The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 80

Merrick and Freya were making such a big deal about taking photos with Noella, as if they were more excited than if they finished novels or won science awards. They even dug out their wedding outfits to snap pics with her.

Freya’s rocking this burgundy silk dress, and man, she’s still got it all grace and poise. The dress just added to her charm.

Merrick’s suit was an oldie but goodie, with a well–preserved fleur–de–lis brooch adding a touch. of scholarly kindness.

Noella, sandwiched between the two old–timers, snapped their first group selfie.

Freya was over the moon, and she waved at Tristan and Sienna, who look like they were about to drool with envy.

They were practically itching to jump in and take pics with their daughter.

away

Last time at the birthday bash, they were so busy clicking at their girl that they totally spaced on getting a group shot. Now they were kicking themselves over it.

“Come on, get in here. We’ll photoshop Stirling and Elara in later.”

The whole family ended up taking a bunch of photos together.

Merrick couldn’t wait to switch his profile pic to the selfie with Noella. He hightailed it to chat with Marcel, “Whoa, why did I change my profile pic? Can’t quite make out who’s in it, can you?” Marcel was in the middle of a chess game with Sexton, and when he saw that message, he was so close to flipping out. “That sly old fox’s showing off his pic with Noella, huh? Just wait until she visits me in the hospital. I’ll get my photo op too!”

Seeing Noella all cozy with Merrick in the photo, Marcel was getting all choked up.

Why didn’t he think to take a pic with his granddaughter?

Now he’s just got to sit there and watch Merrick strut his stuff!

In the Schnabel family group chat, Beckett ‘accidentally‘ dropped à ton of Noella’s pics. including the fresh ones they just took.

Ulrich: [Noella’s looking adorable. That outfit’s perfect on her. Grandma doing okay? I’ll swing by after my surgery.]

Stirling: [What’s the deal here? Why didn’t we take any when I was home?!]

Elara: [No biggie, I got Photoshop.]

She played it cool, but she quickly edited herself into the group shot and uploaded it to the chat.

12:22

(Fake is fake, drop the act. You’re probably

I can’t stand to leave you, my

calmed her down, “Sis, I’ll swing by Emerald County when

take photos with you too!” Elara

we’ll take

up. She was pleased as punch and dropped the

chat.

Stirling was livid.

up drama to get sympathy from our sis. Right, Ulrich?] He furiously typed.

even bothering with their group chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I wanna take photos with

“Sure.”

the Schnabels‘ photo requests, Noella breathed

in the Lambert days, she hardly ever took pics and didn’t

treasured this one photo of her as a kid. And when she was laid to rest, that photo went with her into the

at the photo of Noella’s sweet, gentle smile, sneaking a tear wipe when no one’s watching and planting a kiss on

flowing through her heart

act.

“I take you to check out the

“Sure.” She answered.

heard him humming a tune. Sounding like he’s in a particularly good mood.

to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he

an elevator accident at the mall, and

12-22

he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be if someone did that for you if you

and Mom just broke down and got ill. Elara’s great, but we

a smile too, “Yeah, I know. I’m happy

hair, “Elara once came to me, said she’d leave the Schnabels once you were back. But she dropped the idea as she thought that the elders wouldn’t let her go.”

the Schnabels at first, so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still a family

moved and reassured as he pinched Noella’s

true Schnabel

a few scolding lines of his own, telling

a stream of crying emojis.

you scold me, Beckett? You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love each other. You are the only

phone and felt a throb

couldn’t help but curse with a chuckle, “What a cheeky