The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 87

“Grandpa knows how long I slaved over that painting, and even if sis took over the gallery, she can’t just chuck it out like that. I know she’s always treated me like I don’t belong, like I’m the black sheep of the family, and it’s all my fault.”

Seeing Yvonne sobbing her heart out, Tristan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy, “Chill out. Yvonne. Let’s wait for Noella to get back and we’ll get the lowdown on the whole thing.”

Yvonne was almost beside herself with frustration.

Just wait till that bumpkin shows up and see what she has to say! She thought.

If the Schnabel family got wind that she’s targeting me on purpose, they’d kick her out on her ear for sure.

An hour later. Palmer parked the car at the gates of the Horwich Mansion.

“I can’t stick around for a visit today: got a bit of a situation at the office. Apologize to your grandpa and grandma for me, will ya?”

Noella nodded at the car door, “Yeah, don’t sweat it about dropping by for grub when you’re swamped. We can catch up on the blower if anything’s up.”

Deep down she knew Palmer’s recent busyness was all about carving out time to meet up with Thorpe.

Now that she’s set on meeting Thorpe, having the folks from Polaris Star and Obelisk Organization in her corner was enough. She’d be ready for whatever came her way.

Palmer, lounging in the plush car seat, caught wind of her words and suddenly lifted his gaze. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the girl before him, “I wanna be there with you.”

He’d been burning the midnight oil and crunching financial statements while waiting for her–all just to spend time with her.

After all this time together, Palmer had a pretty good read on his fiancée’s temperament.

“The gifts for my grandpa and grandma will be delivered. You go on in.” Noella, under his intense gaze, felt her cheeks heat up and turned to enter the Horwich Mansion.

Only after her figure had vanished behind the doors did Palmer start up the car engine and leave the Horwich Mansion.

Sienna spotted Noella walking in and immediately went to greet her, “Sweetheart, did you eat your fill tonight? Mr. Pollack called to say you dined together, so we didn’t save dinner for you. Want me to whip up something?”

Noella was touched that Palmer had even thought to give Sienna a heads–up, “I’m good, no need to cook.”

a few times, but there was no sign of

1/4

12:24

Chapter 87

him in for a quick drink

so he had headed back to

but hearing that Palmer had

Noella, it was clear Palmer was

was also quite

super protective of the girl by his side–that look in his eyes was unmistakable. It was just like

and glanced at Yvonne, who was still perched on the sofa, “Noella, Yvonne’s saying

“The painting was a copy and shouldn’t be hanging in the original section. I had the gallery manager take care of it. The so–called ‘creator‘ insists it’s original,

painting was

perfect composition and lighting. Yvonne really didn’t have the aesthetic

lip, looking forlorn, “Why do you get to say it’s a copy? It’s really my own creation. If you don’t want my stuff in your

frowned slightly. Was she implying she’d been

fuss over a painting that was actually still hanging in her study, using such a flimsy excuse to smear her seemed downright petty.

Portray‘ is by Master Killian. Your painting just so happens to

paintings hanging in Noella’s study. She thought her daughter liked oil paintings and had specially ordered several of Master Killian’s pieces to surprise Noella.

Yvonne’s eyes bulged!

was in

Impossible!

name the painting–Yvonne had seen it once at a private exhibition

12:24

Chapter 87

remembered it.

Noella, or else how could that bumpkin get ahold of a

contorted with jealousy.

between the ever–composed Noella and the wide–eyed, agitated Yvonne, and his suspicions were confirmed, “Alright, Yvonne, you should head off. Your dad said he’d give you his small gallery. If you like

Merrick refused to belleve

it just because they