The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 23

The four Schnabel brothers widened their eyes.

Elara, you’re totally cheating here!

Ulrich flashed a meaningful smile, his eyes shimmering with ripples like a serene autumn pond, as his gaze landed on the hairpin atop Noella’s head.

On the hairpin he had carved himself, he had also stealthily inscribed: “I love you!”

The butler hurried forward, “Mr. Schnabel, Palmer has sent over two gifts.”

Tristan scratched his head. “Two gifts? Should be one for the elders and one for Noella, right? After all, Noella and him are still engaged. The kid sure knows how to curry favor!”

Sienna looked puzzled. “But Palmer doesn’t know Noella’s back home, so how come he’s sending her a gift?*

The butler explained, “One’s for you, Mr. and Mrs. Schnabel, and one for Ulrich, as a thank–you for saving Sexton Pollack.”

“When did I save Sexton?”

Noella knew full well that the gift from the Pollack family was meant for her but they mistook Ulrich for her.

She discreetly tugged Ulrich’s hand and whispered, “Ulrich, just take it.”

Ulrich’s heart nearly melted when a soft little hand gripped his suddenly!

Thinking it over, since Noella had been at the hospital lately, she might know the scoop. Tossing all rational thought aside, Ulrich, with a genteel smile, played along. “That was me. I helped Sexton with a prescription before. Mr. Pollack is too kind.”

Sienna playfully scolded, “You didn’t even give us a heads–up. You almost had me thinking Mr. Pollack got the wrong person. We’ve invited Mr. Pollack to Noella’s birthday party; they can meet the kids then!”

Noella was confused. What’s that got to do with me? Engagement? When?”

Seeing how the Schnabels were all hyped up, Noella didn’t have the heart to burst their bubble.

Imperial West Hospital, patient room

Yvonne, holding a nourishing tonic soup, took her sweet time fixing up her look outside Sexton’s

room.

“Palmy, this is the soup I made for…”

Inside, Palmer was locked in a standoff with Sexton over taking his medicine.

Chapter 23

“I’m not taking It! There’s nothing wrong with me, and it was the wrong meds last time that made me sick! They are all bad stuff, out to get mel”

Palmer was helpless.

to be tampered with last time,

line just for you, and I personally oversaw it, so it’s all

I won’t

ignored, promptly stepped forward, her hat adorned with a massive cluster of artificial flowers screaming for attention, and her skirt supported by a huge crinoline that required her to sidle through the door, with an

a

Ms.

was like a psychedelic trip! And it was a hospital, not

young lady, how could

clean, neat look.

no–go zone.

“Ms. Schnabel, would you mind changing into something more appropriate? Your outfit isn’t quite fitting for

haughtily lifted her chin, sizing up Annie who stood a head taller in

Who’s this chick?

criticize my careful selection

Annie’s supermodel–like face and figure, scoffing. “And who are you, some random chick? Worthy

Schnabel, you’re a woman too, so how can you endorse such workplace gender

Palmer’s fiancée, the future

Annie was flabbergasted!

even gotten married, yet Yvonne was like this, what if she actually married Mr. Pollack? That would plunge the entire

glanced at Yvonne and saw a colorful blob

12:22

“And you are?”

Annie aside, fawning over him. “Grandpa Sexton, I’m Yvonne from the

eyes drying out looking at her glistening lids. “Yvonne? Never heard of a Schnabel granddaughter by

Sexton didn’t recognize her.

gaze was icy, devoid of

saved you last time.”

popped out in disbelief. “What? No, no, no, definitely not her. The one who saved me was way prettier, had better taste. It was definitely not this peacock…”

as her

I really am Professor Calvin’s student, and I know how to take care of your grandfather, so let me stay and look

aura as formidable as

don’t you ever come back to see my grandfather again. You and I have

How could

your fiancée…”

eyes deep and dark, “A mere adopted daughter of the Schnabel family dares to call herself my fiancée? Since

world did Palmer get wind of

freaking out! “I truly love you, Palmer, and I’m the one who’s meant to

up. scooped up Yvonne in a sideways hold because of

Sexton could enjoy some peace

quieter, and a real whiz at chess too. What was her

had been a bit spotty since his surgery. He was probably talking about Elara, the national youth chess champion from a