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 the jewelry game, a riddle wrapped in a mystery, whose casual toss of a rock always turned

public appearance? News

center, swiped her card, and got

is sending a hitman after General Marcel again tomorrow, the price tag: a

about as low–profile as it gets, clearly showing its age.

the car as

refined and handsome face all lit up with

“What, you moonlighting as an

smile stiffening before meeting Noella’s skeptical gaze. Those eyes of his

glanced at his ride, recalling the info she had just dug up about the

folks either got tangled in scams or dabbled in

had done well to survive the cutthroat underworld

if I give you a

ride’s a ride, and it would be a nice gesture to support Palmer’s “side hustle“, Noella hopped in without much fuss.

a welcome gift for you, in

know how

after they had already met a few

a little box with the

in VIP Room No. 9? Why drop all that cash on this? How many Ubers do you need to drive

a mixed bag of emotions, hinting, “I’ve got a

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Chapter 14

got it then; the guy was the head honcho of Abyssal Organization. He could make a killing with just one

if I

it makes you happy,

so much cash just to cheer

her hands holding the box heat

splurge like this on

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

quickly apologized, “Sorry.

my gift make

Noella was dumbstruck.

asks that kind of thing

speechless when she got presents from the

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

they were straight shooters, always fearing

that in mind, Noella stifled the

“Yeah, happy.”

her face heat

it’s getting hot in here!

for a moment before opening her message box right in front

head of Tandy Hospital and the director of Heartfelt Orphanage are the same person who had dealings

he get mixed up in this?