit from the Schnabel family was a 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

from

“I’ve had it too easy, Noella. I’ve never known hardship within our family. I’m not the one to pity. It’s

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

words Elara had longed to say. She smiled gently, patting Elara’s hand in comfort.

choice to make. You’ve done nothing

nodded against Noella. “I’ve got

test results, Noella. I… I don’t

seeing them in black and

adrift.

she doesn’t recognize me, doesn’t

“I tried to see her, Noella, but she… she

was pain enough, but being forgotten cut Elara deeply.

against her neck, Noella stayed still, offering a silent ear as

mother in the world. Is it too

“She’s your birth mother. It’s natural to think about her. Whatever made her forget, there’s always hope for a day when

might come, Noella couldn’t say.

whether 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 the truth would be no simple task.

Elara’s mood eventually evened

10.56

always

tapped to put the call on

I meant no offense. I just wanted to share some information about Phoenix Lab. Why are you so cold?”

for confirmation; it was indeed Yates on

the higher–ups haven’t disclosed, how in the world did

its fair share of secrets that you might not be privy to. If you’re curious, I’d like to extend an invitation to dinner. I’m an open book,

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