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

wrong meds last time that made me sick!

Palmer was helpless.

oversight that allowed Sexton’s meds to be tampered with last time, but now It’s Sexton’s excuse for not taking them.

just for

won’t listen, and I won’t

forward, her hat adorned with a massive cluster of artificial flowers screaming for attention, and her skirt supported by a huge crinoline that required her to sidle

was a

with Ms. Schnabel?

psychedelic trip! And it was a hospital, not a costume

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

a clean, neat look. Yvonne’s getup was like

no–go zone.

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

Annie who stood a head taller in a professional

Who’s this chick?

criticize my careful

gaze swept over Annie’s supermodel–like face and figure, scoffing. “And who are you, some random chick? Worthy of standing next to Palmer? Once we’re married,

a woman too, so how

Palmer’s fiancée, the

Annie was flabbergasted!

what if she actually married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the entire Pollack Group into a female workplace

at Yvonne and saw

12:22

“And you are?”

“Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne

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

Sexton didn’t

was icy, devoid

she claims she saved you last time.”

definitely not her. The one who saved me was way

as her

really am Professor Calvin’s student, and I know how to take care of your grandfather, so let me stay and look after him, and it would be even better if you

aura as formidable as a

don’t you ever come back to see my grandfather

How could

your fiancée…”

mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family dares to call herself my fiancée? Since when

in the world did Palmer get wind

love you, Palmer, and I’m the one who’s meant to be your wife. Marry

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