The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 12

Noella fanned herself with her palm, the roses blooming all over the manor, their scent rich and heady.

Palmer parked the car right under the Radi Building as Noella had said. “This the spot? I’m not too hot on the lay of the land around here.

Noella nodded. “Yeah, that’s the place. I’ll shoot you the cab fare.”

Palmer couldn’t help but chuckle, pulling out his phone and handing it over to Noella. “Let’s add friends on WhatsApp first, then you can Venmo me.”

After Noella added him and grabbed her backpack, she hopped out of the car.

Palmer watched her sprinting into the office building, even swiping an employee card to get through security.

Radi Building was chock–full of companies – was she one of the employees here?

Noella had a hunch and turned around to see Palmer still by the car, gazing her way.

Bathed in light, he was the picture of elegance and charm, not at all like a top–tier assassin who flirted with death on the daily.

Palmer waved at her, his face wearing a warm, genial smile, putting even Beckett to shame in the gentlemanly department.

Noella’s cheeks flushed, and she bolted for the elevator.

After she disappeared inside, Palmer whipped out his phone to call his secretary. “Radi Building could be one of my assets. Get me everything on all the companies and their employees here.” “Right away, Mr. Pollack. We’ll start the acquisition of Radi Building immediately.”

Noella made her way to the top floor and found a studio with no sign on the door.

Kitai’s face lit up with surprise when he saw her, “Boss, you’re here.”

Noella passed him the design draft. “Use display agents 3 and 5, a 30-70 mix then finish with number 8 for five minutes.”

“Got it! Boss, our new store is in the Rising Glory Mall. Wanna check it out?”

Rising Glory Mall was all about first–rate, blue–blood brands, a famous hotspot for luxury goods in Imperial City. If something was sold out everywhere else, you could probably snag it there.

Beckett’s face flashed in Noella’s mind; Rising Glory Mall was his turf, too.

“Nah, let’s pass. Give Rising Glory Group a 10% cut from our sales at the mall.”

Kitai’s jaw dropped – that was a hefty 10%!

even at 10%, was worth

Group some kind

do as I

“Sure thing, boss.”

the Schnabel

in a faded blanket, listening to Yvonne’s sob story

off. But Mom, Dad, and the bros are all under her spell. They won’t listen to a word I say. Grandma, do we even have a place in this house anymore?

her wrinkly lids sagging

think Noella’s got bad

Yvonne was a blessed child sent by the gods. If she felt Noella was bad news, Ashlyn

me, kicked me out without dinner, calling herself the only daughter of the Schnabel family.”

only daughter? She’s got no place here if

face was a mask of smug delight.

than a

Madam Ashlyn wants

followed the

usually kept to the old house, away from the Schnabel crowd, except for the annual visits from the four Schnabel sons. She wasn’t a fan of Sienna, always sour–faced at the sight of her, leading the men of the family to minimize their visits.

led Noella into the Schnabel Mansion, pointing to a bench in the garden with a

clear the garden bench wasn’t meant for sitting-

didn’t mind. The Lamberts used to make her stand as punishment just to appease Briony.

13:10

in thought about the Heartfelt

had taken

on her lips as she saw Hoella standing in the courtyard. “Grandma, you know what’s up.

even looking up. “You said she doesn’t know her place. and there you have it. I told her to sit but didn’t say

“You’re right, Grandma,”

An hour later.

still there, standing like a statue, not

at the Heartfelt Orphanage in her mind, profiling the killers”

Noella slowly opened her eyes, she had found it!

Whale not only saw her coming but had Palmer pegged, too. Those hitmen were just

maid stood behind Noella and said, “Ms. Noella,

strutted into the small building where Ashlyn lived. She moved with the grace of a flowing cloud, not showing the slightest sign of fatigue or soreness from standing for an hour. Instead, every gesture she made was dripping with class.

out with distaste, “No manners. Go learn some and then come back. I only recognize Yvonne and Elara as my granddaughters. Don’t think any Tom, Dick or Harry

me, but do

wide, so pissed off–she threw her prayer beads across the