The Killer Queen

“President, Mr. Sexton has been itching for you to tie the knot so he can cuddle his great–grandchildren already.”

Palmer replied with a cool detachment, “He’s already got three great–grandkids, and with his current health, he can’t even lift one.”

The youngest of the Pollack family’s great–grandchildren was five, and last year, Sexton threw his back out picking one of them up, and he was laid up in bed for two weeks.

Xander was speechless.

“Don’t be so hardheaded with Mr. Sexton. His health isn’t great, and besides, the Pollack family and the Schnabel family are well–matched. The Schnabel boys are all top–notch, and Ms. Schnabel is surely no slouch, either.

This marriage has been set for ages, decided by the Schnabel and Pollack families together. You’ve got to consider the reputation of the Schnabel family, too.”

Palmer slightly lifted his eyelids. “Zip it, or you’ll be the one marrying Ms. Schnabel.”

Xander quickly clammed up. He was fifty–three, not exactly in the marrying age bracket!

At Rising Glory Mall

Briony clutched her little purse, her eyes brimming with eagerness. “Mom, is the handkerchief we reserved finally in stock? We gotta snag it this time!”

Master Azure’s designs required not just a reservation but a mad dash to purchase.

Even with a reservation, it was just a ticket in whether you can actually buy anything is a

matter of fate.

Belinda chuckled with pride. “Of course, for my darling daughter, I’ve rallied all our servants to help nab that Master Azure design. Didn’t you say Milford’s coming with you today, sweetheart?”

Briony blushed, shyly saying, “Milford texted that he’s stuck in traffic. He’ll be late.”

Just thinking about her gentle and tall fiancé, soon to be all hers, Briony felt a surge of pride.

The Rosenbergs had a slightly higher standing than the Lamberts; Belinda had to pull all sorts of strings for the Lamberts to climb the social ladder through the Rosenbergs, but luckily, Briony has always been close with Milford since young.

The mother and daughter waited in line to enter the mall, with Briony standing on tiptoes, scanning the crowd for Milford.

There would be plenty of socialites here today; she had to keep an eye on Milford and show

19-12

those women that such a catch was hers!

Noella had just entered Rising Glory Mall, ready to get in touch with Kital, when someone blocked her path.

“Noella, is that really you? I’ve missed you so much!”

Noella was puzzled.

Who was this nutjob?

Milford had been eyeing the crowd for fresh talent for his soccer team when he spotted a figure in a light green dress, graceful and alluring, especially that face absolutely bewitching!

It was Noella!

“Even though you’re no longer Mr. Lambert’s daughter, in my eyes, you’re still my fiancée. If you’re willing. I can take you back to the Rosenberg family right this moment.”

Noella was speechless.

What kind of big, sick joke was this?

“Noella, it’s always been you for me. It broke my heart to learn you’re not Mr. Lambert’s daughter. I’ve been unable to eat or sleep since you left; I’m in tears every day…”

Noella frowned. “Who the heck are you?”

“Noella, I know you still resent me, but it’s pointless. You must have feelings,

hold a grudge. I know you love me!”

Noella almost gagged on her breakfast.

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“Milford? Your family won’t need to buy oil for the next decade; you’re greasy enough.”

Milford’s known for being a playboy, always on the prowl for pretty women, with nine out of ten phones for keeping women’s contacts.

He even had his mistresses numbered down to their height, weight, and menstrual cycles…

“Noella, I can’t live without you!”

Noella, tired of the nonsense, raised her hand and slapped Milford across the face.

Milford, about to use his physical strength to pull her hand into his embrace, instead took at solid slap to the face.

Milford was stunned.

How could Noella hit so hard?!

In the distance, Briony screamed, “Ahh! Noella, you bitch, stay away from Milford!”

Dragging Belinda, she raced over. Seeing Milford holding his face, she felt a pang of sympathy.

“Milford, is she still bugging you? She’s so vile!”

Belinda looked at Noella with disgust. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you go back to Emerald County? Did you know Briony and I were coming to Master Azure’s store and deliberately staking it out? Let me tell you, you’re no longer part of our family.”

Briony, clinging to Milford’s arm, displayed her claim. “Sis, I know you still have eyes for Milford. but he’s my fiancée, and you have nothing to do with him. Please don’t disrupt our life, okay?”

So pretentious.

Noella slightly frowned and glanced at Belinda and Briony. “If you’re sick in the head, go see a doctor; the cure rate for delusions is pretty decent.”

Belinda, about to blow her top, suddenly saw the still–closed mall doors swing open.

Beckett, in a sharp suit, stood at the entrance, his usually cold face softened upon seeing Noella.

“Noella, come here.”

Noella walked over to Beckett, and soon the mall doors closed again.

Briony, watching Noella’s retreating figure, wondered, “Mom, what’s going on with Noella? Who was that guy just now? He seemed… not ordinary.”

Belinda gritted her teeth and spat out, “That chick must be too proud to crawl back to her backwater town and decided to use her pretty face to snag a rich guy! She’s really living up to her lowly fate. Briony, if she ever comes crawling to you, you better give her the cold shoulder!”

Briony nodded in agreement, then turned to chat with Milford but caught him still eyeing Noella.

Damn that Noella!

Why was she still hogging everything even after she was gone? It was clear as day that both her parents and Milford should be hers!

Climbing the social ladder? As if Noella, a country bumpkin, had any right to!

Briony pouted and yanked at Milford, cooing. “Milford!”

Milford was clearly distracted, muttering a few soothing words to Briony. He believed Noella must still be head over heels for him. That guy earlier was obviously someone she roped in to make him jealous. What a silly girl.

Given his catch, it was no wonder that a girl like Noella, who had nothing going for her except her looks, would be smitten.

Beckett whisked Noella off down the corridor.

“Why didn’t you give me a heads–up before showing up? I would’ve sent someone to pick you

1. up. Azure’s packed today: what if you got squished in the crowd?”

Noella shook her head. “I didn’t want to disrupt your work.”

Beckett’s heart melted!

“Listen to that, my little sis is just so considerate and sweet! Those brats at home could never say something like that.” He thought.

Beckett felt like his life was complete.

“It’s all good, Noella. Whenever you come, it brightens up my day no matter what.”

“Okay, got it.”

Beckett recalled the scene he had witnessed earlier. Was someone hassling his sister?

He frowned slightly. “What happened earlier? Tell me, and I’ll sort it out for you.”

“It’s nothing, just ran into some trash that crawled out of the bin, not worth mentioning.”

Beckett called over his secretary and ordered, “The folks who were hassling the young miss earlier, kick ‘em out. And ban them from all Rising Glory properties – stores, malls, hotels. Blacklist them!”

“Yes, Mr. Schnabel.”

Noella was somewhat surprised. Rising Glory Industry had a nationwide presence; if they blacklisted the Lambert family, Briony wouldn’t be able to shop in any decent mall again.

“Noella, you remember you’re the Schnabel family’s little princess. Nobody gets to give you a hard time, not even me.”

Noella nodded, showing she took the words to heart.

“Thanks, Beckett.”