The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

At least Noella was still willing to give him that chance.

Noella looked at Palmer, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "So, you don’t have to do this."

Palmer lifted his gaze to meet Noella's. Her eyes shimmered, looking at him as if she were a celestial being from the heavens above, her gaze imbued with a captivating magic that threatened to pull him under.

Palmer chuckled softly, reaching out to lift Noella off the bench.

"It's alright, we're friends. And if you ever need, my six-pack and pecs are yours to poke."

"Is that so? Being Mr. Pollack’s friend seems to come with its perks."

Palmer looked at the girl standing next to him. "Of course, after all, you're my only friend right now."

He didn't want her to get the wrong idea - that he was this generous with all his friends.

"I don't have any friends of the opposite sex that I'm this close to, so Noella, you can rest assured."

Noella raised an eyebrow. "Does that mean you have friends of the same sex you're this close to?"

Her eyes sparkled with cheeky and cunning amusement, bright and lively like a butterfly in the garden.

Palmer was momentarily stunned, but seeing the laughter dancing in Noella's eyes, he realized she was only teasing.

"Not really. Work keeps me so busy; I hardly have time to make friends."

Before meeting Noella, Palmer's life lacked color and social engagements.

As they walked towards the resort villa, Noella’s chin was up, her steps lively.

Palmer always exuded a calm and strategic air, unhurried, as if everything was under his control- a natural born leader. Walking beside him, Noella didn't feel uncomfortable. Instead, she felt thoroughly cared for by Palmer in every way!

Having just agreed to start as friends, Palmer maintained a polite social distance, which added a warm touch to Noella's heart. Yet, his gaze lingered on her, always present and attentive.

By the shore, Helen had caught several fish.

Palmer could tell that most of them were caught by the male models Megrez had brought along, yet somehow they all ended up on Helen’s fishing line, eliciting hearty laughter from her- bright and cheerful.

One of the male models supported Helen, saying, "Madam, you're truly amazing! Please have something to eat before you continue. We'd be heartbroken if you got tired."

What was handed over was Helen’s pillbox, and she happily took her medication.

Watching Helen take her medicine and rest comfortably with the company of the male models, Palmer felt a sense of relief.

"This service from Polaris Star is really something."

Suddenly, Megrez appeared, handing Palmer a QR code with a sycophantic smile.

"Mr. Pollack, we welcome your investment! Our main focus is on caring for the elderly, and we help keep their secrets too!"

Palmer caught the hidden meaning behind Megrez's words.

"What did Grandma tell them?"

"Oh, quite a lot! As a family member, you have the right to know, but that comes with a different price."

Noella looked at her subordinate helplessly. "Is the company short on cash lately?"

She remembered the two entertainment subsidiaries under Polaris Star were thriving, with numerous top-tier actors in their roster. Even if they weren't making a fortune daily, they shouldn’t be strapped for cash.

"It wasn't until Yasbel had to compensate for breaking a drama contract! We've sued the production, but that's a separate matter. The director knows several luxury brand ambassadors, and Yasbel has had to pay quite a bit recently. It's infuriating; this director also snatched a lot of resources from Yasbel. The schedules of our other artists have also been affected! Mr. Pollack, as you know, we're a legitimate company, law-abiding citizens! We’re not those shady businesses; our company is a model taxpayer..."

Noella raised an eyebrow, quietly watching Megrez's performance.

These issues had plagued Yasbel since the beginning of her career. Upon her debut, Yasbel encountered the darker aspects of showbiz and ended up physically confronting a director, skillfully avoiding vital areas but leaving him incapacitated for months. Yasbel entered acting out of passion, not necessity.

Listening in, Palmer, with his distinguished profile and regal demeanor, took a special interest because it involved Noella’s company.

"Alright, I'll invest. Send me your company's proposal when you can. If it's a good fit, I might increase my investment."

"Yay! Mr. Pollack, you're our company's guardian angel. No, our god of wealth!"

Megrez quickly added Palmer as a contact and left clutching his phone, not wanting to intrude on their moment.

"Boss, I'll leave you to it. Don't want to interrupt your lovey-dovey time!"

He had seen how cozy and cute Noella and Mr. Pollack were together. Mr. Pollack was even flaunting his charms in front of her!

Their boss was legendary! Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Megrez realized that Noella allowing Mr. Pollack to be so close to her was all to attract investments for Polaris Star! To go to such lengths for the company's growth- truly the epitome of a modern-day capitalist.

Upon receiving the investment transfer, Megrez quickly sent a screenshot to the Polaris Star group chat.

[Look, this is all thanks to our boss's man, so no need for dividends! After all, Mr. Pollack's money is as good as the boss's!]

Noella, seeing the messages on her phone, could only shake her head in resignation.

"You didn't have to invest; they would have managed. Yasbel has Jasper to help, and our legal department isn't just for show."

"I'm a businessman, interested in any promising project!" Palmer remained composed, his stature dignified, as if the investment was just a minor affair.

If it hadn't been for the hefty sum involved, Noella would have thought he just stepped out for groceries.

There was a subtle twinkle in Palmer's eyes, his lips curving into a modest smile.

"Or perhaps you’re worried that I'm getting the short end of the stick? Rest assured, my knack for investments is pretty solid; I haven't been wrong yet."

He suddenly stepped closer. "Whether it's judging projects or people, I've never missed the mark."

Feeling Palmer’s imposing aura drawing near, Noella retorted, “If Mr. Pollack isn’t worried, then why should I be!”

With that, she turned and walked away without looking back, her departure swift like a startled rabbit.

Behind her, Palmer's deep laughter echoed.

...

At the resort's infirmary, Garrick had changed into fresh clothes and was lying on the bed, while his assistant busily dried his damp hair.

He looked a bit frail, but thankfully, it was nothing serious.

The years had caught up with Garrick, and the reservoir's chilly and deep waters had left his face red with cold.

Jacob looked at Garrick, rubbing his hands apologetically. “I’m so sorry, Garrick. My mom’s getting on in years; her eyesight’s not what it used to be. She didn’t see you there. Bless her, she was just out for a bit of fishing. Who knew she’d accidentally bump into you like that.”