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

South Mountain Financial backing him, the

wavered. “Other companies have cut ties

South Mountain behind the Lambert Group, what’s there

star in the domestic financing scene, had quickly carved out a niche in the

below the big monopolies in Imperial City, had opened an oil mine in the North Sea last year.

itching to collaborate with the Lambert Group, there

are suing us. They say our

you say?” Vincent leaped off the couch in a

South Mountain

risk clauses, but they had

million dollars in damages, claiming our movie ventures have

big–name production house in Imperial

a few movies, using 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 they

for compensation, saying that the artists we

Vincent was stunned!

יי

East Sea Culture Company, hoping to launch his pets into stardom and save himself some cash. But their off–screen antics weren’t exactly

us down? Get the lawyers on it! I want to meet with these companies‘

to be some sort

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Chapter 40

must still be half–asleep; otherwise, why would he be

a lawsuit from Jasper’s firm for copyright

like he was about to pass out on

could get their hands on – all for free,

documents were everywhere; any case worth its salt was his

even peek at Jasper’s docs, you had to pay a copyright fee

document cost a hundred grand!

it. If we have to pay,

up roads and signal towers back home, finance has already wired

ever say I’d fix

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

that!

over the web! I thought

up the call and