The Killer Queen

Master Rainer knew exactly what was on his mind. If Garrick ever stepped out of line, well, then it was no big deal to send him packing a bit earlier than planned

A color of fierce appeared in his eyes, “Noella, remember this–Il Garrick dares to lay a finger on you, you use those tricks our old geezers taught you, and send him packing. Blow him to smithereens and no coffin needed! That old coot really thinks he still calls the shots around Polaris Star? If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t even be-”

Realizing he was saying too much, Master Rainer chose to mute himself, closing his eyes to rest.

Noella, seeing the hesitation in Master Rainer’s expression, didn’t press further It seemed that neither her mentor nor her grandmother was telling her everything!

Upon entering the Schnabel Manor in Phoenix Tower at the Serene Haven, Beckett and Noella were sneakily pulled aside by Sienna into the quaint garden.

With a secretive air, Sienna produced a thick stack of brochures that showcased various banquet options and wedding planner portfolios.

“Noella, where do you think would be the perfect spot for your brother Ulrich’s engagement party?” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Huh?! Since when is Ulrich engaged? He doesn’t even have a girlfriend, does he?”

Beckett looked just as shocked, “Since when does he have a girlfriend?”

Ulrich had been a lifetime bachelor, his most intimate contact with the opposite sex being in the operating room.

Where on earth did he find someone? And they’ve progressed to an engagement?

Sienna gestured upstairs, lowering her voice to spill the events of the day

Noella and Beckett fell silent

After a moment, Beckett picked out the bits he could share and revealed the truth to Sienna.

“What? So you’re saying Ulrich dressed up like that because of a blast? Not because he was up to no good?”

Noella nodded firmly. “Mom, you’ve got it wrong.”

Sienna put down her materials, a mix of deep disappointment and relief in her voice.

“Well, that’s a relief. I mean, it would have been so unbecoming of him. I’m afraid it scared away poor Malvina. Oh dear, there goes my daughter–in–law!”

Around the comer, Malvina, who had been eavesdropping w

with a cup

in hand, blushed furiously. She nearly bit her tongue when she heard the conversation and tumed to leave, only to bump into Ulrich behind her. Her nose hit his solid chest, and she winced in pain,

“Ouch! That hurts! Dr. Schnabel, you-

Sienna and Noella humed in from the garden while hearing the commotion, only to see Ulrich and Malvina quickly disappearing

Beckett, eyeing the direction of the hall, was also puzzad What’s the brat up to? Why did he just rush off with Ms. Gruber like that? It was so rude!”

Marcel, who had been sipping coffee, sighed. He set his cup down and walked away hands behind his back, “When are these kids going to give me great–grandchildren with such bad brains?”

Tristan wasn’t a fool, yet why were his children so clueless?

During Imperial University’s opening ceremony

The entire Schnabel family had risen early to attend Noella’s university commencement;

It had been ages since they last attended an opening ceremony, back when Elara was still in elementary school.

There was a

was a plethora of gifts lay before Noella, each one an opening present from her family members.

Sienna wiped away tears, “My darling, we missed so many of your school days, but we’ll make it all up to you!”

Last night, the Schnabel family had unearthed an old school video of Noella, which was filmed to promote a charity project for village kids with each child only having half a minute of screen time.

Stirling had stumbled upon the video while filming in the mountains and shipped it back, unable to retum in time.

Watching little Noella beam on the screen, the family wept together. Seeing them ice their swollen eyes the next moming, Noella felt a

bittersweet warmth.

10:26

Those blurred images, treasured like the lost time they represented, were precious to her family. They all loved her!

Elara had taken leave from the lab just to attend Noella’s ceremony.

them for prepare

you every

year!”

“I used to get gifts when I started school too. From now on, well

Surrounded by gifts of all sizes, Malvina watched Noella with a sparkle in her eyes as she rested her chin upon her hands.

“So people do get opening gifts.. she murmured.

The harmony of the Schnabel family was something she’d never experienced. Compared to the chaotic mess of the Gruber family, witnessing the Schnabel’s affection was eye–opening. Here was a family that gave without expecting returns, where love was about feeling forever indebted, not making a loss.

Malvina fell a twinge in her nose. She was like a stray cat peeking at the bliss of a house cat.

The family escorted Noella to school in a grand entourage,

The auditorium was packed with students and families for the opening ceremony, yet few had the Schnabel’s level of attendance.

“How lucky to have so many people send her off.”

“Psh, all grown up and still the whole family shows up. What a baby!”

The girl speaking was dressed in a chic designer dress that must have cost a pretty penny. She could tell that Noella was wearing the latest collection from Azure, a piece you couldn’t just buy with money. When she tried to reserve it, she was told it had already been snapped up.

To her surprise, it was Noella who had snagged it. Just one look and she knew Noella was a classic nouveau riche. She even had her whole family drop her off at school.

Someone nudged her arm, “Oriana, watch what you say. That’s Noelle Schnabel of the Schnabel family. We don’t want to mess with her.”

Oriana scoffed dismissively.

“So what if she’s Ms. Noella Schnabel? Probably bought her way into her diploma. Bet she’s never even taken the SATS.”

Mizac, who was posing as a student, chuckled along. “Exactly! She was headhunted by the university. Never had to take the SATs. The dean from Medi Core University visited the Schnabel estate a bunch of times, hoping that Ms. Noella would study medicine.”

“Oh my God, she got headhunted? I didn’t realize Ms. Noella was not only gorgeous but also so academically gifted!”

As Oriana listened to the gasps of admiration, her face tightened, and she couldn’t hide her sour expression.

“People meant for medicine coming into our design program? She might not have a knack for it. Does she think jewelry design is piece of cake? It takes more than a little drawing skill. In Oriana’s eyes, Noella, who was born with everything, was nothing but upstarts!

“You should hold your tongue. Your crush is Ms. Noella’s brother, and you’re so into Stirling. His sister must be great too”

That struck a nerve with Oriana, and she said, “Stirling is different! Everything he’s got, he earned through hard work and determination. She doesn’t know anything!”

Whenever Stirling came up. Onana’s passion fared,

get where he was

ady whipped out her phone to show everyone how hard he had worked to

“Stirling works so hard, and how can he have a sister like that! If he knew his family was living it up while he’s out there busting his chops on set, he’d be heartbroken!” she exclaimed

Mizar rolled her eyes and began to tease, “Oh, you understand, do you? Just because her family brings her to school, that’s living it up? Or are you just jealous no one’s dropping you off? I see your screensaver is a photoshopped wedding picture with Stirling What, are you his dream girl? Does he know you’re badmouthing his sister behind his back?”