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 and

West Hospital was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out

Glory Group, the CEO’s office.

desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his

Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time with the Lambert

“Let’s hear it.”

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

pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty

brow, struggling to contain the

a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to

were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly backwater,

the assistant was shaking in his

rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in two!

okay if they were just nice to my sis, even if they

was usually the epitome of composure and refinement; his

bar tonight for a business talk, and that Milford will be there

thin lips curving

2/5

12:22

I’ll be right over.”

“Got it.”

At the bar.

of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of

Noella stepped in

close, his

she’s with

faced with Palmer’s

seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses, and causing a slight warmth to spread across her

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

voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure, thick

Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there was Thorpe,

Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar guy sharing his

to any onlooker might have seemed like a cozy embrace

fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking around here.” Noella did a

figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just

good, making it a little hard for him to

cool to keep Toxic