The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Why would you think that?"

Marisol chuckled sheepishly.

"Because this collection has a striking resemblance to Mr. Schnabel's previous designs!"

Noella shook her head.

"It wasn't my design. I did the special element analysis for the Celestial Ocean Diamond, though."

Extracting precious chemical elements from diamonds requires specialized equipment.

"But, I do happen to know the designer."

Noella smiled lightly, standing up to slip into her blazer, neatly pulling her long hair out from under it. Her eyes, clear and sharp, made Marisol's heart skip a beat.

Mr. Schnabel was just too good-looking!

Yet, astonishingly, his looks were the least remarkable thing about him!

"Let's go check it out."

Whether it's the latest jewelry exhibition or the designer making headlines, it's all crucial for their company!

"Sure thing!"

At the jewelry exhibition center, backstage.

A woman with an air of arrogance strode into the backstage, followed by a crowd.

An assistant, clutching a bunch of boxes, fawned, "Ms. Patel, we couldn't secure your private dressing room..."This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

"Useless! Am I supposed to mingle here with these mediocre designers? They're not even in my league!"

"Do you know who I am? I'm from the Patel family!"

The Patel family has always held a prestigious place in the Imperial City's high society, renowned for their jewelry and real estate ventures. The matriarch of the Patel family was also a celebrated figure in Imperial City, internationally renowned alongside Esme as two of the most influential women.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Patel, but the VIP dressing rooms are limited, and we couldn't secure one for you..."

Luna Patel slapped the meek assistant across the face!

Boxes tumbled to the floor, luckily the jewelry was securely sealed in shock-absorbent bags, preventing any damage.

Otherwise, the assistant's earnings for a lifetime wouldn't cover the losses.

Luna sneered, "Couldn't secure it? Then tell me, who took it?"

The nerve of someone taking her dressing room!

"I did. Got a problem with that?"

A voice cold as a spring brook, yet clear and pleasant, cut through the tension.

A pair of slender hands reached out to the assistant, Noella bending slightly, "Need a hand?"

The assistant was starstruck by this angelic figure!

In an instant, she forgot to breathe!

Working as Luna's assistant was no easy feat. Beatings and scoldings were common, even if Luna was just dissatisfied with her morning makeup, she'd make the assistant stand outside in punishment, enduring the sun...

By the end of the day, they'd be lucky not to collapse from heatstroke or peel a layer of skin!

Luna raised an eyebrow, "Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Schnabel. Snatching up spots now, are we?"

Noella helped the assistant up.

Her tone was even, "If I'm not mistaken, this convention center is named Schnabel. The one next door, too, bears the name Schnabel." The implication was clear.

This was her turf!

"Ms. Patel's been abroad too long, can't tell north from south? Or can't recognize the convention center's logo? Seems the Patel family's offspring might fail basic literacy."

Besides the logo, there was the massive sign for the Schnabel Group!

Luna was reluctant to confront Noella directly.

If not for Noella being Esme's protégé, no one could threaten her status as Imperial City's top designer!

This country bumpkin, what did she know about design?

"Ms. Schnabel knows art? If you don't recognize today's gems, that'd be the real embarrassment. You should hide in the VIP lounge and study up." "Ms. Patel's idea of art is being unspeakably rude?"

Luna was stung by Noella's directness!

Ms. Schnabel, such harsh words!

Not at all the behavior of a lady of her standing!

A man with a commanding presence and impeccably tailored suit entered, drawing Luna's attention instantly! Rumors had it, Mr. Schnabel was still single!

Of all the Schnabel men, Beckett, who took after the family business, was the only one who caught Luna's eye! But Beckett's gaze swept over the room, cold and detached, landing on Noella with warmth unseen for others.

He approached Noella, his tone gentle, "Why not wear something warmer? It's cold, don't just dress to impress." He draped his coat over her shoulders as he spoke.

"Thanks, Beckett, but I'm not cold."

"Put it on."

Beckett checked Noella's wrist to make sure she was indeed warm enough before he could relax.

"What's going on here?"

Noella smirked, "Ms. Patel here, claims I've taken her dressing room!"

Beckett's gaze on Luna was icy and indifferent.

"I don't recall this convention center having a Patel family exclusive dressing room."

"Perhaps there used to be, but not anymore, and there won't be in the future."

Luna's face soured!

"Mr. Schnabel, that's quite inhospitable. What if you decide you want to buy my jewelry later?"

Beckett frowned slightly.

It had been years since anyone spoke to him in such a tone.

Truly, a foolish woman!

A greenhorn might be excusable, but Luna, well-versed in the circles they ran in, should have known better than to address him in such a manner, let alone publicly challenge his sister.

"Ah, the Patel family, got it."

"Isn't Mr. Schnabel interested in the Celestial Ocean Diamond?"

Everyone here was dying to get their hands on the Celestial Ocean Diamond!

Beckett was losing his patience.

"Are you implying that the Celestial Ocean Diamond was your masterpiece? Ms. Patel, do you think I'm a foot, or do you believe that a high-caliber jewel like the Celestial Ocean Diamond doesn't require a designer with integrity?"

Noella couldn't help but laugh!

It was rare for Beckett to talk to her in such a tone, almost making her forget.

Her Beckett, after all, was the one whose sarcastic comments were collected daily on the internal website of the Schnabel Group!

Beckett was a true businessman, the eldest son of the Schnabel family, having raised his younger siblings single-handedly.

His knack for insults was such that even his brothers and sisters couldn't stand it!

What Beckett meant was, Luna's soul was too tainted to have designed something as exquisite as the Celestial Ocean Diamond!

Luna, feeling humiliated, covered her face, stomped her foot, and turned to leave.

Marisol, standing behind Noella, said, "Mr. Schnabel, Ms. Patel seemed to have an issue with you?"

"I don't know her."

Beckett replied coldly, "And I don't

need to. They were hoping to set up their eldest son with Elara, but seeing what kind of fool they have in

the family, I doubt the other kids are any better!"

The Patel family's intentions to match their eldest with Elara were clear as day!

"Beckett doesn't believe she designed the Celestial Ocean Diamond?"

Beckett gave his mysteriously always sister a glance.

"If the Celestial Ocean Diamond was indeed her design, that would be a shame!"