The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 44

Palmer’s eyes were glued to Noella on the stage the whole time.

He’d run through a gazillion scenarios in his head, but never saw it coming that she’d turn out to be the lady of the Schnabel family!

She looked stunning in that gown! The sheer silk outlined her slender waist, which was slim enough to make anyone green with envy.

The gown was tailored to perfection, with each swirl and pleat meticulously designed, making her look like she was enveloped by waves and clouds as she moved. With a pink diamond necklace gracing her swan–like neck and her hair cascading down like mist, she was the spitting image of a fairy straight out of a storybook.

Tristan was busy introducing Noella around and raking in a ton of birthday presents.

But Palmer was on the move, heading straight for Noella!

“Hey, wasn’t there some kind of arranged marriage deal between the Pollack and Schnabel families?”

“Yeah, and look at Palmer making a beeline for Noella. If you ask me, they’re a match made in heaven.”

“Totally! Only a family like the Pollacks could land a celestial beauty like the fairy–like young lady from the Schnabel family.”

Hearing the whispers around him, Palmer couldn’t help but crack a slight smirk.

“Happy birthday! This is my gift to you.”

Noella’s eyes met Palmer’s, and there was a fleeting look of surprise in them.

Tristan slapped his forehead and quickly introduced them, “Oh, Noella, totally slipped my mind to introduce you. This here’s Palmer Pollack, your fiancé. You two were betrothed as kids and now’s the perfect time to meet.”

“Palmer, this is my daughter, Noella!”

Palmer nodded with a mischievous and teasing grin, “Noella? That’s a pretty name, got it

memorized!”

She

Couldn’t tell if he was emphasizing her name on purpose or not! And fiancé? She knew she

had one, but she never imagined it would be Palmer!

What happened to driving an Uber and scraping by?

“Here’s my gift for you.”

wrapped box with a pearwood carving and some

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Chapter 44

my heart’s bright moon.

close his mouth when he

gift for Noella? Why another one? You’re

face,

for Ms. Schnabel, this one is

couldn’t make heads or tails of

went out of his way to give

even started to ponder whether the grandkids would take the Schnabel

simply said, “Thanks.”

mention it, my dear fiancée.

guy for real?

but with all the eyes around, she couldn’t

are such

is a knockout, and with Mr.

are gonna be off–the–charts

the Schnabel brothers weren’t buying it. Their sister had just come home, and they weren’t done spoiling

random fiancé swoop

sister just got home. and she’s got her own name. No

said with a seemingly friendly smile. “Noella’s still young; no rush for marriage. We, the Schnabels, aren’t planning on marrying off any daughters for at least a decade.”

an old maid by then!

at Palmer and pulled Noella behind him. “No offense, Mr. Pollack, but aren’t you twenty–four already? My sis is only nineteen. Don’t you

had just turned twenty–four, so how

at Palmer disapprovingly. “Mr. Pollack, you’ve delivered your present, so you

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Chapter 44

by Noella’s side, seemingly chatting with her, but her sharp eyes stayed

We don’t need to marry off a daughter for some business

Schnabel siblings shielded Noella behind them, not leaving even a

closeness, was about

a gift. You all go. entertain the guests

Palmer. “Come on, Mr. Pollack, I saw

smile. “No, you go ahead, Beckett. I want to

a bit

definitely not feeling