The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Meeting Noella's slightly amused gaze, Palmer was briefly taken aback.

A bet about him?

"Me?"

"I've met your father before, out on the borderlands."

At this, Palmer furrowed his brows slightly, his gaze landing on Emeric as if trying to figure out why he would show up at the borderlands.

In Palmer’s memory, ever since his mother passed away, Emeric had been wandering, hardly ever involving himself in the affairs of the Pollack family or any of his brothers.

"I guess Mr. Pollack showed up at the borderlands looking for clues about your mother's case."

Palmer's expression hardened a bit, his view of Emeric shifting slightly.

Noella continued, "That period was exactly when the Abyssal Organization was most active along the borderlands. Mr. Pollack must have been quietly helping you, doing what you wanted to do."

The time Emeric spent at the borderlands coincided with the silent growth of the Abyssal Organization there! Being a Pollack, he must have known Palmer was there too!

Noella roughly matched up the timeline, looking towards Emeric, who still wore a gentle smile.

A man who'd dive into a demolition site to save a few kids couldn’t be all bad!

"Mr. Pollack said, even if I told you, you wouldn't believe he actually cares about you. I guess Mr. Pollack has always been concerned about your mother's issue, just never told you."

Palmer was somewhat shocked! He looked at Emeric, who stood with one hand in his pocket, still looking like a wanderer, with a hint of a rich alcoholic scent about him, and graying at the temples.

Emeric turned his face away, slightly uncomfortable. "Don't speculate. What I do has nothing to do with you!"

"Why not say it?"

"Do I need to report my actions to my son? Just mind your own business!"

Palmer's expression turned cold. "Then you didn't have to secretly do things you thought were for my good. Neither the Abyssal Organization nor the Pollack Group needs your meddling! And as for Mom's case, I will investigate it myself; there’s no need for your concern!"

"What I do, is that any of your business?"

The atmosphere between father and son was tense!

Every time they met, Emeric and Palmer could hardly exchange a few words without ending up in a heated argument.

Noella gently tugged at Palmer's sleeve. "Your mother is watching. Let's not fight now."

The anger in Palmer seemed to vanish in an instant at Noella's touch, as if the man who had just been as cold as ice wasn't him!

Emeric, seeing this, knew his son probably met his match in this girl. He then looked at Noella, chuckling, "Smart girl. But I thought you'd keep those things from Palmer."

After all, Noella had also been active on the borderlands. Emeric had assumed most girls would avoid bringing up such a past to spare their beloved from needless worry!

Noella smiled lightly. "What I did isn't something that needs to be hidden. Besides, Palmer knows more about my activities on the borderlands than you do."

"Are you trying to mend the relationship between me and Palmer? It's a futile effort!"

Noella shook her head. "How you and Palmer stand is none of my business. I'm not him, nor do I have the right to excuse your actions on his behalf! But as for that bet, consider it won by me!"

Emeric was clearly not expecting Noella to be this kind of person. Unlike the girls he had met before, it's no wonder Palmer was so invested. Poised, logical, sharp-tongued without being overly sympathetic, truly a child of the Schnabel family, hard to dislike.

Emeric glanced at Palmer, who looked displeased, and huffed. "Jacob told me you haven't won her over yet. With a face that sour, if I were this girl, I wouldn't want to deal with you either."

Such words were not typical of what a father might say to his youngest son.

Palmer's expression was unreadable, his gaze towards Emeric as still as stagnant water.

Their relationship was indeed at its worst!

Noella realized then, Emeric was the kind of person better off silent; despite his deep concern for Palmer, he seemed to fear his son's acknowledgment of his good deeds.

Truly... an odd man.

Elara couldn't help but exclaim, "I used to think Palmer was twisted, but now I see his dad's personality is the truly twisted one."

Compared to Emeric, Palmer was practically sunny!

After speaking, Emeric moved ahead to talk quietly with Sexton, his demeanor exuding a sense of detachment. As if everything concerning the Pollack family had nothing to do with him! He appeared here today solely because of the person in the hall. It was for the departed loved one that Emeric returned to this cold home. After today, he would still remain detached from the Pollack family!

A young man in a suit approached Noella, holding several exquisite boxes.

"I'm Palmer's eldest brother, Quinlan Pollack. This is a welcome gift for Ms. Elara, and this one's for our future sister-in-law. This one's from me, and the other's from Palmer's another brother. Please, feel free to accept them!"

Taking the boxes from Quinlan, Noella thanked him and opened them to find two identically carved jade pieces!

Both carvings were incredibly lifelike.

Elara, astonished, said, "Why do these look like they're crafted by Master Sylvie?"

Quinlan offered a mild smile. "I carved it myself. My idol is the renowned sculptor, Master Sylvie. It's hard not to see some of Master Sylvie’s influence in my work. Sorry, I guess I just like to dabble in things that aren't exactly my job."

Noella was taken aback. She never expected Palmer's older brother to be this kind of person. One could tell a lot about someone from their sculptures. Quinlan was quiet and reserved, yet seemed to hold all his emotions tightly within himself! Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

Elara quickly shook her head. "Oh no, we're happy to accept it. Thank you so much."

Quinlan nodded slightly, then turned to Palmer. "Don't take what Dad said to heart."

Palmer's face remained expressionless. "My shoulders aren't broad enough to carry all that nonsense."

If he really took Emeric's words to heart, he'd have been driven mad by now!

A commotion came from outside the funeral hall.

"Come on, old man, how can you not invite us on such a big occasion?"

Several cars parked outside the Pollack ancestral home, and a group of middle-aged men stepped out.

Larson was at the back, his smile sinister as he looked at the Pollack family members.

Sexton spoke with a cold stare, "Today is a family matter. You are not welcome. Please leave."

"Sexton, that's not the way to talk. After all, it's the Pollack family's daughter-in-law holding the ceremony, and we're part of the Pollack family too. How come we can't be here?"

"And look, you have outsiders here as well." Peregrine Pollack scanned the people present, his gaze finally landing on Noella and Elara. "I don't recall when Ms. Schnabel became related to the Pollack family!"