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

the wrong meds last

Palmer was helpless.

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

batch was made on a dedicated production line just for you, and I personally oversaw it, so it’s all

and I

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

was a bit

Ms. Schnabel?

trip! And it was a hospital, not

how

always preferred a clean, neat look. Yvonne’s getup

no–go zone.

would you mind changing into something more appropriate? Your outfit isn’t quite fitting

chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head taller in a professional suit.

Who’s this chick?

to criticize my careful selection for seeing Palmer?

over Annie’s supermodel–like face and figure, scoffing. “And who are you, some random chick? Worthy of standing

too, so how can you endorse such workplace gender bias?”

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

Annie was flabbergasted!

actually married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the entire Pollack Group into a female

at Yvonne and saw a colorful

12:22

“And you are?”

him. “Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne from the Schnabel family. I specially brewed

felt his own eyes drying out looking at her glistening lids. “Yvonne? Never heard of a

Sexton didn’t recognize

gaze was icy, devoid

she saved you last

no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had better taste. It was definitely

her

your grandfather, so

aura as formidable as a

grandfather

could he be

I’m your fiancée…”

let out a snort of disdain, his eyes deep and dark, “A mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family

the world did Palmer get wind of that?

meant to be your wife. Marry me and you’ll

Yvonne in a sideways hold because of her outrageous