The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 40

Word was out that the Schnabel family’s daughter was throwing a birthday bash, and the whole upper–crust circle was buzzing about it!

Briony got wind of it, too, and looking at the extravaganza posted by some social media influencers on her phone, she was so green with envy she could barely straighten her face.

“Mom, what’s the big deal with this Schnabel family anyway? They throw a birthday party for their daughter and casually snap up Serene Haven’s top–tier penthouse. I heard they dropped a whopping 1.5 billion on the purchase and the decor.”

Belinda peeled off her face mask and massaged the wrinkles by her eyes.

“The Schnabels are no small potatoes, sweetheart. They’re top dogs In Imperial City. Honey, did you square things away with Milford about tying the knot?”

Briony blushed and nodded.

“Yeah, Milford said once he’s back in tip–top shape, we’ll get engaged.”

“That’s my girl!”

Milford was such a catch, and Belinda wouldn’t rest easy until he was officially part of the family.

Just thinking about Milford’s tenderness made Briony utterly contented..

Vincent had just walked in when Briony pounced on him. “Dad, I wanna buy a necklace for when I get engaged.”

“Sure thing, pumpkin. Dad’s got you covered!”

“Thanks, Dad! Three million should do it!”

Vincent was flabbergasted. “What kind of necklace costs three million? Briony, our money doesn’t grow on trees. Don’t splurge like that or try to keep up with the Joneses. Every penny we have, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone for!”

Briony felt wronged to her core.

Why should Ms. Schnabel get to flaunt necklaces worth several hundred million dollars at just a birthday party?

And her spending three million on a necklace was considered wasteful?

Vincent’s phone started ringing.

“Mr. Lambert, our latest project tanked, and the losses are hefty…”

“Oh, flops happen. What’s the word from North Peak Finance?”

The failed investment didn’t faze Vincent; he was used to his ventures bombing eight or ten

12-28

Chapter 40

South Mountain Financial backing him, the Lambert family never worried about

wavered. “Other companies

them go. A bunch of snobs! With North Peak and South Mountain behind the Lambert Group, what’s there to worry about?”

niche in the

mine in the North Sea last year. With projects flowing like water, everyone was

with the Lambert Group, there was no

Peak and South Mountain are suing us. They say our investment losses are

say?” Vincent leaped off the couch in a

and South

had risk clauses, but they had

million dollars in damages,

Ocean Media was a big–name production house in Imperial City.

but he had replaced a few leads with his pet models, relegating

before. Why are

on our case for compensation, saying that the artists we sent over have caused

Vincent was stunned!

יי

pets into stardom and save

shaking us down? Get the lawyers on it!

some sort of mistake!

2/4

12:29

Chapter 40

be half–asleep; otherwise, why would he be bombarded with these breach–of–contract bombshells.

team got slammed with a lawsuit from Jasper’s firm

like he was about to

could get their hands on – all for free, of

legal documents were everywhere; any case worth its

had to pay a copyright fee to his

document cost

legal eagles on it. If we have to pay, we pay. Get

Lambert, about that money you said you’d send to fix up roads and signal towers back home, finance has already wired it out. We’re a bit tight on

ever say I’d fix up roads back home?”

place? No media would ever sing his praises

that!

blasted all over the web! I thought that’s what

hung up the call and hit up