The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 14

The auctioneer was all chuckles as he wielded the tiny gavel.

“Up next, an open piece of Intel: Cerulean Whale’s launching a crackdown on Obelisk Organization and Abyssal Organization, and they’re stirring the pot in Imperial City.

Starting bid: three million dollars.

Sure, the headline was on the house, but if they wanted the nitty–gritty, they got to bid.

Noella couldn’t care less about Cerulean Whale gunning for her crew. Bring it on, who’s eating who was still up in the air.

She had been knee–deep in the gem gambling biz for the past couple of years, letting her hitman outfit grow like wildfire, and without much fuss, it became one of the deep web’s big three.

What piqued her interest was Cerulean Whale’s shenanigans in Imperial City, and if she wasn’t barking up the wrong tree, it likely involved Marcel.

She had to snag this info!

Cerulean Whale attacked Marcel right under her nose, could she even show her face around?

Noella raised her paddle. “Three million and ten grand, name’s Wise Fool.”

The crowd was like, “Say what now?”

Three million and ten grand was chump change, but that moniker made everyone else put their paddles down!

Even the auctioneer was speechless.

They were hoping to rake in tens of millions for this juicy tidbit, but with Wise Fool in the house, who would dare to bid against her?

In VIP Room No. 9, Palmer was taken aback, setting his paddle aside,as well.

Looked like it was her he was up against earlier. Since she was interested in that last piece of intel, his three million wasn’t spent in vain.

With that thought, Palmer leaned back, a sly grin spreading across his face.

He had scoured every nook and cranny of the Radi Building for Noella to no avail. Wise Fool wasn’t one to be easily tracked down.

With Wise Fool throwing her hat in the ring, the room went quiet as a mouse, letting her walk away with the news.

“Congrats to Wise Fool. Sold for three million and ten grand!”

The auctioneer was grinning from ear to ear. “Up next, a little freebie for y’all: Gemstone

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Chapter 14

Gambling King is teaming up with some families for a public gem gamble next month. Don’t

miss out.”

Noella was confused.

game, a riddle wrapped in a

public appearance? News

over to the message center, swiped her card, and got the

General Marcel again tomorrow, the price tag: a

a squeaky–clean yet beat–up Volkswagen was about

spotted Palmer by the car as soon as she stepped

face all lit up with a welcoming

bit surprised, Noella approached and quipped, “What, you moonlighting as an Uber driver?”

his smile stiffening before meeting Noella’s skeptical gaze. Those

info she had just dug up about the villages near Heartfelt

got tangled in scams or dabbled

had done well to survive the

if I give you a lift?”

ride’s a ride, and it would be a nice gesture to support Palmer’s “side hustle“, Noella hopped in

gift for you, in case you fancy joining Abyssal

not know how to

welcome gifts after they had already met a few

a little box with the intel. “Take a

asked, “You were in VIP Room No. 9? Why drop all that cash

an Uber driver was new. Palmer felt a mixed bag of emotions, hinting, “I’ve got a day

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Chapter 14

He could make a killing with just one job on the

this intel just for me? What if I don’t want to join

is in the joy it brings. If it makes you happy, that’s

much cash just to cheer her

her hands holding

like

was speechless for a moment, then said, “You’re the first. I never gave gifts to ladies, except for my mom, back when she

quickly apologized, “Sorry. Didn’t mean to bring

does my gift make you happy?”

Noella was dumbstruck.

kind of thing

she this speechless when she got

of subtlety?

online and knew they were straight shooters,

in mind, Noella stifled the oddly

“Yeah, happy.”

smile deepened, and Noella, feeling her

getting hot in

pondered for a moment before opening her

the director of Heartfelt Orphanage are the same person who had dealings with Vincent, a merchant from Tranquility City, before going