The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Noella's affirmative response was reflected in Palmer's smile, mirrored in the pristine glass window. His voice, deep and seductive, wrapped around her, "Let's not make a fuss this time, but next time, I hope you'll remember what you've promised me. Even if it's just sharing a meal, I'll be looking forward to it."

The mere thought of dining with Noella made him patient enough to endure the tedious company partners. He found himself browsing through the trendiest spots where the local youngsters liked to hang out for dates. But before he knew it, she had slipped away from Imperial City.

What a heartless little thing she was! Did she really think it was just about a meal?

Deep down, Palmer knew it was probably because his lady hadn't taken him to heart yet. That was why the things he asked for could be so easily forgotten. That realization left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

Noella touched her nose, not sure if she felt embarrassed or guilty.

"I get it. It was my fault this time. When I'm back, I'll make it up to you."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Noella glanced at the call log on her phone. When exactly had it become a daily routine for him to call her? Was the CEO of the Pollack Group really that free?

She put her phone down and took out the watch she had borrowed from Palmer. She promised him to send it back after some modification. Since now she got nothing to do, seemed like the perfect time to get to it.

Wren, watching Noella's concentrated profile in the rear-view mirror, thought how serene and elegant she was. She exuded the composed grace of a lady born into high society. The memory of

what had happened at Imperial West Hospital made Wren's blood boil.

"Ms. Schnabel, if you ever run into the Lamberts, please don't reveal your identity to them. They're nothing but greedy. I used to think they were good to you, but I was clearly mistaken."

"The Lamberts?"

Wren recounted the encounter with Vincent at the hospital. "If you see them, don't give them the time of day!"

Noella nodded, fitting the last component back into the watch. The refurbished men's watch was a masterpiece of understated luxury, its diamonds full and dazzling. It suited Palmer to a T.

Wren continued to caution, "I don't think they caught your birthday live stream; they probably don’t know who you really are."

If Vincent knew that Noella was the daughter of the nation's wealthiest family, he'd lose his mind!

Families like the Schnabels kept their wealth shrouded in mystery. They never appeared on those rich lists because they chose not to.

Someone like Vincent, with his greedy and petty nature, would surely try to bleed her dry if he found out. Noella must never let him know.

Noella smiled softly, nodding her agreement, "It's fine. Whether they know or not, I have nothing to do with them now."

Ever since she learned her grandmother had no ties to the Lambert family, Noella had felt at ease. She had never had much regard for the Lamberts; it was all for her grandmother's sake, not wanting to cause her distress. But her grandmother knew everything.

Noella glanced at the delicate jade bracelet on her wrist, a piece so exquisite that a similar one had fetched seven hundred grand at auction last year.

Wren saw that Noella had things under control and relaxed. He just worried that Ms. Schnabel's kindness might be taken advantage of and that the Lambert family could hurt her.

As the car stopped at the lab entrance in Emerald County, Elara, having heard the news, dashed down from her lab and enveloped Noella in a tight hug as soon as she stepped out.

"Noella! You finally came to visit me!"

Elara looked pale, with dark circles under her eyes, clearly the result of too many late nights. But the sight of Noella made her face light up with joy.

"Elara, I brought you lots of things. Mom prepared them all for you."

Noella gestured to the bags and packages piled behind her. Sienna had packed the car full, all for Elara.

"Awesome! Mom sent me pickles!" Elara looped an arm around Noella's neck, calling for her assistant to bring in the goodies. "Come on, let me show you around. These breeding grounds are part of our lab."

Elara led Noella towards the breeding area with pride, "Just between us, some of this is edible!"

Noella couldn't help but smile. Even if it was edible, Elara must be sick of seeing these things every day.

"How's everything at home?"

Noella shared the recent events with Elara, picking and choosing the details. Elara was taken aback.

"Noella, slow down, let me process this...there's so much to take in. I don't know whether to be more shocked about Grandpa and Grandma getting a divorce, or that Grandma isn't Dad's real mom, or that Grandma ended up in the ICU because of Yvonne!"

All these revelations had Elara's jaw dropping. She could hardly believe the drama unfolding at home. She hadn’t been away that long, and so much had happened. Bravo, indeed.

"Elara, why did our family take in Yvonne?"

"Oh, that? Back then, Grandma Ashlyn...I mean, Ashlyn was sick and had a dream about God sending her a child of fortune. Then she found Yvonne abandoned on the street and insisted that she was the child sent by God. She was adamant about adopting her." NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

Elara shrugged helplessly.

“Well, if she wants to adopt, let her be. It's just another mouth to feed, and we can afford it. Besides, ever since she took in Yvonne, she's been less of a bother to Mom, so I guess it's a good thing.”

Noella frowned slightly, "Picked up from the street?"

"That's what grandma says, but I think..." Elara lowered her voice, hooking her arm around Noella's neck, and whispered conspiratorially into her ear, "For all we know, Yvonne might be Grandma's secret love child! She's awfully sweet on her, even more than she is with us."

Noella stared at Elara, speechless, "She's Ashlyn's biological granddaughter."

She handed Elara a paternity test report, the results clear at a glance. Elara's mouth dropped open.

"This is...just absurd, totally!"

Noella observed Elara in front of her. She wore a well-worn lab coat that had faded to a pale white, her hair simply tied back with the scrunchie Noella had given her. When she reached out, her hands bore thin calluses and even traces of chilblains.

Both daughters of the Schnabel family, Elara lived a life of austerity for the sake of her research. Noella pulled a small box from her bag and handed it to Elara.

"What's this? A present from you?"

"Yes, it's for you. It will help get rid of those calluses and prevent chilblains."

Elara's eyes lit up. She didn't care much for such things, but she was still a girl who loved beauty.

Sometimes the conditions in the lab were far from ideal, requiring her to get hands-on, even working in sub-zero temperatures.

The last time she went back to the Schnabel Mansion, she took great care to hide her hands, not wanting her family to see her wounds. And yet, her little sister had noticed and even prepared a gift in secret.

Oh, how sweet and kind her little sister was!

Touched and filled with warmth, Elara hugged Noella's face and planted a few kisses on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Noella! I love it, love you to bits!"