The Killer Queen

Elara massaged her temples with a frown. “What did you just say?”

Yates, that fool, actually suggested that Noella was out to get her?

As if she would believe that.

Elara replied with barely concealed sarcasm, “Yates, are you absolutely sure your IQ is within the normal range? If you need it, I could recommend some good cognitive. assessment centers.”

In Elara’s opinion, even that would be a waste – Yates’s lack of intelligence was crystal clear.

“What do you mean? I’m telling you the truth out of the goodness of my heart, and you think I’m spouting nonsense, Ms. Schnabel? Noella’s just green with envy over your talents and abilities. She wants to be the only darling of the Schnabel family. Noella envies the love and protection you’ve had from the Schnabel family since you were little. Don’t let her deceive you!”

Elara paused before delivering a zinger, “Yates, by any chance, do you know your family’s Yvonne? Are you sure you’re not related? Judging by your intellect, you could very well be kin. It’s one thing to be a little slow, but don’t flaunt your feeble mind and your flimsy, full–of–holes lies in front of me. It’s just embarrassing.”

She hung up and muttered to herself, “What kind of dimwits does the Gruber family breed? My sister jealous of me? What’s mine is hers, and what’s hers is… still hers! I was actually looking forward to a shopping spree with Noella. But if we step out now, those Grubers. are sure to be up to no good.”

As Elara sent the recording of their conversation to the Schnabel family group chat, she sighed in frustration. She had finally snagged some unexpected time off and wanted nothing more than to enjoy some sisterly bonding at home!

Noella stood up, offering her hand to Elara. “Let’s go shopping.”

If they let worry over the Gruber family’s antics stop them, it would be playing right into their hands. The Grubers didn’t have the power to interfere.

If they dare to show up, she had ways to make sure they won’t have the chance to bother again.

“Alright! Just let me change!”

Elara scampered off to get dressed, her mood instantly lifted, while Noella’s phone buzzed with encrypted messages.

[Boss, your man’s stirring up trouble with the Shadow Dragon Society. Abyssal

Organization’s goons have surrounded the Dragon’s den.]

10:56

The Shadow Dragon Society tried talling Master Hector and Yasbel, but couldn’t find an opening.]

There was a brief pause before Phecda’s next message came through, along with a few photos.

[Yasbel took Master Hector to an A–list awards ceremony. The place is swarming with media and cameras; the Shadow Dragon Society can’t make a move.]

In the photos, Yasbel was dressed to the nines, with Hector posing as her assistant. They were boldly seated at the event, surrounded by a few burly men with Shadow Dragon Society tattoos.

With Yasbel’s status, the awards ceremony was being broadcast live, with countless media outlets and cameras on the scene. The Grubers would be insane to make a move there.

Noella fell silent. Hector had said he had a way to handle the Shadow Dragon Society without wasting any resources and this was it?

–

[Boss, the Shadow Dragon Society is on their way to ambush you and your sister. Does Abyssal Organization need backup? Vocalist seems to be heading there himself. Boss, you’re wicked, letting Mr. Pollack charge into battle while you go shopping. Impressive!]

Phecda was in awe – their boss was ruthless! She played everyone, even her fiancé! No one could deny that their boss was a role model among role models.

Noella replied with a scowl: [Send me the location. Your salary and bonus are docked for two years, and you’re on border duty come year-end. Triple the experiments.]

Phecda’s shrieks echoed through Polaris Star, long and loud.

“Boss’s just too cruel!”

She was throwing her fiancé under the bus and now, her dear employee!

In the lab, Ulrich watched Elara’s video, listening intently a second time. He peeled off his lab coat with deliberate slowness, slipping into a casual trench coat that fluttered. elegantly around him.

“Yates really doesn’t have his head screwed on right. The Gruber family’s latest generation is doomed, and it wouldn’t hurt to take the whole lot of them down with them.”

Beckett’s message popped up.

[I’m prepping for tomorrow’s gemstone auction. Whoever is free can deal with the Gruber mess. It’s our show tomorrow, and I don’t want any Grubers there, bringing bad luck!]

Stirling was on set, Jasper was still tied up at the International–Court, and Ulrich had no

10:57

surgeries lined up. He twirled his scalpel before placing it back in its case, replying without a second thought.

[I’m on it.]

At the Gruber estate, Yates had just finished grappling with another round of questioning, his face as stormy as thunder.

Malvina leaned against the wall, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “Yates, that lowbrow trick of yours isn’t gonna fly with Ms. Schnabel. Sure, she might be an adopted gem, but she’s also a whiz kid who climbed her way up to a researcher at the Harmonia Country Science Research Institute at a tender age

You really think she’s like those easy girls your

woo with a few bucks?”

Yates glared at her, his displeasure unmistakable. “Oh, and you’re any better? It’s not like. Mr. Pollack is knocking down your door to take you out.”

Malvina rolled her eyes inwardly. “Mr. Pollack, please. Like he’d give me the time of day. Give me a break. I’ve got more dignity than that. That guy’s worth could snap up three of the Gruber family legacy. A little self–assurance is fine, but too much is just plain rude.”

In Malvina’s eyes, Yates and Walden were the epitome of boneheads They couldn’t seriously think their petty schemes would impress Ms. Schnabel, could they?

Malvina casually ran her fingers through her well–maintained hair. “Besides, neither of two can hold a candle to Mr. Pollack in looks, physique, or family background. Ms. Schnabel doesn’t have a thing for pigs. Why go for pork belly when you’ve got six–pack abs to choose from?”

She never minced her words, not even in front of Yates.

“Malvina, watch your mouth. Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

you

Malvina shrugged nonchalantly. “What? Last time I checked, you were just my brother, not my dad. Don’t get too big for your britches.”

The Gruber kids had never been close, and although Yates was Malvina’s brother, they Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

didn’t have the same mother.

“Are you not afraid that I’ll kick you out of the Gruber family?”

Malvina covered her mouth as if stifling laughter, shaking her finger at him with a look full of sly charm. “Yates, let’s just wait and see! Let’s see who ends up with the Gruber family. But I’ll bet it’ll be you who gets the boot, just like when I sent your mom packing!”

Yates’s mother had been Blake Gruber’s secretary, never quite fitting in with the family, a sore spot for Yates.

Watching Malvina’s sultry departure, Yates kicked a nearby stool in frustration.

m the Gruber family’s eldest son, you’re just a woman. Don’t even dream of competing with me.”

He waved dismissively at his secretary, pointing toward Malvina’s retreating figure. “From now on, I don’t want to see her in the Gruber family ever again!”