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

North Peak Finance and South Mountain Financial backing him, the Lambert family never worried about finding new partners.

wavered. “Other companies have cut ties

South Mountain behind the Lambert Group,

a niche in the market with its sharp

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 a partnership.

to collaborate with the Lambert Group, there was no shortage of companies licking

and South Mountain are suing us. They say our investment losses are too severe, and they’re going

off the couch in

North Peak and South

their contract had risk clauses, but

damages, claiming our movie

was a big–name production

West Ocean talent and directors, but he had replaced a few leads with his pet models, relegating West Ocean’s award–winning stars to supporting roles for

this before. Why are

Culture Company is 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

into stardom and save himself some cash. But their off–screen antics weren’t exactly squeaky clean, tarnishing East

us down? Get the lawyers on it! I want to meet

had to be some sort of

2/4

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Chapter 40

still be half–asleep; otherwise, why would

a lawsuit from

about to pass out on

whatever docs they could get their

any case worth its salt

to pay a copyright fee to his firm something Vincent

a document cost

we have to

said you’d send to fix up roads and signal towers back home, finance has already wired it

did I ever say I’d fix up roads

backwater place? No media would ever

that!

all over the web! I thought

up the call and hit