The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 11

“The Schnabel family is steeped in culture and high society. Where did this wild and unruly girl come from, daring to butt in even on my own sister? Just looking at her brings bad vibes.”

Stirling, with a flourish, served Noella a bowl of soup using the fancy gold–plated serving spoon. rolling his beautiful eyes in the process.

“Seriously, who knows who’s fresh off the turnip truck, being spoon–fed by Mother Nature herself. With your bumpkin vibes, you could go back to the countryside and get straight onto farming.”

Yvonne was at a loss for words. Her hands, clad in lace–trimmed white gloves, tightened around the hem of her dress, her facial expression contorting.

“Stirling. Jasper, I’m just looking out for Noella. Why are you being like this? I’m part of the Schnabel family, too. I just want us to be a harmonious and beautiful family. Grandma was worried about Noella not knowing the ropes and sent me here on purpose.”

When Ashlyn was mentioned, everyone held their tongues.

Yvonne was an outsider, but Ashlyn was, after all, their elder.

The Schnabel family was all about strict upbringing; elders were to be respected.

Tristan waved his hand impatiently. “Noella’s got her head on straight; she’s awesome. The whole family adores her. Just head back, will you? Don’t disrupt our family dinner.”

Yvonne’s eyes bulged in disbelief. She had deliberately stood at the entrance for half an hour. timing her entrance with dinner, just to show off her impeccable table manners compared to country–bumpkin Noella.

That way, the Schnabels would see that she was the perfect fit for the family.

Why do they still side with Noella, knowing full well she was rough around the edges?

Was this all about blood? So what if she didn’t have it?

Yvonne, her face burning with shame, stormed out.

Ulrich, with his golden hands, peeled a plate of crab meat for Noella and passed it over with a beaming smile. “Give it a try.”

The crab meat was succulent, the roe rich and flavorful.

“Delicious,” said Noella.

Tristan smiled. “Honey, just tell us whatever you like. As Jasper said, from now on, you will set the rules in this house. Mom and Dad will listen to you.”

Sienna said lovingly, “Don’t take Yvonne’s words to heart. She’s no relation to our family. She bears the Schnabel surname because your grandma does. You’re the only daughter of our

household.”

Noella nodded, feeling the warmth of the Schnabels‘ protection–something she had never experienced in eighteen years with the Lambert family.

“Thanks, Mom, Dad, and brothers. I’ll remember that.”

Yvonne left in a huff, not a single tear on her face.

Hunger pangs gnawing at her stomach, she wandered through the vast Schnabel garden. nearly getting lost.

servants planting new flowers. Yvonne asked

replied with a smile, “Ms. Yvonne, Ms. Noella likes roses. Mr. Tristan has ordered us to clear all the flowers in this courtyard and plant roses for her. Oh, and the lilies over there. are

lilies were

would swing among them every year. How could everything be snatched away just

Yvonne scurried off to

back home, quick! There’s trouble. Mom, Dad, and

indifferently,

eyes darting around, finally blurted out with determination, “Elara, don’t you want to know why you were switched at birth?”

“As if you can find something out with your brains. Go work off some of that extra energy by exercising; there’s no saving

face twisted in rage!

always at odds with her since childhood, nothing but a

Yvonne dashed off toward Ashlyn’s place.

the Heartfelt Orphanage

was barely eighteen and had no time to get her

the Schnabels, so she took a cab to

in the suburbs, surrounded by a private estate with a vast rose garden and

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Chapter 11

verkable sea of flowers.

out. Her instincts had her swiftly pressing against

past, cursing, “Damn that Vocalist, stealing

did Vocalist get to Harmonia Country? If we’d known he was here, we’d never have taken

it. If he spots us, we’re

were well–trained and quick on their feet, but not quicker than Vocalist’s

across the sky, and the four assassins dropped

emerged from the shadows, the sunlight catching his handsome features. He was dressed in a vintage vest and suit jacket, his tie

meet again, Wise Fool.”

Palmer, her brow furrowing slightly. “You here

nearby. Saw some commotion and thought I’d

at a loss for words.

were those desperate to make a buck with their lives on the line. Vocalist

“The target?”

he had learned. “The director of Heartfelt Orphanage. Client

the orphanage. In the orphanage, the

you digging

I used to live here.”

flashed through Palmer’s

the roof, even if he went toe–to–toe with her, Palmer couldn’t guarantee walking away unscathed. Those moves didn’t seem like something you’d get from just any household.

she was

she needed and stood

and cleared the place out in advance. Swear, when

was already a