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

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Chapter 40

Financial backing him, the Lambert family never worried about finding new partners.

secretary’s voice wavered. “Other companies have cut ties

them go. A bunch of snobs! With North Peak and South

a niche in the market with its sharp investment acumen and solid capital chain, snapping up

Mountain Financial just a notch below the big monopolies in Imperial City, had opened an oil mine in the North Sea last year. With projects flowing like water, everyone was eager to cozy up to them for

collaborate with the Lambert Group,

are suing us. They say our

Vincent leaped off the couch

and South Mountain

had risk clauses, but they had

damages, claiming our movie ventures have caused them significant

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

a few leads with his pet models, relegating West Ocean’s award–winning stars to supporting roles for his arm

didn’t mention this before. Why are they asking

also on our case for compensation, saying that the artists we sent over have caused them public disgrace with their unseemly

Vincent was stunned!

יי

over to East Sea Culture Company, hoping to launch his pets into stardom and

it! I want to

some

2/4

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Chapter 40

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

team got slammed with a lawsuit from Jasper’s firm for

about to pass

legal department usually went for whatever docs they could get their hands on – all for free,

were everywhere; any case worth

pay a copyright fee to his firm

at a document cost a hundred grand!

gritted his teeth. “Get our legal eagles on it. If we have to pay, we pay. Get

back home, finance has already wired it

say I’d

the point of paving that backwater place? No media would ever sing his

that!

web!

hastily hung up the call and hit up the trending topics online.