The Killer Queen

Under the veil of the deepening night, Noella stood with a guarded expression, sizing up the figure before her.

The individual opposite did the same, taking her in.

With her slender waist and long legs wrapped in a sleek black trench coat made of some high–tech fabric, she was the epitome of icy allure. Her striking legs were accentuated by thigh–high leather boots, perfectly complementing the motorcycle she stood beside.

Even with her helmet on, obscuring her face, Walden Gruber felt an undeniable pull, convinced that beneath it lay a breathtaking beauty.

He casually slipped his hands into his jeans pockets, maintaining a safe distance.

“Evening, Wise Fool. Allow me to introduce myself–I’m Walden Gruber of the Gruber family. You can call me Walden.”

“How did you know me?”

Walden was clad in a rugged brown parka layered over a turtleneck sweater. His hair styled in modern undercut with a hint of a rogue’s charm. His smile, a mix of nonchalance and inscrutability, left Noella with a sense of mystery.

“The Gruber family has its ways of finding information when it needs to.”

“What do you want from me?”

a

The Gruber family, a name second only to the Pollacks and the Schnabels, had made significant strides in various sectors. Before Beckett took over the reins of his family’s empire, the Grubers had even outpaced the Schnabels in influence.

But the Schnabel sons were exceptional, and with the majority of patents flowing directly from Elara’s lab, the Grubers didn’t even get the chance to bid on them.

And as for the Pollack family? Ever since Palmer had taken control of the Pollack Group, the Grubers hadn’t even managed to sneak a fly past their doors.

Walden observed Noella, her aura radiating an icy detachment, and offered her a disarming smile. “I’d like to propose a collaboration with your Obelisk Organization. Would you consider granting me the opportunity?”

“No.”

“I’m willing to pay handsomely. Name your price.”

Noella frowned at the man before her. “I’m not in need of money, but if you persist in blocking my way, I can’t guarantee I won’t accept a contract from your opponent–sending you to meet your maker sooner than you’d like.”

Walden’s smile froze instantly.

This woman was audacious to the extremel Yet he knew all too well that as the leader of a top–tier assassination ring on the deep web, her threats were no joke.

“Wise Fool, my request is simple. I just want Ms. Schnabel’s recent travel Itinerary, nothing more. I’d also like to be friends.”

“A paparazzo would fetch that information faster and with more professionalism than I. I won’t help you, nor will I be your friend. The Obelisk Organization only makes friends with those about to die.”

Those who befriended her often ended up at her own hands.

“Of course, I’m aware that Obelisk specializes in killing. If you take out the head of the Pollack family, I’ll pay you a billion.”

A flicker of obsession sparked in Walden’s eyes. In his mind, no one could resist the allure of money. Unless, of course, it wasn’t enough.

Noella glanced at him emotionlessly and simply stated, “Move aside! I won’t say it twice.”

She was pressed for time: heading to the lab at this hour was already a stretch, and this fool was blocking her path. “Ever heard the phrase, ‘Let sleeping dogs lie‘? If you Gruber family can’t teach its dogs manners, perhaps it shouldn’t keep them.”

Noella revved up her bike and zoomed past Walden, slicing through the night air with the grace. of a gust of wind.

Walden’s face flushed with anger.

Was she insinuating he was a dog?

His expensive parka now sported a fresh tear, a near miss to his skin, evidence of her serious. intent.

As the motorcycle and its enigmatic rider disappeared into the night, Walden’s lips curled into a smirk.

Interesting. Challenging.

“Find out who she really is. I’m intrigued,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir. Since she’s declined the contract, we should head back. Tomorrow’s the grand opening of Ms. Schnabel’s gallery, and we must show our support.”

Walden nodded, tossed his parka into a nearby trash can, and slid into his luxury car to leave.

The following morning, the Schnabel family was a flurry of activity.

Sienna rose early, applying extra care to her appearance, even switching necklaces several times.

“Does the pearl look better, or should I go with the diamond? Or perhaps the ruby is more

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striking?”

“Darling, you look stunning in anything!”

Tristan was distracted, dark circles under his eyes.

Sienna spared him a glance and began dabbing at his face.

“Losing sleep is one thing, but on the night before our daughter’s big day? What if you embarrass her?”

“Right, right, cover these up for me. Can’t let our little star down!”

Once ready, Sienna admired the reflection of the elegant lady in the mirror, brimming with satisfaction. This was her debut at her daughter’s gallery, and she was determined to dazzle. to make her daughter proud. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

She knocked gently on Noella’s door, her voice soft, “Darling, are you up yet?”

“Just a moment.”

“We’ll wait for you downstairs for breakfast. Don’t forget to wear the dress I picked out for you!” Noella responded, swiftly getting ready. After a late–night lab visit and a return home to sort through a heap of matters, she hadn’t slept a wink.

Fortunately, she was not prone to dark circles–a touch of makeup would be enough to captivate, without letting anyone in the Schnabel family sense anything amiss.

As expected, the results confirmed Noella’s suspicions- Vincent was not Old Mrs. Lambert’s

son!

The DNA match suggested that Vincent was probably a child Mrs. Lambert had taken in years.

ago.

For some reason, Noella felt a wave of relief wash over her when she found out. Vincent wasn’t her grandmother’s kin, but she was!

Slipping into the dress Sienna had picked out for her, Noella descended the staircase to where everyone was gathered.

She was a vision in a pale blue strapless gown, its simple elegance accentuated with diamond embellishments that twinkled like stars with every step she took- a beauty both breathtaking and dignified.

The Schnabel family’s eyes lit up with delight.

“Our darling looks so beautiful, a true daughter of the Schnabel family!”

At the front door, Palmer pushed Sexton’s wheelchair, his eyes brimming with an unrestrainable tenderness as he watched Noella gracefully move down the stairs..

The whole family dined together, dressed to the nines, ready to attend Noella’s gallery exhibit.

To an outsider, it might have seemed like Noella’s own exhibition!

Sienna took Noella’s hand as they stepped out of the Schnabel Manor.

“Don’t you worry, honey, with us here, everything will go off without a hitch!”

“Don’t be nervous, Noella. Oh my, why are my hands shaking? It must be the cold!”

Beckett chimed in. “Dad, it’s 86 degrees out, are you sure you’re cold?”

Tristan delivered a playful smack. “Cut it out! Oh, we can’t fit everyone in the car. Noella, why don’t you ride with Palmer?”

Tristan glanced at the Schnabel family’s fleet of cars, then gently nudged Noella towards Palmer, taking over from him the handling of Sexton’s wheelchair.

“Mr. Sexton can come with me and my dad; we’ve got the space.”

“Sure, sure, I’ll come over to your car. That works perfectly.”

Noella was speechless, watching as Tristan led the family away, as if afraid she’d suddenly insist on joining them.

Palmer’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he held the car door open, bowing slightly. “Would my fiancée do me the honor of accompanying me?”