The Killer Queen

Yates’s eyes sparkled with intrigue at his secretary’s words. “But she’s just an adoptee, what a waste.

“Sir, an adoptee is still a daughter of the Schnabels, and a cherished researcher at that,” the secretary reminded him.

Yates stroked his chin, his face a canvas of schemes. “Two daughters, and this one has little value. But if something were to happen to that annoying one, wouldn’t she become the sole heiress?”

Yates was angling for a lucrative alliance with the Schnabels, and he knew he had to pick the most profitable match. Only as an only child could she inherit the undivided wealth of the Schnabels, allowing him to clinch an absolute victory in the inheritance battle of the Grubers.

If Ms. Schnabel wasn’t the right fit, he could always set his sights on another Ms. Schnabel!

“Make the arrangements. Such a trifle should be well within your capabilities.”

“Yes, sir.”

Outside the Gruber mansion, Master Hector waved at Noella. “Noella, Yasbel and I will head out to make some preparations. See you tomorrow!”

Noella nodded. “Stay safe. The Grubers might do something.”

Master Hector dismissed the concern with a casual wave, clearly not intimidated by the Grubers. “Don’t worry, I’d be disappointed if they didn’t try. The Grubers think they can. cause me trouble? Hmph!”

Years of dealing with the rough–and–tumble of the gemstone world had seasoned Master Hector well.

Lucian chuckled. “Your life’s get leaper by the day. The Grubers are no threat. It’s theContent is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

Shadow Dragon Society behind them that plays for keeps.”

“I don’t care if it’s dragons or snakes; they all bow down before me!”

Lucian’s steely gaze rested on Noella, suggesting, “Take care of yourself… and when Elara has a moment, have her come see me. I hold her dear!”

Noella understood Lucian’s hint. “I’ll let her know.”

Watching Master Hector and Lucian leave, Malvina idly played with her hair. “Noella, darling, knowing Yates as I do, you and your sister better watch your backs.”

10-56

the coutin’t be too direct, but she trusted that clever Noelle would get

toà

will, thank you?

Let’s exchange contact info, please!”

it was clear Malvina wasn’t having the easiest time with the Grubers, Noella agreed, and they exchanged contact details.

“Yay! Rest assured, as long as I’m around, Yvonne won’t have a day of peacel”

Noella smiled lightly. “She’s no concern of mine.”

To Noella, Yvonne was a mere jester, not worth her attention.

“That’s even better. If there were ties, I’d have to be more careful dealing with her.”

“Do as you please.”

Malvina simply found Yvonne irksome, and Noella’s response was all the assurance she needed.

On the way back, Palmer was still beaming with joy.

Noella glanced at him and airily remarked, “It’s just a piece of emerald, Mr. Pollack. Haven’t you seen the world?”

Palmer laughed softly, his eyes gleaming as they settled on Noella. “I’m just assessing the relationship between my fiancée and Master Hector.”

From Master Hector’s demeanor towards Noella to his support for the Schnabels, and the fact that Noella casually picked a top–grade Glassy Type emerald, along with Yasbel treating Noella with such respect… If he wasn’t mistaken, the Gemstone Gambling King had a close connection with his little lady–perhaps Noella was the King herself!

He knew his fiancée was a treasure, but the thrill of uncovering more of her secrets made

him cherish her even more.

“The Gemstone Gambling King was quite active in Northstone, and coincidentally, you were there at the same time, weren’t you?”

Noella replied coolly, “Today was just a stroke of luck.”

“I’m not one to believe in luck, my dear. Luck is inconsequential when faced with

undeniable skill, wouldn’t you agree?”

Palmer had never put stock in luck; while buying lottery tickets might require a stroke of it, gemstone gambling demanded skill!

Otherwise, why hadn’t someone lucky usurped Master Hector’s place?

10:56)

softened. “Those years in Nor

sent the Geinstonedambling King was shining brightest

He knew quite a bit about the Gemstone Gambling King’s movements, which nerity matched the scope of activities of the Obelisk Organization!

Noella gave him a aldelong glance. “And your point is7”

Palmer ruffled Noella’s hair affectionately. “Just that you’re pretty amazing, Noella. As a reward, I’ll take you to the hottest new restaurant downtown”

Noella’s heart skipped, her pulse quickening. Looking at Palmer, she suddenly asked, “Palmer, don’t you have anything better to do?”

As the CEO of the Pollack Group, one would think he’d be swamped with work, yet he always seemed to find the time to share meals with her.

Holding Noella’s hand, Palmer spoke honestly. “Swamped? More like drowning in it! But what’s the point of all that busy if I can’t make time for my thoughts of you and being with you? Noella, you can’t strip me of that right.”

Seeing her, all his fatigue seemed to melt away. The cutthroat politics within the Group, the undercurrents roiling through the Pollack family none of it mattered anymore!

After dinner, Palmer dropped Noella back at Schnabel Manor and watched her ascend the steps before driving off.

As soon as Noella exited the car, the warmth inside plummeted. Palmer reached for his glasses, sliding them off the bridge of his nose, his eyes unmasking a chilling intent.

“Annie, Noella used a hidden blade in Emerald County once. Find out what that was all

about.”

“Will do. Also, Boss, should we tell Ms. Noella about the findings from our last investigation?”

Palmer’s eyes narrowed, a hint of red within them, his gaze sharp and lethal. “No need. If we tell Noella, she’ll surely dive into her own investigation, and that’s too dangerous. Set up another date for me and her.”

Annie couldn’t help but blurt out, “Boss, aren’t you worried Ms. Noella will think you’re clingy?”

Even she noticed her boss transformed whenever he was with Ms. Noella. It was only Ms. Noella’s good nature that hadn’t sent him packing.

Thinking of Noella’s face, Palmer felt the gloom in his heart dissipate slightly.

“It’s fine,” he murmured almost to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy and bitterness. “If Noella gets tired of me, I’ll just vanish for a few days. She won’t suspect a thing.”

10.56

Annie was taken aback by the depth of his sentiment, but she remained silent. Even as an outsider, she was moved by the lengths her boss would go for Ms. Noella.

“Are we really not going to tell Ms. Noella?”

“There’s no need to trouble her with it.”

With a light chuckle, Palmer shook his head and the conversation drifted to a close.

“Keep Elara safe, and keep tabs on the Gruber family. Let the Shadow Dragon Society vanish from Imperial City!”

“Understood. I’ll arrange it.”

The Gruber family had crossed a line with Palmer today! The worst mistake they made was casting their filthy schemes on Noella and the sole daughter of the Pollack family!

Meanwhile, Elara’s phone buzzed with a new message.

[Ms. Schnabel, wouldn’t you like to know who was behind the Phoenix Lab incident?]