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.

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12:22

during some missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them

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

the CEO’s

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

assistant, dressed in a sharp business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything

“Let’s hear it.”

it rough with the Lamberts. Her pocket money 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

of the Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou

contain the rage bubbling inside and said,

fiancé lined up, the big shot Milford from the Rosenberg family of Tranquility City. But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they kicked Noella to the curb. When the old Mr. Schnabel sent folks to

got nabbed – all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly backwater, never to return.”

shaking in

a rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip snapped

if they were just nice to my sis, even if they were broke. But to

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

bar tonight for a business talk, and

thin lips curving into

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12:22

Tobin I’ll

“Got it.”

At the bar.

bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the

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

his towering frame casting a protective shadow

she’s with

would–be flirts, faced with Palmer’s icy demeanor,

Palmer’s embrace, her face pressed against his shirt, she noticed he seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses, and causing a slight warmth to spread

close to a man, Noella held her breath, about to step back when Palmer’s hand pressed against her

her ear, his voice low and tinged with

as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there was Thorpe, knocking

and knew his mug. The unfamiliar guy sharing his booth must be the

a reassuring pat, which to any onlooker might

over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking around

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

it a little hard

the intrusion, but we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch and Thorpe