The Killer Queen

Maddox gazed skyward as the helicopter roared overhead, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.

Who knew sports cars could sprout wings these days? This was some next–level tech!

Huffing and puffing, the Fuller family finally rolled up in their rickety old truck to the gates of Verdant Gardens.

“Maddox, didn’t you say Noella was back? Where’s the girl?”

Maddox pointed towards the sky, a smirk curling his lips. “She just took off, man. You gonna chase after her?”

“What? She left already? Why didn’t you stop her!”

Chase a helicopter? With what, their beat–up pickup?

They had been counting on Noella agreeing to marry Ellsworth Fuller, hoping Vincent would cough up the cash to clear Ellsworth’s mountain of gambling debts! Now she was gone, and they were left with no leads.

“Maddox, do you know who bought this place? How come it’s sold, and Noella can still stay here?”

Maddox chuckled and took a few puffs of his pipe. “Of course, it’s Ms. Noella’s own kin. They bought the house for her. From now on, this beauty belongs to Ms. Noella, so you lot can kiss your dreams goodbye.”

The house was Noella’s?

The Fullers stood there, dumbstruck.

“Didn’t Vincent say Noella’s folks were just some poor chicken farmers from Emerald County? Where did they get the dough to buy her a house?”

“They must’ve been pulling our leg. Noella’s family can’t be poor! Otherwise, how could she afford a chopper ride? I say her marrying Ellsworth could be our ticket to the high life!”

If Noella’s family was loaded, not only would Ellsworth’s debts vanish, but the Fullers could be swimming in luxury!

With that thought, the Fullers left, visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads.

Maddox watched them go, then dialed Beckett on the sly.

Beckett had left his number with Maddox during Verdant Gardens‘ last renovation, telling him to call if he ever needed anything.

Beckett, who was sneakily checking security footage, answered Maddox’s call. He was now kicking himself for not installing cameras inside the house as well.

The garden cams showed too little!

11:13

Thankfully, Palmer hadn’t done anything outrageous. He even took care to cater to his sister’s tastes at dinner, moving with practiced ease. Clearly, he’d been at this a while. It was obvious Palmer had looked after Noella in the past; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so smooth about

1. it.

“Mr. Beckett Schnabel, the Fullers seem to have their sights set on Ms. Noella. They’re hoping she’ll marry their gambling addict.”

“What the heck? They think they can set their sights on my sister? I’m on it!”

Beckett hung up and continued to watch the feed. Seeing his sister upset about past events. made his heart ache. He wished he could tear apart anyone who had been unkind to her.

Luckily, Palmer seemed to know how to comfort her, which made Beckett warm up to him a bit.

Beckett’s brother Jasper walked in..

“Beckett, the Rosenberg and Fuller families want to settle with cash, keep it out of court. What do you think?”

“Ten million, not a dollar less. Otherwise, they can rot in jail.” Beckett was not one to nurse their troubles.

Ten million would bankrupt both families; they’d have to sell properties to scrape it together.

“Why not keep them locked up for a while?” NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

“No need. They’ll just end up in some cushy hospital ward. Let ‘em pay for their freedom and their medicine.”

With Vincent and Zachary’s funds tied up in legal troubles, paying for healthcare wouldn’t be

easy.

Among the Schnabel siblings, Beckett, the eldest, seemed the most harmless but was actually the most cunning. The future helmsman of the Schnabel family was decisive and swift.

Meanwhile, the helicopter landed on the lawn of Imperial West Hospital, stirring up a whirlwind before rolling into the parking garage, reemerging as a sleek car.

Palmer emerged with a gift from the trunk, approaching Noella. “For the old gents, as a ‘get well soon‘ present.”

Noella glanced sideways. “When did you get these?”

“Just the other day. I figured since we were heading home, we’d need something to cheer up the granddads, what with them being so stubborn.”

Palmer had a knack for dealing with the old timers, knowing exactly how to play to their moods. Stepping into the hospital room, Marcel sat up straight, pretending he hadn’t been craning his neck in anticipation. “What took you so long?”

