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

Group some kind of lifesaver from her past life?

do as I say.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

the Schnabel Mansion.

a faded blanket, listening to Yvonne’s sob story from her

But Mom, Dad, and the bros are all under

eyes snapped open, her wrinkly lids sagging

think Noella’s

child sent by the gods. If she felt Noella was bad news, Ashlyn wouldn’t

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

snorted. “The only daughter? She’s got no place here if I don’t

a mask of smug delight.

Schnabel family gates than a posse

Ashlyn wants to

followed the maids.

old house, away from the Schnabel crowd, except for the annual visits from the four Schnabel sons. She wasn’t

led Noella into the Schnabel Mansion, pointing to a bench in the garden with a frosty. “Ms. Noella, you can wait

was clear the garden bench wasn’t meant

for Yvonne? She didn’t mind. The Lamberts used to

13:10

the garden, lost in thought about the Heartfelt Orphanage,

taken the

through the curtains, a smirk playing on her lips as she saw Hoella standing in the courtyard. “Grandma, you know what’s up. If she stands there long enough, her legs will give out for sure.”

doesn’t know her place. and there you have it. I told her to sit

sweetly agreed, “You’re

An hour later.

still there, standing like a statue,

the Heartfelt Orphanage in her mind, profiling the killers”

her eyes, she had

Palmer pegged, too.

behind Noella and said, “Ms. Noella,

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.

back. I only recognize Yvonne and Elara as my granddaughters. Don’t think any Tom, Dick

asked, “Excuse me, but do you have some kind of psychological issue?”

speechless. She suddenly opened her eyes wide, so pissed off–she threw