The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 62

Merrick let out a long sigh, sinking into his memories.

Noella didn’t rush him, placing the warm milk brought by the secretary next to him.

Merrick wasn’t in the best shape, probably had chronic sleep issues, and a little warm milk could help him rest easier.

“This whole thing just ticks me off. If it hadn’t been for that doctor screwing up the paternity test back then, we wouldn’t have only had you coming back just now! We had it all figured out. Elara was such a sweet kid, and your grandma and I couldn’t bear to let her go. If she wasn’t our flesh and blood and we couldn’t find her folks, we were ready to adopt her. Heck, we would’ve just had her take the Horwich surname!”

Merrick took a sip of the warm milk and continued, “But then the test results came back a perfect match, so we breathed a sigh of relief. Fast forward, Elara’s research got some recognition, and with some internal hiccups in the organization, they insisted on proving her parents were really hers.”

Merrick started cursing up a storm at this point. “Turns out after redoing the paternity test. she’s not a Schnabel kid at all!”

“How could the results have matched back then?” asked Noella.

Merrick was fuming just thinking about it. “Guess what? That doctor saw the mismatch, thought for sure we’d abandon Elara. He figured the kid was innocent and needed a home, so he went ahead and fudged the results! Talk about a bonehead move!”

Noella was just speechless. She’d thought of many scenarios but never guessed it was such a mix–up. But how did they end up swapped in the first place? They’d probably have to track down the head of Heartfelt Orphanage to get that story!

“If not for that mess, Elara might’ve found her real parents by now, and you wouldn’t have had to rough it out there.” Merrick said, tears welling up in his eyes, patting Noella’s hand, filled with regret.

“Grandpa, the grandma who adopted me treated me well, and Elara had a good life in the Schnabel family.”

Palmer listened quietly to the grandfather–granddaughter talk, only speaking up after the old man turned away to wipe his tears.

“If Elara needs help finding her family, Noella, make sure to let me know. The Pollack Group has got some solid connections.”

Merrick snorted, “Why ask? If you really cared, you’d have done something yourself! You trying to make Noella owe you one? Typical Pollack, all high and mighty, no class.”

Noella just rolled her eyes. “Yes, got it! But you know, our family’s way of doing things isn’t half bad. If you are curious, you can chat with my granddad. He’d be more than welcoming.”

12:48

Chapter 62

“Forget it, why would I want to see him? At this point, I’m half in the grave; I’m not looking to pick a fight!”

thinking about Sexton’s face made Merrick uncomfortable. Seeing him, you

“Noella, remember to come home this weekend. I’ve got a favor to ask. I’m beat, gonna head up and hit the hay.”

“Sure, got it.”

short chat. After greeting a few acquaintances at the party, he

and Palmer escorted Noella away, striding up to the Rolls Royce parked at the pier and sliding into the

night was deep; apart from the brightly lit yacht, the rest of the open sea

was surrounded by

by Thorpe, obviously taken as his bargaining

like a hawk eyeing the hunter in the dark! “Mr. Thorpe, I’d advise you to let her go now. If you think you can walk out of Harmonia Country with a Schnabel, you’re signing your own death

squinted, eyeing Jasper

court. You think you can stop

certain this woman had to be the Phantom Surgeon Lunaris he was after! He’d risked it all coming

her slip away!

tonight, maybe hit the shops and grab

just couldn’t do anything

Schnabels. Leave her be, or don’t blame me for not playing

mouth was gagged with a foul rag, tears streaming down her face.

and make some cash.

one cared what she wanted. Thorpe found her too annoying and knocked her out

shirt’s buttons and slipped off

out by Noella; he’d hate to get

brow, and said, “Looks like Bro Jasper’s about to

Noella just sighed.

younger than you.”

brother. That makes him my

just a title. If it made her happy, then it was a good

own rules, and she

let Jasper and Thorpe come to blows.

list, so Jasper didn’t stand a chance against

him.

by and watch Jasper get into trouble right before