The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Feisty, aren't you?"

Despite his harsh words, Palmer's face was lit up with an affectionate grin. He reveled in Noella's possessiveness over him!

Noella arched an eyebrow. "Impressive. So, Mr. Pollack, you better stay on your best behavior, or you'll give me a reason to get feisty.” "Of course. But I wouldn't mind if Noella got a bit feisty with me in other situations.”

Noella was dumbfounded. Why did she always feel like he was hinting at something more? His words always seemed to carry an undertone of flirtation!

"Let's go visit Grandpa Sexton in the hospital.” "Alright."

Annie watched her boss and his future lady walking away, shaking her head in wonder. "Myra just became the unwitting third wheel in their love fest!"

In Grandpa Sexton's hospital room Megan was by the bedside, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, I'm so sorry I came back so late. We shouldn't have fought on your birthday!"

Sexton, weak and wearing an oxygen mask, gave a frail smile and tried to reach out. Megan quickly grabbed his hand, pressing her face against it. "It's alright. Being able to argue with your dad at this age is a blessing. Where are Hudson Vaughn and the kids?"

"Hudson's with the kids at a tournament in Amsterdam. They've booked the earliest flight back, don't worry.”

Megan's children were among the few great-grandchildren in the Pollack family.

When the door opened, Palmer and Noella walked in hand in hand. Noella, familiar with the procedures, checked Sexton's vitals with practiced ease. Sexton's spirits visibly lifted at her presence. "Noella, dear, any chance we can get rid of some of these tubes?"

He was always disheartened to wake up surrounded by medical tubing.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

"I'l see what I can do."

Watching Sexton's eager face, Noella couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and sadness. To him, she had become like a granddaughter, showered with affection and always kept in mind.

Suppressing her emotions, Noella gently said, "Grandpa Sexton, let me help you sit up for a massage.” "Alright." Megan quickly called out to Palmer, "Palmer, give her a hand. Ms. Schnabel can't possibly lift your grandpa by herself!”

Part of her concern was for Noella's strength, and part was the fear of unintentional harm to Sexton. Before she knew it, Noella had effortlessly helped Sexton sit up, navigating around the medical tubing to make him comfortable.

Seeing Sexton relaxed and enjoying Noella's touch, Megan felt relieved and her eyes welled up with tears again. Megan had only heard about Noella from Helen, Palmer's grandmother, and was surprised to see her medical skills.

As Noella tenderly massaged him and engaged in light conversation, it was clear she genuinely cared for Sexton as a family member. Regret filled Megan for not spending more time with her parents over the years.

"Palmer, I heard from your grandma that you're planning to get engaged sooner? Isn't that a bit rushed? If you need any help, just ask!"

Palmer was just as surprised to hear this news. It seemed the decision to move the engagement forward was made by the Schnabel family, aiming to bring peace to Sexton in his final days.

"Itis a bit sudden.”

Noella, however, remained calm, glancing at Palmer. "If you're not willing?"

"It would be my honor, I just don't want to rush you.”

How could he not be willing!

Sexton chimed in, "Dear, this is your life we're talking about. Don't compromise just for me. That would make me sad."

Noella calmly responded, "Grandpa Sexton, I'm not compromising. My life's milestones wouldn't be complete without you.”

Sexton had always supported Noella and Palmer's relationship, playing a key role in bringing them together. Noella smiled, her warmth undeniable.

"Grandpa Sexton, I'm not one to settle. Whether it's today or tomorrow, with or without a big celebration, it doesn't matter as long as it's with Palmer. But having you there means everything to us."

"Alright, alright] promise!” Sexton's voice brokewith emotion, tears gathering:in his eyes. His grandsop ~ Palmer, after years of neglect, had finally found a partner to sharehis life with, easing one of Sextan’ Ss biggest warries. =

After the massage, Noella helped Sexton settleback into bed. He quickly fell into a deep sleep, a rare occurrence given his usual restless nights~Megan was astonished at how wel he slept after Noella's care, understanding why Sexton-insisted off waiting for her. to

As they left the room, Megan took Noella’s hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, dear. You're doing so much.”

"It's nothing."

As they approached the doorway, yra caught sight of Megan holding oella's hand" with affection. Frustratedhshe realized her aunt had also beer charmed by Noella's ~.> seemingly kind facade. She hat’ beeitoo focused on impressing Helen and had underestimated how quickly Noella would windver her aunt.

Myra was visibly irked! But just as she was about to retort, a simple glance from Helen shut her right up. Her knees actually started shaking! It was as if Helen had magically deciphered exactly what was going through her mind!

Confusion swirled within Myra. Even she couldn't coax a smile from Megan these days. If Noella was really as Oriana described, how could Megan have been so easily fooled?

Best to meet with Oriana and get the full story first!

At the majestic Dragon Tower, within the grandeur of the Pollack Mansion, Horatio fished out a couple of coins, rubbing his bald head thoughtfully. "Sister, your and your husband's zodiac signs seem to clash. Maybe it's best you skip the funeral.” Helen, unflustered, scrambled the coins’ arrangement. "Take a good look now. Still see any conflict?” Horatio: ".."

But the signs were clearly at odds just a moment ago!

"How can you just change the reading on a whim?"

"Monks stepping on priests’ toes, dogs chasing mice—why can't the signs change?”

Horatio felt like he was being insulted!

"I called you here because I need a favor!”

Horatio: "No money, broke, not lending, not a penny to my name.”

"Oh, come off it!"

"I was thinking... Let's have Lavinia come to Noella and Palmer's engagement party!"