The Killer Queen

Sienna wiped away her tears and nodded in agreement. “If you ever feel overwhelmed, Noella, just tell me I’ll make sure your brothers lend a hand!”

Her words camed a hint of quilt

But the Schnabel family’s affairs were too much for Sienna to handle. After all, the children had grown up, each proving to be smart and capable. It was time for them to take over the reins

She had longed to retime with Tristan and travel the world! If it weren’t for their desire to see Noella off to college first, Sienna and Tristan would probably already be globetrotting. She had meticulously planned their travel itinery!

Noella, seeing the excitement mixed with a touch of sheepishness on Sienna’s face, couldn’t help but smile.

Her mother was quite adorable

“Don’t worry, Mom, I ask Beckett if I’m not sure about something.”

The issues at Serene Haven weren’t too numerous. Many of the problems with the Schnabel family’s staff stemmed from the remnants left by Ashlyn, who wasn’t exactly squeaky clean.

When Ashlyn first mamed Marcel, she nearly brought her dog from her village to the Schnabel household to establish some kind of pecking order.

Sienna, upon taking over the household, had chosen not to replace the old staff, instead managing with them for years. However, this compromise had led to significant problems

Beckett rose to serve Sienna some soup, his tone soothing. “I’ve had someone Investigate the social media accounts of all the Schnabel family’s servants. Queenie was an exception; though others might not be clean, they’re not as egregious. However, we’ve found substantial sums of money flowing into Queenie’s account, and we’re tracking the source.”

Noella looked up, her voice calm. “It’s probably from people interested in the Schnabel family”

Though Queenje was bold, making contacts with many wanting to pry into the Schnabel family’s affairs, she didn’t have access to any real secrets

The Schnabel family’s studies were off–limits to the nannies. The children of the Schnabel family cleaned their studies themselves, and with plenty of surveillance installed, Queenie couldn’t find an opportunity to sneak in even if she wanted to.

The information she sold was mostly fabricated by her.

“Queenie has sold quite a bit of our family’s information, but it’s mostly false. For instance, she claimed Mom loves eating caviar and demands it be prepared at three in the morning.”

Sienna had never asked anyone to wake up at three to cook caviar!

Such rumors were absurd, but many were willing to believe them, contributing to Queenie’s income from these falsehoods.

Tristan suddenly stood up, fork still in hand. “I knew something was off when people kept sending me caviar for the past few years! There were rumors of me having an affair with a nanny, that we were expecting a new child, and that Sienna and I were on the brink of divorce!”

All the gossip and scandalous news had been spread by Queenie!

Tristan was near confusion, and if Sienna hadn’t known him so well, she might have had her doubts. Thinking back on those rumors, Tristan felt like crying.

“Noella, you have no idea. People even said that to marry into our family, you had to have five children, and that we favored boys over girls, which is why no one courted Beckett for years.”

Beckett’s mouth twitched.

Those rumors were ancient history. Was Tristan bringing them up now just as an excuse for him to go on dates?

“Let it go, Dad. No one courting me is my choice, not because of the rumors.” This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

“You don’t know squat! Those things kept me up at night, and you’re nearly thirty!”

Beckett rolled his eyes discreetly.

With Tristan’s penchant for dozing off while watching TV if he was up at night, it surely meant he’d napped too much during the day. “Can’t sleep? Maybe you should find a night job while you’re still young, to save up for Noella and Elara’s wedding gifts”

“Insolent! With you still single, I can hardly hold my head up when I walk!”

“Then maybe don’t hold your head up. Walk with it down, less chance of tripping.”

Tristan was so frustrated he nearly choked, while Noella pretended not to hear, sharing a secret laugh with Sienna.

10 52

Meanwhile, Beckett dealt with Tristan’s marriage nagging as he peeled shrimp for Noella and Sienna.

Dinner was a raucous affalt and once finished, Tristan left a mountain of dishes on the table. “That’s what you get for arguing with me–tonight, you’re on dish duty!”

With the Schnabel family’s servants under investigation, the house was short on dishwashers.

Noella looked at the pile of dishes, then at Beckett, who was beginning to clear them alone.

“Beckett, let me help you.”

Beckett, already tying an apron around his waist with the practiced ease of a domesticated finance mogul, shook his head affectionately

“No need. You go keep Mom company. It’s just a matter of loading the dishwasher; our family doesn’t need the little sister to do chores. Even when Elara was home, she never had to clean up.”

Look how good his sister was!

He knew Tristan had purposely picked a fight during dinner just to saddle him with dishwashing duty! Otherwise, why would he wait until now to bring up those issues?

“That’s Dad’s old trick. I am used to it. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“Then let me help you start the dishwasher.”

“Sure, thanks, Noella.”

Beckett was clearly not new to household tasks, his movements steady and efficient. He stacked a dozen plates and still managed to free up a hand to wipe down the counter.

Noella was amazed!

Once the dishwasher was humming along. Beckett offered a restrained smile. “Back when I was studying abroad, I had to fend for myself. Now that I’m home, I have to look after your good–for– nothing brothers as well. I guess it’s just what I’m used to.” “You’re pretty awesome, Beckett. The praise was heartfelt and sincere. Even the folks from Polaris Star didn’t expect their staff back a stack of dishes taller than a man to the kitchen.

Beckett’s grin was all confidence. His little sister had given him a compliment!

“Go get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the Pollack family’s party.

Noella nodded in agreement.

M to lug

The following day. Larson spread the word early, eager to turn things around swiftly stops to ensure a well–attended event.

and quash the viral rumors. He pulled out all the

Yvonne, holding a glass of fine wine, her gown concealing burn scars that hadn’t fully healed, had a face brimming with anticipation. Her own mother had asked her to come to Larson’s party to meet her!

of the woman who had reached out to her.

Yvonne’s heart was aflutter with excitement as she scoured the room for

It must be the lady engaged in conversation with Larson! Could this mean her mother might be Larson’s wife?

Yvonne’s heart threatened to leap out of her chest with excitement.

To become part of the Pollack family would secure her future! And it would certainly bring her closer to that remarkable man she had her eye on.