The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 24

The little black car smoothly rolled out of the Imperial West Hospital grounds.

“That gal you just saw? She’s not my girlfriend.”

Noella didn’t respond.

“She’s my secretary.”

Noella was like, what’s the deal with her?

Running the show as one of the big three on the deep web, it’s no surprise Palmer’s got a few secretaries, especially when that secretary looked like she could seriously kick some butt probably a real whiz at her job.

“Not bad.” said Noella.

Palmer went on to clarify, “You can’t replace the standout abilities and shining moments that women bring to the table at work, so yeah, I’ve got a good number of ladies on my team.”

Noella nodded in agreement. “Totally get you. My big bro’s company is chock–full of women too. He always says no one falls for the boss just because of the job at hand; integrity and skills trump gender every time.”

Palmer chuckled, “Your brother and I are on the same page.”

“Guys can fall for their boss just as easily. It’s got nothing to do with gender.”

That’s not exactly what Palmer meant!

Palmer touched his nose, trying to mask the stiffness around his lips.

“You’ve heard about Thorpe entering the country, right?”

“Yeah, Thorpe’s probably here to touch base with Toxic Monarch.”

Thorpe, the big cheese of the Cerulean Whale Organization, cozying up with Toxic Monarch in Harmonia Country’s Imperial City – that’s quite a meet–up!

“What’s your take?” asked Palmer.

Noella shot him a look and said coolly, “Toxic Monarch’s after the Harmonia market, and Thorpe’s gunning for us. They’re just teaming up for a quick minute.”

Being both seasoned foxes in the deep web game, Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s combined craftiness could run circles around the planet, with not less than eight or ten sly tails trailing behind them.

When Palmer heard her say “us,” the corners of his mouth curled up ever so slightly, a wave of indescribable joy sweet as honey flooding his heart.

Noella, catching the smile on Palmer’s face, was a bit speechless.

1/5

12:22

mentioned Thorpe

was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out when they

Glory Group, the

booted, sat behind his grand desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his chiseled features exuding a warm elegance, every move demonstrating

suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time

“Let’s hear it.”

was capped at two hundred a month. often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the whole year, nearly had to fork out for her

in five

contain the rage bubbling inside and said, “Go on!”

Milford from the Rosenberg family of Tranquility City. But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs.

Noella got nabbed – all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were hoping to

was shaking in his boots.

rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in two!

would’ve been okay if they were just nice to

the epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant had never seen him

from H&Y Corporation wants to meet you at the bar tonight for a business talk, and

thin lips curving

2/5

12:22

Mr. Tobin I’ll

“Got it.”

At the bar.

biggest watering hole in all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights

packed. No sooner had Noella stepped in than she felt a few deliberate

his towering frame

with

flirts, faced with Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively

shirt, she noticed he seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses, and causing a

this close to a man, Noella held her breath, about to step

there.” He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure, thick with a magnetic charm.

cheeks flushed even redder, her back stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there was Thorpe, knocking back drinks.

Thorpe and knew his mug. The

which to

thirty hitmen, and the Toxic Monarch’s got over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be

how did she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just a

smelled good, making it a little hard for him

for the intrusion, but we gotta play it cool to keep