The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 86

“Craving anything to munch on?” he asked.

“Nah.”

Palmer got the hint and gestured for Annie to steer the car towards a downtown eatery.

“Into painting, are you? Prefer oil or sketch? Got a few decent pieces back at mine, could owing them by next time.”

“I’m more into oils. Don’t bother, I’m swamped with paintings as it is.” She said.

Master Killian must churn out a gazillion paintings for her each year, and Ivan, Killian’s star pupil leaves his works lying around Polaris Star’s lab like they’re going out of style.

“So spill. What’s your jam?” Palmer requested.

Noella couldn’t help but look up at Palmer with a puzzled look.

The guy was a mix of suave and ice–cold, one glance and you’d peg him as a ruthless ruler with a heart of stone. Yet, when he peered at her, all you could see was this uncontrollable tenderness.

Those deep and piercing eyes carried a touch frosty, while his whole vibe screamed a chilled elegance. And there, at his cuffs, a pair of ruby cufflinks added him an extra layer of posh.

“Why the sudden interest in my likes?” she asked.

“I could play the guessing game with your preferences, but hitting the nail on the head with gifts. is always a win. Plus, I wanna get to know you better.” Palmer whipped off his glasses that were perched on his prominent nose and put them aside casually.

Without the barrier of lenses, he could gaze more intently into Noella’s crystal–clear eyes.

“Before I knew you were my fiancée, prying into your likes might’ve! can, I’d rather hear it from you than through the grapevine.”

Under his intense gaze, it was like she could see a vast starry sky.

“Got it.” She nodded.

Now

you are itching to figure me out, there are plenty of ways. I’m an

pursed her lips, glancing at Palmer, “Saw this morning’s gossip rag tagging you

smile froze instantly. Tabloid journos always

actually bought that spiel, he’d be up incapable of defending

on Noella’s lips.

action as she watched her boss get cornered, “Miss,

13:24

Chapter 66

Pollack, and they were at the Pollack Group’s hotel. We’ll handle that media mess, so

Palmer. She just got a kick out

squirm.

be spooked because they’re

muster a smile. She never wanted to meet his family.

family dinner, and with Noella unable to get a word in edgewise, she just let

Horwich Mansion

bawling her eyes out. Her tears were flowing like a faucet as she said, “Grandpa, I never wanted to compete with Noella! But she’s just too much. She tossed out the painting I slaved over

Yvonne’s dedication to that piece and

tossed it, there must be

the gallery and wasn’t about to meddle. Whatever she wanted to do was fine

getting edgy, “Yvonne, the gallery’s Noella’s now. Our hands are tied. Here’s what we’ll do:

in

wasn’t even a tenth

off with

the prime gallery,

that’s not what I meant. I just want an explanation. She’s being unfair to me. Is she holding a grudge? That painting was my heart and soul. Grandpa’s an artist: surely he understands the significance of a work. If she

it off as if it were nothing. “Noella can do