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.

of servants planting new flowers. Yvonne asked curiously, “What’s going

us to clear all the flowers in this courtyard and plant roses for her. Oh, and the lilies over there. are to be removed too. Mr. Tristan bought

lilies

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

envy, Yvonne scurried off to

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

indifferently, “That’s

frantic, her eyes darting around, finally blurted out with determination, “Elara, don’t you want to know why you were

find something out with your brains. Go work off some

face twisted

always at odds with her since childhood, nothing but

her feet, Yvonne dashed off

the Heartfelt Orphanage

eighteen and had no time to get her

worry the Schnabels, so she took

orphanage was in the suburbs, surrounded by a private estate with a vast

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Chapter 11

sea of

gunshot rang out. Her instincts had

cursing, “Damn that Vocalist, stealing

to Harmonia Country? If we’d known

it. If he spots

quick on their feet, but

the sky, and the four

He was dressed in a vintage

again, Wise

brow furrowing slightly.

live nearby. Saw some commotion and thought I’d kill some

a loss for

a buck with their lives on the line. Vocalist must be one of the local poor

“The target?”

“The director of Heartfelt Orphanage. Client unknown, order taken by the

on her heel and strode into the orphanage. In the orphanage, the director’s office was deserted,

up from behind her. “What are you

I used to

pity flashed

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

she was an

needed and stood up

show up and cleared the place out in advance. Swear, when I got

already a