The Killer Queen

Come home!

Noella felt a tug at her heart and turned to look at Palmer.

The tall and striking man stood under an osmanthus tree, petals from the blossoms fluttering down around him like rain from heaven.

“Did you grow up here?”

“Yeah, I lived here with Grandma before I moved to Tranquility City.”

When she and Old Mrs. Lambert were taken to Tranquility City, Briony was already a part of the household. Not long after, Old Mrs. Lambert fell ill, and Belinda sent her off to the hospital,

where she stayed until the end.

Palmer reached into the car and took out a bouquet.

When had he prepared the flowers? She had no idea!

“You brought these?”

“Of course, it’s the first time I’m meeting Grandma; I want to let her know who I am.”

Palmer had that calm smile on his face, as if he was just doing something that came naturally to him, nothing worth making a fuss about.

“My fiancée has been so busy, so it’s my responsibility to take care of this.”

Visiting Grandma had somehow became his responsibility? It was her family matter, yet here he was, a man who belonged at the top of the world, treating it as his own.

Noella’s heart pounded hard! She took the flower from Palmer, then bowed sincerely in front of Old Mrs. Lambert’s portrait before gently placing it down.

“Grandma, I’m back.”

Noella took out the admission letter she had prepared long ago from her bag and said, “Grandma, I promised you I’d go to the best university. You can rest easy now!”

Old Mrs. Lambert’s lifelong dream was for her to attend college. Despite knowing so little, she wished for nothing but the best for Noella. Though her childhood had been tough, those were the happiest days of Noella’s life!

Palmer knelt down and positioned a photo of him and Noella in front of the flower.

“Grandma, I’m Palmer Pollack, Noella’s fiancé. I promise to take good care of her and give you.

no reason to worry.”

“When did you prepare the photo?”

Palmer smiled and gently touched Noella’s head. His

aves radiated a warmth akin to the

lingering glow of the sunset outside the window.

“For quite some time now, I’ve been meaning to visit Grandma. During that time, I had already thought about what I wanted to say to her. I think it’s important to introduce myself to her as her grandson–in– law. Let’s leave the photo here.”

Maddox stood at the gate of the yard, waving at Noella. “Ms. Noella, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Palmer squeezed Noella’s hand. “Go ahead, I have a few words for Grandma, just between us.”

What could he possibly have to say to Grandma alone?

Noella looked at him, puzzled, but met Palmer’s steady gaze and agreed to go. She stepped out of the yard and faced Maddox. “What is it?”

Maddox handed Noella a small fabric pouch embroidered with a tiny apple blossom, clearly something Old Mrs. Lambert had made herself.

The old lady lived a frugal life, using the few pouches she made for a lifetime. Yet, every year. she would venture to the neighboring town to buy pretty fabrics, sewing clothes for Noella.

Despite Noella’s quick growth, Old Mrs. Lambert insisted on not making clothes in a larger size. always saying that clothes that fit well looked nicer.

“Growing tall is a blessing,” she would often remark. “I’ll simply make you new clothes when they no longer fit.”

“This is what Old Mrs. Lambert left for you. She wanted you to have it when you returned.”

Grandma had left something for her?

Noella carefully opened the pouch to find a bank card and a key inside.

“The PIN for the card is your birthday, and this key is for a safety deposit box at the same bank. Old Mrs. Lambert said you’d know the number. She left something for you inside.” NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Holding the bank card and key, Noella felt a mix of sadness and warmth.

“When did she give this to you?”

“It was long before you left for Tranquility City. She entrusted it to me. She said once she was gone, and the day you returned with your betrothed, I should give this to you. It’s the wedding gift she saved for you.”

Maddox, holding back tears, continued, “Her life got so much better with you around.”

Most folks in Glen Village didn’t have much, but Old Mrs. Lambert doted on Noella, raising her so well.

“If you want to know anything else, don’t ask me. I promised Old Mrs. Lambert I wouldn’t tell. But I believe she intended to tell you herself. Check the safety deposit box.”

Maddox wiped away his tears, sat by the gate, and took a few puffs of his pipe, his eyes filled

11:12

with loneliness and unending longing.

“I understand, Maddox. Take care of yourself.”

Maddox nodded, giving Noella a contented look before leaning in with a sly grin. “Ms. Noella, why don’t you stay the night? I clean the room every day. It’s getting dark, driving now is dangerous. It wouldn’t

be easy for your man to drive back here. Just stay overnight before you

go!”

Noella looked at Maddox, speechless.

Driving out of Glen Village at night was indeed unsafe, but this old house had been uninhabited for years; staying overnight didn’t really seem appropriate.

She didn’t mind, but Palmer was the head of the Pollack Group. To make him spend a night in such a place, she couldn’t bear the thought.

“I’ll find a way out.”

Maddox, eyeing the situation, raised his voice toward Palmer inside the house. “Young Master. the night’s getting late. Why don’t you and Ms. Noella stay here? It’ll be good company for Old Mrs. Lambert. She’d be thrilled to see you both!”

Noella was left speechless.

Palmer stepped out from inside the house, his dark coat catching the moonlight. He exuded a gentle aura, the epitome of a noble gentleman.

“Alright, Noella and I will stay to keep Grandma company.”

The moment Maddox agreed, his face lit up with surprise and delight. He gave Noella a proud pat on the shoulder and whispered. “You’ve got yourself a keeper. Old Mrs. Lambert can rest easy! I’ll go whip us up some dinner!”

With that, Maddox dashed off like a shot.

Noella massaged her temples, her voice tinged with exasperation, “There’s no need to stay the night. Your car can transform into a helicopter, right? You should rest. I can take the wheel.”

Palmer took her hand and gently enveloped it in his. “I want to spend time with Grandma, and I want to see the place where you grew up.”

“But it’s so small here, and not that convenient.”

“It’s okay. Your fiancé isn’t some pampered prince. I’ve survived the front lines, gunfire and all. This is a piece of cake.”

They both had come through the fire, two survivors who understood each other’s past without needing words. Whatever the other had endured, they had faced it too!!

Palmer led Noella to sit in the yard, settling onto a rocking chair beneath the sweet–smelling osmanthus tree.

“We’ve got a yard, flowers, peace, and you. That’s all priceless to me.”

Noella watched Palmer recline in what was Old Mrs. Lambert’s favorite chair.

No one could have imagined that the billionaire tycoon at the helm of an empire could show such a calm and tender side!

Noella’s lips quivered slightly, as if a petal from the flower had gently landed in her heart.

“What about the grandpas?” she asked.

“I called them. Told them they could either check themselves out today or wait for us to pick them up tomorrow.”

“And then?”

Palmer’s smile gleamed in the moonlight, his chiseled profile casting a silvery hue. “They let me have it, insisted we show up tomorrow without fail.

Noella could picture the two old men ranting and raving, fuming at the news!