“Just swung by the old homestead, paid my respects to Old Mrs. Lambert.”

Marcel nodded, exhaling deeply. “That’s the right thing to do. When I’m up and about, I’ll go with you. Old Mrs. Lambert’s been a guardian angel to the Schnabels; she deserves our thanks.”

The entire Schnabel family held Old Mrs. Lambert in high regard, grateful for how she’d cherished their Noella like a precious gem.

Palmer handed over the gifts to the two old men.

“Grandpa, Grandpa Marcel, Noella and I picked these out for you both. Congratulations on getting out.”

The old men’s faces bloomed with smiles.

“Noella’s always been the thoughtful one. Let’s see what you’ve got us, kiddo.”

Noella herself was curious about Palmer’s choice. Upon opening the box, she found the latest autumn scarf and hat from Master Azure, namely herself.

Noella rarely took up needle and thread herself, but it just so happened that she had casua crafted these items to test the softness and skin–friendliness of the latest fabric developed by Polaris Star.

To her surprise, Palmer swiftly claimed them, dividing them into two separate gifts.

Sexton immediately donned the hat, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “How do I look?”

Not to be outdone, Marcel wrapped the scarf around his neck. “Noella, do I look dashing or

what?”

“Looking sharp, Granddad! The fabric for both the scarf and beanie was developed by Elara’s lab. It’s not even on the market yet.”

Elara’s lab had a partnership with Polaris Star. The fabric originated from Elara’s chickens, with Polaris Star’s additional touches, it turned into what it was now.

Marcel chuckled, “Elara’s work, huh? That girl is a true Schnabel, bright and brilliant!”

Sexton piped up, elbowing his way into the conversation, “Does Elara have a beau yet? We’ve got more grandsons. Maybe she’d like to take her pick?”

“Get outta here, you shameless old coot. Elara’s already said she’s wed to her research for life. Besides, do any of your brood have the smarts to match up with Elara?”

That ruffled Sexton’s feathers. “What’s wrong with my grandkids‘ smarts? Palmer’s uncle graduated with his PhD at twenty, and he’s the big boss at Elara’s lab!”

“That second son of yours is fifty if he’s a day. What are you on about?”

The two old gents were at it again, nearly coming to blows right then and there.

Resigned to the inevitable, Noella watched the spirited debate. Judging by their vigor, those old timers were in fine fettle.

Palmer gently took her hand, whispering, “Let them argue. They’ll have plenty more chances.”

Sexton insisted on staying at Serene Haven’s Dragon Tower, wanting to keep an eye on his granddaughter–in–law, while Marcel chose Phoenix Tower, eager to be close to his granddaughter. Post–discharge, the two elders would still be neighbors.

Major Garnett popped his head in from outside, addressing them with deference, “Sir, Ashlyn’s asked to see you.

Marcel scoffed. “After all this time, I’ve nothing left to say to her. Take this divorce agreement, have her sign it, and bring it back to me.”

“Understood, sir!”

Marcel had it all figured out. He’d file for divorce on his discharge day. Even if Ashlyn wanted to make a scene, she wouldn’t be able to find him.

Noella and Palmer, along with the old men, left Imperial West Hospital.

Ashlyn waited in her room, expecting Marcel’s visit, but all she received was a signed divorce decree!

This wasn’t an agreement; it was outright notification of divorce!

“No! I won’t agree! He can dream on if he thinks he can divorce me!” Ashlyn couldn’t believe what she was seeing. How could Marcel divorce her? “He’s heartless. I’ve been with him a lifetime. There must be some shameless woman he’s cheating with. I’ll report this to the higher–ups!”

Major Garnett, witnessing Ashlyn’s fury, felt quite troubled himself.

“Ma’am, I’ve delivered what Mr. Marcel Schnabel ordered. Please, sign here.”

Ashlyn, seething with anger, looked at the divorce papers and the asset division agreement in her hands, then slumped onto the bed.

Signing it would sever her ties with the Schnabel family for good.