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

hit in the head during some missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them out, and he’s still grinning?

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

Group, the

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

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

“Let’s hear it.”

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

five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last year, mostly under–the–table cash from Belinda.”

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

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.

the Lamberts. They were hoping to sell her off to some

was shaking

a rotten

Beckett’s grip snapped clean

nice to my sis, even if they were broke.

and refinement;

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

thin lips curving into a scornful smirk.

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12:22

I’ll

“Got it.”

At the bar.

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

packed. No sooner had Noella stepped in

his towering frame

with

Palmer’s icy

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 across

to a man, Noella held her breath, about to

her ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained

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

knew his mug. The

pat, which to any onlooker might

be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking around here.” Noella did a

figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in

making it a little hard for him to let

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