The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

The car pulled up to the hospital, its journey coming to an end.

It wasn't until the final stitch was placed that Noella finally allowed herself a moment of relief.

"We nailed it. Time to update the family."

Calvin looked over at Noella, thoroughly perplexed by her genius.

How could someone so young, barely in her twenties, command the operating room with such calm and precision? Here he was, merely her assistant, marveling at her every move.

As he observed another successful surgery, Calvin found himself continuously astounded by Noella's prowess.

Noticing Noella's scrubs soaked with sweat, he urged her to go freshen up.

With the operation room lights dimmed, Calvin, mask in hand, walked out to face a crowd eagerly awaiting news.

Having spent extensive time operating alongside Noella, Calvin had mastered the art of delivering updates.

"She's doing well, but we'll need to keep a close eye on her. She's been moved to the ICU, equipped with the latest tech."

Elara, anxiety written all over her face, asked, "How's my sister?"

"She's changing. We're all pretty spent. The patient should wake up within a week, and we'll monitor her closely."

"Thank you, Professor Calvin!"

"It's what we do."

Jasper pulled Elara into a comforting embrace, her tears soaking his suit. "There, there, I'm here now. Your mom's going to be okay, sweetheart."

Elara, unable to speak, let her fears and frustrations flow freely.

"Jasper, I'm so scared. Scared for Noella, scared that I made her agree to Lorne's demands. I feel so powerless."

"I understand, and it's okay. You're concerned for Noella and your mom, right? But you, Elara, are stronger than you think. No more tears."

Beckett gently patted Elara's shoulder, his voice soothing. "You've done incredibly well, Elara. Leave the rest to us."

Nodding, Elara let her worries dissolve into Jasper's suit.

...

In the dimly lit hospital stairwell, the sudden flick of a lighter sliced through the darkness. Noella looked up to see a man standing above, his cigarette briefly illuminating his face.

"Why are you here?"

Palmer took a drag, then crushed the cigarette underfoot, his gaze locking with Noella's as he ascended the steps.

"I figured you'd be here."

Noella's eyes flickered as she watched the man approaching her step by step. "How did you know?"

"Just a guess."

Actually, upon arriving at the hospital and noticing Noella’s absence, Palmer knew she would be here. Between them, they already shared a deeper connection than she had realized.

"And how did you know I’d be atop that building?"

Noella stayed silent, locking eyes with the intense gaze before her. The man standing in front of her boasted impeccably sculpted features, resembling a work of art, with sharply defined and handsome contours, and piercing eyes.

"I guessed." Palmer chuckled softly, opening his arms, unaware of the tenderness in his gaze. "Mind the smoke?"

He looked down at her. "We seem to understand each other well. So, I guess you need a hug?"

Their hugs were not uncommon, but this time, Palmer offered her the choice to step into his embrace.

"Is it really up to me?"

"Of course. I assume you're here because you don't want to burden your family with your stress. Right?"

Noella laughed lightly. "You sure enjoy your little guessing games, huh?"

"But I was right, wasn't I?"

Stepping forward, Noella hugged him tightly, her voice muffled. "That's not fair. You didn't really give me another option."

With her back against the wall and him in front, she had nowhere else to turn.

"Hard day, huh?" Palmer's voice was a comforting rumble. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

Going to the hotel alone, then undergoing such an exhausting surgery, but having to digest the emotions alone, not wanting to bring any negativity to the family. His fiancée always saved her best side for the family, while the rest of the time was spent growing alone.

"You worked hard. My embrace was always here for you."

Noella's arms were still sore, the energy required for the operation was beyond imagination, and after the surgery she felt like her brain had emptied for a few seconds!

"Thanks."

"Is it tougher operating on someone you know?"

Noella nodded, finding comfort in Palmer's arms. "My first surgery was on my grandma. I couldn't look at her face, afraid I'd break down."

"Was it successful?"

"Very. I started studying medicine to be able to operate on her."

Noella's determination was driven by a desire to help her only remaining family member through a complex illness, leading to her first interactions with Calvin.

"And did anyone ever tell you how incredible you are for that? You worked hard."

Learning so much at such a young age, she must have endured many hardships, driven solely by the desire to keep her only family member close!

Listening to Palmer's voice, Noella felt momentarily disoriented. Performing surgery on her grandmother wasn't for accolades; the greatest happiness for Noella was prolonging her

grandmother's life. Yet, upon hearing this delayed expression of gratitude, she still felt a warm glow in her heart.

Noella realized that Palmer truly knew her.

"I was on that building because I knew you needed someone."

"You seem to know me well."

"Of course. First, to know my rival, and now, to understand a friend."

Understanding Wise Fool or Noella was essentially understanding her!

In the past, they'd make identical decisions, vying for the same resources and territories along the frontier – a sort of unspoken agreement between them.

"I turned down Lorne without considering my sister's feelings. You don't think I'm being capricious, do you?"

"Noella, I couldn't be happier that you rejected him! Besides, your sister loves you more than you realize. You're family."

What Noella declined was to call off their engagement, and he should be over the moon she didn't want to end things with him! Even if her motivation was not wanting to be manipulated, Palmer was still ecstatic. He held her close, his voice deep and reassuring.

"You can do anything you want, and from now on, by my side, you can always be Noella, not... Loadstar!"