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

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

voice wavered. “Other companies

snobs! With North Peak and South Mountain

star in the domestic financing scene, had quickly carved out a niche in the market with its sharp

an oil mine in the North Sea last year. With projects flowing like water, everyone was eager to cozy

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

They say our investment losses are too severe, and they’re going after

leaped off the couch in a

North Peak and South Mountain lost

their contract had risk clauses, but they had never

demanding 300 million dollars in damages, claiming our movie ventures have caused them

a big–name production house in Imperial

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

this before. Why are they asking

saying that the artists we sent over have caused them public disgrace with their unseemly

Vincent was stunned!

יי

launch his pets into stardom and save himself some cash. But their off–screen antics weren’t exactly squeaky clean, tarnishing East Sea’s reputation.

Get the lawyers on it! I want to meet with these

some sort of mistake!

2/4

12:29

Chapter 40

would he be bombarded

legal team got slammed with a lawsuit

he was about to pass

docs they could

were everywhere; any case worth its

Jasper’s docs, you had to pay a copyright fee to his

at a document cost a

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

to fix up roads and signal towers back

“When did I ever say I’d fix up roads back

point of paving that backwater place? No media

that!

over the web! I thought

and hit