The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 23

The four Schnabel brothers widened their eyes.

Elara, you’re totally cheating here!

Ulrich flashed a meaningful smile, his eyes shimmering with ripples like a serene autumn pond, as his gaze landed on the hairpin atop Noella’s head.

On the hairpin he had carved himself, he had also stealthily inscribed: “I love you!”

The butler hurried forward, “Mr. Schnabel, Palmer has sent over two gifts.”

Tristan scratched his head. “Two gifts? Should be one for the elders and one for Noella, right? After all, Noella and him are still engaged. The kid sure knows how to curry favor!”

Sienna looked puzzled. “But Palmer doesn’t know Noella’s back home, so how come he’s sending her a gift?*

The butler explained, “One’s for you, Mr. and Mrs. Schnabel, and one for Ulrich, as a thank–you for saving Sexton Pollack.”

“When did I save Sexton?”

Noella knew full well that the gift from the Pollack family was meant for her but they mistook Ulrich for her.

She discreetly tugged Ulrich’s hand and whispered, “Ulrich, just take it.”

Ulrich’s heart nearly melted when a soft little hand gripped his suddenly!

Thinking it over, since Noella had been at the hospital lately, she might know the scoop. Tossing all rational thought aside, Ulrich, with a genteel smile, played along. “That was me. I helped Sexton with a prescription before. Mr. Pollack is too kind.”

Sienna playfully scolded, “You didn’t even give us a heads–up. You almost had me thinking Mr. Pollack got the wrong person. We’ve invited Mr. Pollack to Noella’s birthday party; they can meet the kids then!”

Noella was confused. What’s that got to do with me? Engagement? When?”

Seeing how the Schnabels were all hyped up, Noella didn’t have the heart to burst their bubble.

Imperial West Hospital, patient room

Yvonne, holding a nourishing tonic soup, took her sweet time fixing up her look outside Sexton’s

room.

“Palmy, this is the soup I made for…”

Inside, Palmer was locked in a standoff with Sexton over taking his medicine.

Chapter 23

me, and it was the wrong meds last time that made me sick! They are all bad stuff, out

Palmer was helpless.

oversight that allowed Sexton’s meds to be tampered with last time, but now

a dedicated production line just for you, and I personally oversaw it, so it’s

I won’t take it!”

and her skirt supported by a huge crinoline that required her to sidle through the door, with an umbrella in hand

a bit upset.

Ms.

psychedelic trip! And it was a hospital, not

fellow blue–blooded young lady, how could her taste be so… backwoods?

look. Yvonne’s getup was like jumping into Palmer’s

no–go zone.

professional composure as a top–notch assistant, suggested, “Ms. Schnabel, would you mind changing

lifted her chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head taller

Who’s this chick?

criticize my careful selection for

figure, scoffing. “And who are you, some random chick? Worthy of standing next to Palmer? Once we’re married, I’ll have him fire all the female staff!”

a woman too, so how can you

lowlifes, I am Palmer’s fiancée, the future lady of

Annie was flabbergasted!

Yvonne was like this, what if she actually married

Yvonne and saw a colorful blob

12:22

“And you are?”

fawning over him. “Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne

felt his own eyes drying out looking at her glistening lids. “Yvonne? Never heard of a Schnabel granddaughter by that name.”

Sexton didn’t recognize her.

gaze was icy, devoid of any warmth.

she claims she saved

eyes popped out in disbelief. “What? No, no, no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had

panicked as her lie

really am Professor Calvin’s student, and I know how to take care of your grandfather, so let me

as formidable as a natural–born Satan,

to see my grandfather again. You and I have nothing to do with

face turned pale with shock. How could

your

mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family

How in the world did Palmer get wind of that?

the one who’s meant to

bodyguard stepped up. scooped up Yvonne in a sideways hold because of her outrageous hat and dress, and chucked