The Killer Queen

Noella’s choice didn’t seem out of the ordinary. It was just a piece of stone Gary had discarded earlier, nothing noteworthy at first glance.

Gary let out a sigh of relief, his laugh tinged with contempt. “I thought you picked something special, but just like what you said earlier, this stone is just junk.”

It was one he had overlooked.

Noella gently wiped the stone in her hand and weighed it thoughtfully. “Your failure to find treasure is your own shortcoming. If I succeed, it’s simply good luck.”

Gary, still hoping to ride on the coattails of his moniker “Gemstone Gambling King,” saw Noella’s novice demeanor and hatched a plan.

He had studied all the raw stones before the game, convinced that this particular rock harbored nothing of value, not even a mediocre peony jade.

“Ms. Schnabel, if you fail, you owe me an apology!”

Noella met Gary’s gaze with disdain. “You, the self–proclaimed Gemstone Gambling King, fail to find anything of worth and expect an apology from a novice like me?”

Yasbel chimed in with mockery. “It’s laughable. The Gemstone Gambling King comes up empty and demands an apology from Ms. Schnabel. How childish. You should just go home to your mommy.”

Gary’s face tightened, but he was certain Noella’s stone was junk. “If Ms. Schnabel’s piece turns out to be something, I’ll never gamble on stones again!”

Noella shook her head lightly. “No, you’ll have to admit you’re a fraud. According to the Northstone Quarry tradition, you’ll have to leave a hand behind.”

There had been impostors claiming to be the Gemstone Gambling King in the past, and losing a hand was getting off easy.

Gary shuddered under Arthur’s menacing look. “Fine! I agree!”

After all, he was sure the girl’s stone was worthless.

Yates offered his assistance with a smile. “Ms. Schnabel, need a hand?”

Noella didn’t even glance at him, instead passing the stone to Palmer, “Help me out. I’ll guide you on where to cut.

“Happy to assist my fiancée.”

Noella, dressed in a form–fitting strapless gown, found it impractical to bend over the cutting machine. After handing the stone to Palmer, she didn’t miss the joy twinkling in his

eyes.

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Just a small favor and he’s this elated? His happiness seemed all too easy to achieve.

Perhaps sensing Palmer’s delight, Noella allowed a small smile to grace her lips.

Below, Yasbel shuddered. “It’s still a bit unsettling to see our boss smile.”

Hector whispered, “Noella and this guy seem well–matched. What’s his line of work? Looks like a businessman, and he’s down–to–earth. Not bad at all.”

Palmer positioned Noella’s chosen stone on the cutting machine.

“Just cut anywhere along this line.”

After securing the stone, he removed his suit jacket and draped it over Noella, saying considerately, “It’s going to get dusty. Wait for me over there.”

Her gown was stunning, and it would be a shame if it were marred by the dust from the cutting.

Noella’s cheeks flushed slightly and she stepped back as instructed.

Malvina and Yasbel shivered in mock jealousy.

“Never thought Mr. Pollack would be so tender with Noella. But it’s only right. If I had a fiancée that beautiful, I’d spoil her rotten too.”

Yasbel’s brain went numb for a moment. “Wait, you want a fiancée too?”

Malvina was speechless.

Gary craned his neck to get a better view of the stone under Palmer’s hands.

The hum of the cutting machine echoed in the hall, Palmer’s hands steady, betraying no sign this was his first time cutting stone.

When the grinding wheel stopped, everyone held their breath.

Yates couldn’t believe his eyes as he stared at the freshly cut surface, “That’s… that’s Glassy Type!*

Gary was the most shocked; how could there be Glassy Type in this batch of stones?

He had carefully checked each one; all the likely ones had been cut open. How could Noella’s random pick yield Glassy Type?

The exposed surface revealed a vibrant green, translucent and bright, without a single flaw.

Noella sprinkled some water on it, downplaying her success. “Not bad, Glassy Type, but not the best.”

This was already the best piece from the batch, and finding such quality Glassy Type was a stroke of luck for the Gruber family. But now it was Noella’s luck that shone!

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to the

bfounded Yates, her eyebrows raised. “Yates, this Glassy Type

das for the Gemstone Gambling King… remember our bett

Gary collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, speechless.

Glassy Type, this naive girl had unearthed Glassy Type while he had found nothing. The Gruber family would never forgive him!

Yates knew that relying on the Gemstone Gambling King was futile now. He waved his hand, directing someone to take Gary away, then turned to the crowd with a grin. “Ms. Schnabel, I truly apologize. The Gruber family was deceived by Gary as well. Ms. Schnabel, you’re incredibly lucky, and I respect that.”

Someone from the audience raised a sign. “Ms. Schnabel, are you selling that Glassy Type? I love the color! Name your price?”

Noella wasn’t short on emerald, and to her, this Glassy Type wasn’t particularly precious. She turned to Palmer, meeting his gaze. He was impeccably dressed in a black shirt, now dusted with the residue from the stone.

“Do you like it?”

Whatever emerald my fiancée picks out, I’m all for it.”

To Palmer, the quality of the emerald wasn’t the issue; the fact that she chose it was what mattered. It was also the first time she had reached out to him for help.

Could this mean that, at the very least, his fiancée was trying to accept him in her own way?

“Then it’s yours. After it’s cut, it’ll make a fine set of cufflinks.”

“Great!”

Noella turned to the audience with a nonchalant air. “Sorry, folks, this gem is a gift for

someone.”

The paddles in the crowd were swiftly withdrawn.

Who would dare to compete with Palmer for an emerald? Never mind that spending money was no object in Mr. Pollack’s eyes, who would dare outbid the CEO of the Pollack Group? Just by Mr. Pollack’s demeanor, even if Ms. Schnabel had offered a plain rock, he would have treasured it like a rare gem!

Arthur’s smile was brimming as he addressed Master Hector. “Since Master Hector graces us with his presence, why not show us a trick or two?”

Hector snorted dismissively. “Show off in your venue and give you the honor? I’ll be at the Schnabel’s tomorrow showing my skill. You can come if you want! Noella, how about it?”

“Of course, we would be honored to have you at the Schnabel estate,” Noella responded

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with a supportive tone.

If Beckett knew that Hector was planning to cut a stone at the Schnabel estate, he’d

probably be grinning from ear to ear. After all, Hector’s hands had never cut anything less than extraordinary!

Master Hector cutting a stone at the Schnabel’s? Was he planning to take the helm there?

The crowd was abuzz with their own schemes.

It seemed today’s gemstone auction at the Gruber family was turning into a farce!

Arthur’s face twisted in anger as he watched Master Hector’s retreating figure, his heart bleeding. “Find someone to take him out. He cannot, under any circumstances, show up at the Schnabel’s tomorrow and show us up!”

He glanced at the young heirs of the Gruber family. “Whichever of you secures a good marriage first will inherit the Gruber legacy. Whether it’s with the Pollack family or the Schnabels, it’s up to you now.”

Walden and Yates felt a surge of determination, understanding Arthur’s hint. Whether it was the Pollack family or the Schnabels, there was only one daughter to vie for!

As they left the venue, Yates’s secretary leaned in close.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Sir, Ms. Schnabel might be tough to sway, but don’t the Schnabels have an adopted daughter as well…”

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