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, drop the act. You’re probably

fake, so does he want to kick me out? I can’t stand to leave you, my baby girl! Oh well, I guess I’m not really a Schnabel; I deserve this and

I’ll swing by Emerald County when I can. I’ll bring you some treats then.”

with you too!”

we’ll take loads.”

dropped the recording of

chat.

Stirling was livid.

You are stirring up drama to get

chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow?

“Sure.”

through the Schnabels‘ photo requests, Noella breathed a

hardly ever took pics and didn’t have many keepsakes.

she was laid to rest, that photo went with her into the grave. Therefore, Noella didn’t

sweet, gentle smile, sneaking a tear wipe when no one’s watching and planting a kiss on that photo on

warm current flowing through her heart as she sensed Freya’s

act.

offered his hand, “I take you to check out

“Sure.” She answered.

with Beckett, Noella heard him humming a tune. Sounding like he’s in a particularly good mood.

believe it, but our folks weren’t always like this. Dad used to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just changed – no joke, you’d have thought he was

there was an elevator accident at the

12-22

wait with the kid, but no, he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be if someone did that for you if you

One time, Grandma said it was Mom’s fault for losing you, and Mom just broke down and got ill. Elara’s great, but we missed you too. Now you’re here with

silence, Noella cracked a smile too, “Yeah, I know.

said she’d leave the Schnabels once you were back. But she dropped the

she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still a family even if she finds her own,

then moved and reassured as he

best, a true Schnabel through and through!

a few scolding lines of his own, telling Elara to stay put with the Schnabel family because she’ll always be a

quickly bombarded him with a

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

looked at his phone and felt a

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