The Killer Queen

Vincent bolted upright from his hospital bed, a sense of urgency propelling him.

“Officer, that graveyard is ours, fair and square. It’s my mother’s final resting place, and every neighbor around here can vouch for that!”

The officer pulled out some official documents. “Legally, the rights to that plot belong to Martin. It’s his private property, and you’re suspected of illegally trespassing.” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Frantically. Vincent grabbed the documents from the officer’s hand, only to realize that not just the graveyard, but the entire hillside belonged to Martin! They had been trespassing the moment they set foot on that hill.

Vincent turned to Zachary, who was equally stunned. “So, you’re telling me you didn’t buy the land?”

Zachary erupted into a tirade. “Damn it, why the hell would I want anything to do with your family’s graveyard?”

“That doesn’t add up. Then why would you suddenly show up at my mom’s grave?”

“How should I know! Officer, I want to file a report too. I was visiting my own family’s graves back home, and the next thing I know, I wake up in the Lambert family’s plot, nearly buried alive in a coffin!”

The officer looked at Zachary as if he were looking at an idiot. “Our investigation reveals that you drove here to Linefort City overnight and ended up in Martin’s plot.”

Did Zachary really think they were fools? They had checked the surveillance footage in advance, and it clearly showed Zachary sneaking from his family’s graveyard to Linefort City.

Zachary was dumbstruck!

How could he have driven to Linefort City himself? He didn’t remember a thing!

Vincent, upon hearing this, wished he could leap up and slap Zachary,

“I knew it! You’ve always been after my family’s land!”

Vincent’s mind raced. Unwilling to give up, he turned to the officer. “Do you have any solid evidence of us breaking in? If not, even if you take us in, the worst we’d get is a fine and then be sent on our way.”

“Two sets of ashes were found in the grave, belonging to your wife Belinda’s grandparents. We’ve also got footage of you entering and exiting the plot, so you’re coming with us.”

Vincent was dumbfounded!

There were cameras around the graveyard besides the patrol guards?

Sure, there were ashes, but shouldn’t they belong to his mother, Old Mrs. Lambert? How did

they become Belinda’s grandparents‘?

Vincent suddenly remembered Linsey mentioning that Belinda had been sending money to the Fuller family every month.

When had they swapped the ashes in the Lambert graveyard? So, all this time, the good fortune of the land had been blessing the Fuller family?

The more Vincent thought about it, the more it made sense. The Fuller family took the Lambert family’s fortune, and Belinda took the money from his wallet, all to honor the Fuller family!

Fuming, Vincent said, “Fine, officer, I’ll come with you!”

Belinda and her parents were still at the station, and he had to confront them face to face!

Seeing Vincent comply, Zachary begrudgingly got out of bed and followed the officer out. Linsey strutted out, smirking at Briony, then turned on her heel and left with Milford.

Briony, tears brimming in her eyes, bit her lip and decided to follow.

A nurse stopped her, “Ms. Lambert, you haven’t settled the medical bills yet. Please come with me to take care of it.”

Medical bills?

Vincent was stingy with everyone but himself, and the allowance he gave her was meager, so she only had a small amount of money on her,

Reluctantly, Briony followed the nurse and gasped when she saw the bill. “How could it be so much?”

“The bills include Mr. Lambert and Mr. Rosenberg’s expenses–emergency services, ICU, private room, and personal care.”

Why should she pay for the Rosenberg family’s bills?

Vincent and Zachary had used the best services, racking up tens of thousands. She didn’t have that kind of money.

“Why should I pay for these people I don’t even know?”

The young nurse gave Briony a strange look. “Their family said you’re their daughter–in–law and responsible for the bills.”

That’s why they left so quickly–to stick her with the bill!

With contempt in her eyes, the nurse said, “You’re not trying to skip out on the bills, are you? Dressed all proper, but acting like this… No wonder you have issues with your in–laws.”

Briony’s issues were laid bare, her face burning with embarrassment. She clenched her teeth and paid the bills with her savings, feeling as though she was bleeding money.

Meanwhile, Ulrich leaned against a car outside the parking lot, dialing his brother Jasper’s number.

10.15

“I’ve got them locked up. Vincent had no clue that hill had been designated a nature reserve, Plus, with their grave–robbing and property damage, a little time behind bars won’t hurt them.”

“Since when was that hill a nature reserve?” asked Ulrich.

Jasper shrugged. “Well, I might have pulled a few strings the other day.”

As a lawyer, Jasper knew how to play it safe and get people locked up.

Ulrich glanced at a report in his hand. “No need for a long sentence. They’ll be out on medical bail soon enough. Let them find their own doctor to drain their wallets.”

According to the medical records, Vincent and Zachary were critically ill, and their current assets would barely cover their healthcare costs, let alone save their lives.

Jasper idly played with an orchid on his desk. “Oh, that medical report? That was just a ruse to fool them. Our brother Beckett’s idea.”

The plan, courtesy of Beckett, was to drive Zachary and Vincent to financial ruin, letting therm await death in despair, only to discover they weren’t sick at all.

“They think they’re sick, they’re gonna be on pins and needles every single day, scared to death, full of anxiety. Heck, with all that stress, it’d be a miracle if they didn’t actually get sick.”

Ulrich caught on to Beckett’s scheme and nodded in agreement. “We better keep this under wraps from Noella, to save her from another headache with the Lamberts.”

“Don’t you worry, we’ll keep it zipped. Beckett wouldn’t dream of spilling the beans.”

Poised to take the reins of the Schnabel Group, Beckett was a man with more tricks up his sleeve than a street magician. He definitely wouldn’t burden his little sister with this mess!

Meanwhile, Noella picked up her phone to answer a call from Beckett.

“Hey, Beckett, what’s up?”

“The graveyard issue’s been dealt with. If the Lambert folks come knocking, just ignore ‘em.” Noella’s curiosity was piqued. Last time, Beckett mentioned leaving a little ‘surprise‘ for Vincent at the graveyard. What could it be?

Beckett chuckled, a sound that carried a sense of satisfaction.

After hearing Beckett’s explanation, Noella’s mouth dropped open in amazement.

“What? So, you’re saying you managed to trap Zachary in a tomb just for the Lamberts to dig him out?”

The mere thought sent a shiver down her spine. Vincent was already a scaredy–cat; this would give him nightmares for weeks.

“Yeah, and I even dropped off a couple of ‘medical reports‘ for them. Ulrich and Jasper thought we should keep you out of it, but I believe you deserve to know.”

10:15

His voice was gentle, and Noella could almost see Beckett’s warm smile through the phone,

“As a member of the Schnabel family too, I believe you aren’t some delicate flower. Anything you want to know, just ask, and I’ll tell you.”

Even if Beckett hadn’t told her, Noella had her ways of finding out, but feeling valued and respected by her family still warmed her heart.

She hadn’t anticipated that Beckett would consider her feelings over such a trivial matter!

“I got it, thanks. Beckett.”