The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 33

At the Lambert ancestral home in Linefort City.

Jasper’s hired muscle flew in by chopper and, while still several feet from the ground, yanked Vincent out and dumped him right at the doorstep of the Lambert ancestral horne,

Vincent, well into his fifties, nearly broke every bone in his old body!

“Dammit… Do you even know the law? This is assault, pure and simple!”

The bodyguard, sporting dark shades, Just gave a lopsided grin and sneered. “Our boss said we’re doing you a solid, dropping you home. You know exactly how you treated Ms. Noella–don’t play innocent!”

Vincent was speechless.

This was completely different!

Noella was just a heartless country bumpkin while he was the high and mighty CEO of the Lambert family!

After making the delivery, the bodyguard hopped back on the chopper and took off.

Blown around by the helicopter’s downdraft, Vincent’s hair was a mess, his suit was wrinkled, and his face was caked with dust and dirt, making him look like a beggar.

The actual beggars at the Lambert ancestral home’s gate nearly mistook him for one of their

own.

Vincent was fuming. He whipped out his phone to call the cops, but, of course, there was no signal!

Maddox, who was in charge of guarding the old homestead, spotted Vincent and hurried over to greet him.

“Mr. Lambert, why didn’t you give us a heads–up? Here to donate?”

Vincent was speechless again.

He was too proud to come back home without fanfare, always making a big show of donating like 30 to 50 grand, turning it into a spectacle the whole village knew about.

Vincent changed the subject. “How come there’s not even a proper road in this place?”

“Ah, Mr. Lambert, you’re here to fund road construction? That’s fantastic! I’ll go tell the mayor right now!”

Vincent quickly grabbed him.

“No, no, get me out of here first. My phone’s got no signal; I can’t make any donations to the village!”

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“What? Mr. Lambert, you’re also gonna build us a cell tower? That’s amazing!”

because of

couldn’t say he wouldn’t donate, and he really didn’t want to shell out cash for these yokels. He grabbed hold of

big deal to negotiate. Get me out of here. Does this village even

do. Let me pull it here

baffled. What kind of

was off to get the “vehicle,” Vincent looked up

make something of himself in Tranquility City, to become a known and respected tycoon. He never wanted to

it, the house seemed to have been

planted Old Mrs. Lambert’s favorite osmanthus tree by the door–a mature tree of this variety could easily fetch 200 grand at

he was behind this renovation. Why would he spend money on

out of respect for Briony, secretly spruced up the place to surprise

thought about it, the more it

amazing son–in–law!

hit a rough patch, it was still not to be underestimated, given its previous glory. Besides, they had always

always been close to Milford, unlike

about Briony’s engagement with the Rosenbergs–can’t let a catch like

daydream was shattered

actual ox cart!

had seen better days, stopping to rest after every step.

this is the only ox cart we’ve got. Hop on, and we’ll make it to town by

voice was trembling. “There’s

tractors. From there, hop on a bus, and you’ll

Vincent remembered.

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hadn’t come back for years was because it was such a hassle to leave! Linefort City had no airport; he

for road construction, he thought it wasn’t worth it since he couldn’t brag about it, so he donated to Tranquility City’s overpass instead, barely

up. Once it gets light, the old ox has to plow the

under his breath, Vincent pinched his nose and climbed atop the ox cart, dodging

a beggar, “Take Mr.

violently that Vincent’s sandwich lunch threatened

as he watched Vincent’s retreating figure. He pulled out a smartphone equipped with satellite

Lambert said about donating for roads and a cell

“Appreciate it.”

face split into a

help, our village would’ve been toast a long time ago, not to mention the renovations you funded for the ancestral

It’s the least I could do.”

video Maddox sent her

Old Mrs. Lambert had weathered her whole life. Noella would guard it with her life, no doubt!

days later, at Tranquility City Police Station.

and

scruffy beard and looking all kinds

at the sight of