The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 14

The auctioneer was all chuckles as he wielded the tiny gavel.

“Up next, an open piece of Intel: Cerulean Whale’s launching a crackdown on Obelisk Organization and Abyssal Organization, and they’re stirring the pot in Imperial City.

Starting bid: three million dollars.

Sure, the headline was on the house, but if they wanted the nitty–gritty, they got to bid.

Noella couldn’t care less about Cerulean Whale gunning for her crew. Bring it on, who’s eating who was still up in the air.

She had been knee–deep in the gem gambling biz for the past couple of years, letting her hitman outfit grow like wildfire, and without much fuss, it became one of the deep web’s big three.

What piqued her interest was Cerulean Whale’s shenanigans in Imperial City, and if she wasn’t barking up the wrong tree, it likely involved Marcel.

She had to snag this info!

Cerulean Whale attacked Marcel right under her nose, could she even show her face around?

Noella raised her paddle. “Three million and ten grand, name’s Wise Fool.”

The crowd was like, “Say what now?”

Three million and ten grand was chump change, but that moniker made everyone else put their paddles down!

Even the auctioneer was speechless.

They were hoping to rake in tens of millions for this juicy tidbit, but with Wise Fool in the house, who would dare to bid against her?

In VIP Room No. 9, Palmer was taken aback, setting his paddle aside,as well.

Looked like it was her he was up against earlier. Since she was interested in that last piece of intel, his three million wasn’t spent in vain.

With that thought, Palmer leaned back, a sly grin spreading across his face.

He had scoured every nook and cranny of the Radi Building for Noella to no avail. Wise Fool wasn’t one to be easily tracked down.

With Wise Fool throwing her hat in the ring, the room went quiet as a mouse, letting her walk away with the news.

“Congrats to Wise Fool. Sold for three million and ten grand!”

The auctioneer was grinning from ear to ear. “Up next, a little freebie for y’all: Gemstone

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Chapter 14

Gambling King is teaming up with some families for a public gem gamble next month. Don’t

miss out.”

Noella was confused.

in a mystery, whose casual toss of a rock always turned

a public appearance? News to her.

swiped her

is sending a hitman after General Marcel again tomorrow,

beat–up Volkswagen was about as low–profile

by the car as soon as she

face all lit up with a welcoming

surprised, Noella approached and quipped, “What, you moonlighting

skeptical gaze.

info she had just dug

got tangled in

well to survive the cutthroat underworld of the

give you a lift?”

ride’s a ride, and it would be a nice gesture to support Palmer’s “side hustle“, Noella hopped in

you, in case you fancy joining

know

welcome gifts after they had already

little box with the intel.

all that cash on this? How

for an Uber driver was new. Palmer felt a mixed bag of emotions,

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Chapter 14

Organization. He could make a killing with just one job on

intel just for me? What if I don’t want to join

gift’s worth is in the joy it brings. If it makes you happy, that’s its true value. Everything else is

so much cash just to cheer her

holding the box

like this on girls?”

moment, then said, “You’re the first. I never gave gifts to ladies, except for my mom, back when she was around. She

memories and quickly apologized, “Sorry. Didn’t

So, does my gift make you

Noella was dumbstruck.

kind of thing point–blank?

got

folks from the slums didn’t get the concept of subtlety? Did they have to wear all their emotions on

shooters, always fearing they might not get another

mind, Noella stifled the oddly

“Yeah, happy.”

smile deepened, and Noella, feeling her face heat up, quickly looked

getting hot in here!

moment before opening her message box right in front of

are the same person who had dealings with Vincent, a merchant from Tranquility City, before

How did he get