The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Rumors were swirling that Esme was none other than a persona of the enigmatic Master Azure!

"I'm here mainly for your engagement party, and also to attend a special event together with you," Esme explained

An event that warranted Esme’s personal attendance, with Hector by her side the whole time, was bound to be extraordinary. "Got it. I've taken care of everything at the hotel. If you or Master Azure have any issues, just reach out to my secretary.” The moment Linnea caught sight of Esme, her eyes lit up with excitement!

After all, Esme was a fashion icon, having clinched the title of Fashion Queen multiple times over!

Her designs were legendary, setting benchmarks that seemed insurmountable!

Linnea gushed, "Ms. Esme, if there's anything you need, just let me know! Your devoted butler, Shen, is at your service!" Esme laughed heartily, gesturing for Hector to carry her luggage upstairs.

Noella chimed in, "Master, we've arranged a sea-view room for you, and we'll make sure to serve your favorite dishes.” "It's Noella who always knows best!"

Upon entering the vast suite, they noticed that even the bed linens had been customized to Esme's taste, and there, on the nightstand, was an exquisite piece of jade carving, clearly Noella's own handiwork.

Esme's fondness for Master Sylvie's jade carvings was well known in the industry.

Watching Esme lovingly cradle the jade carvings, Noella smiled subtly.

"I might have missed your birthday, Master, but I've prepared everything, just in time for this visit."

"My dear Noella, always so thoughtful!"

Cnly Noella remembered everyone's preferences, gifting them with thoughtful presents year after year. For them, it wasn't about the material value but the thoughtfulness behind each gift.

Esme caressed a silk quilt, "Is this one of our creations?"RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

"Yes, it's our latest silk development. The embroidery is by Azure," Noella informed her.

Esme understood that meant Noella herself had done the embroidery.

"You always put so much thought into everything. I do have another reason for my visit."

Hector added, "Ms. Esme is just worried about you being here alone, and with those kids getting restless, she thought it'd be a good time to sort out some of the old guard as well."

Esme knew exactly which of the old Polaris Star members were still around! Noella bit her lip, "Master, who allowed the Polaris Star Project to exist in the first place?"

"Only a high-ranking madman, someone capable of associating with Garrick. My visit is also to see him. Even though Polaris Star is now in your hands, I still need to clean up for you."

"And as for who it is, haven't you ever wondered why your Polaris Star has only twenty-four members?"

Polaris Star was named after the twenty-eight lunar mansions, the missing four were aligned with Garrick!

The one who signed off on the Polaris Star Project was also a member themselves.

Esme wrapped herself in a shawl, her lace gloves adorned with exquisite pearls, embodying elegance and refinement.

"That perscn's old code name was 7-Slayer!”

Imperial West Hospital.

Cutside the Sexton ward, a well-dressed woman hurried along with a few children in tow.

Upon receiving the news, Megan Barth, the eldest daughter of the Pollack family, rushed back to Imperial City with her family. Despite the journey's weariness, worry was etched all over Megan's face.

A young woman trailing behind her looked around excitedly, eager for another chance to see Palmer.

Despite being closely related, Palmer and Megan weren't particularly close, rarely contacting each other throughout the year. This hospital visit was a rare opportunity for Myra Whitaker, Megan's husband's niece, to accompany the Pollack family.

Megan, consumed with concern, paid little attention to Myra's scheming. Facing Helen, Megan couldn't hold back her tears. "Mom..."

"It's okay, you're here now."

Megan and Helen, sharing the Barth surname, weren't exceptionally close, but in times like these, Megan sought comfort.

"How long does my dad have?"

"No more than a month. Uncle Shen is with him now, talking. It's good you're back. We're planning to have Noella and Palmer's engagement party these few days. It might cheer him up.” ’ -

Sexton's biggest concern was Palmer's marriage.

Megan hesitated, "But isn't this a bit unfair to the Schnabel girl?"

After all, an engagement should be a joyous occasion, and it might be tainted by Sexton's condition.

"Uncle Shen suggested this, to let the old man pass without regrets. Noella is sensible and has agreed.”

For Noella, the timing didn't matter as long as it was with Palmer. Making Sexton happy in his final days seemed like the right thing to do. Megan nodded, wiping away her tears

"Alright, we owe a great debt to the Schnabel family for their kindness."

Without the Schnabels, the Pollack family wouldn't have such a wonderful granddaughter and daughter-in-law. Behind Megan, Myra was struck as if by lightning!

She hadn't even had a chance to meet Palmer, and now he was getting engaged to another woman?

And to that temperamental Ms. Schnabel, no less!

Aside from their wealth, what was so special about the Schnabel family anyway!

If Palmer khew that Noella was throwing-her weight around in =~ Azure's boutique, even going as far as to fnsult Azure's fashion designs as soulless, he'd never stand for marrying such a woman! Content bélongs to ~

Myra felt a painful tug at her heart.

Then it hit her. With several major fashion events coming up. a family with the social standing of the Pollacks would surely be attending.

If she coujefind Master Azure at one oi these events and spill the beans, the marriage between the Schrabels and i Palmer would definitely I be off the table! fo

Myra was getting anxious and quickly found an excuse to leave the hospital. Helen watched her leave, "That girl's family is going through a rough patch, huh.”

Megan's husband and Myra's family were distant relatives, and recently, the Whitaker business had faced some serious upheavals, stirring up a storm.

To protect Myra, her family had sent her to stay with Megan. "She's just a kid. If mom doesn't like her. I'll just send her back. We've got enough on our plate at home without having to look after her too."

"Let them be," Helen said, not wanting to make a big deal over a child.

Cutside the hospital, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan was parked by the curb. The car door pened, and a man in a black suit stepped out. Even in a business suit, Palmer's stature was imposing, his handsome features making him stand out in any crowd!

Myra's eyes lit up!

Just as she was about to approach, she saw Palmer bending over, extending his hand into the car to help a girl in a white dress out. The well-tailored dress highlighted Noella's delicate and graceful figure, her waist as slender and flexible as a willow branch in the wind. It was Noella!

Remembering their last altercation at Azure's boutique made Myra's blood boil!

Before she could calm down, Myra received an unexpected call.

Criana's voice came through, tearful and pleading

"Myra, please help me. I'm at the police station. Can you get someone to bail me out?”