The Killer Queen

The tone on the phone turned extremely unpleasant. “I’ve been polite enough. Now hurry up and bring Noella to the station. If she ticks off the Lambert family, she won’t be able to handle the heat! Heard your whole family’s farming and chicken–raising in Emerald County. Better watch out, or you might not have land to work on soon!”

Elara was left speechless.

Polite? That’s not even fit for human ears!

While her number might be from Emerald County, her account was under full surveillance by the State Security Bureau. It was practically a government–issued phone. And blocking her from raising chickens- was this person trying to pick a fight with the Harmonia Country Science Research Institute?

Was the Lambert family some kind of big shot? Did the daughter of the Schnabel family have to give a hoot about the Lambert family’s status?

Elara’s veins were popping on the back of her hand, a mouthful of curses poised on her lips, but when she met Noella’s worried gaze across the table, she swallowed it back down.

The mere thought of her sweet little sister living among those sorts of people made Elara almost bent the metal fork she was holding out of shape!

“Dickheads.”

Elara took a deep breath, hung up the phone, blocked the number, and then continued peeling shrimp for Noella with her insured hands.

“Here, these are shrimps just air–flown in. Eat up.”

“Thanks.”

Beckett noticed the fork by Elara’s hand, a cold glint in his eyes. “Who called and got you so worked up?”

“Just some dickheads, nothing important. Beckett, let’s stream Noella’s birthday bash worldwide, shall we? I’ve bought a couple of screens at Era Square to loop the broadcast!”

She was going to make sure the whole world knew that Noella was their Schnabel family girl! Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry could come around and mess with her!

was the

Sienna first to cheer on. “Oh, that’s great! I thought the party wasn’t grand enough, and it would be unfair to Noella. Can you get in touch with the PR department to make sure everyone watching TV sees Noella’s birthday live?”

“Sure, I’ll call the PR department right away and ask. Beckett, come with me to the study. Let’s talk about how to pull this off!”

“Alright.” Beckett put on his suit jacket and followed Elara.

12:24

LINDIFI 29

Noella was at a loss for words.

A global broadcast for just a birthday? Was that really necessary?

But seeing the whole family plotting for her birthday, and meeting Sienna’s tearful eyes. Noella’s heart melted again.

In the study. Elara’s face grew serious, dropping the smile. “Beckett, what kind of life has our sister been living? The Lambert family called me, saying if she doesn’t forgive the Lambert mother and daughter, they’ll make sure she can’t live a good life!”

Beckett knew Elara had more to discuss when she called him to the study. Upon hearing her words, a chilling smile crept onto his refined face.

“The damn Lambert family! Taking them down is easy, but we should ask Noella first. After all she’s lived with them for years. We wouldn’t want to upset her if she happens to hold any attachment.”

Elara understood this point. “I’m also worried that she might still have some attachment to them, and knowing how they treated them could upset her. They called us dirt–poor farmers. as if they think we’re broke!”

Beckett was at a loss for words. It was the first time since he was born that he heard someone call the Schnabel family poor.

He pursed his thin lips, gracefully removed his glasses, and wiped them with a tissue, his movements smooth and elegant.

“There are many ways to deal with a Lambert family, but we still have to ask Noella. Whatever she says, we’ll respect her wishes.”

Elara nodded.

Stepping out of the study, they saw Noella holding a fruit platter at the door, her soft hair cascading behind her ears, looking extra docile in her home clothes.

“Mom sent this since you didn’t eat much earlier.”

Sienna, treating all her children equally, noticed that Elara and Beckett were too busy serving Noella to eat much themselves.

“Thanks, Noella. Come in; Beckett and I have something to tell you.”

Noella followed her inside. Elara told her everything about the phone call and then carefully asked, “How do you think we should handle this?”

Noella was calm, showing no signs of distress. “I won’t go to the police, nor will I forgive them.”

The Lambert family was history to her.

Beckett breathed a sigh of relief. Although he would support whatever decision Noella made, he was glad she wasn’t upset about the Lambert family’s attitude.

19-24

Noelia smiled, meeting the concerned dazes of Beckett and Elara. “I won’t waste my energy bene upset over people who aren’t worth it. My family is Grandpa, Mom, Dad, the brothers, and sixty.”

As for the Lambert family, they hadn’t been a part of her life since she left!

Remembering the video Yvonne showed her, Elara touched her nose and tentatively asked, “Noella, do you have a boy you like?”

Beckett immediately tensed up, sitting up straight to look at Noella.

Noella shook her head. “No, why do you ask?”

Elara gave her a knowing look.

Noella must be shy!

“Noella, it doesn’t matter who you fancy. The Schnabel family doesn’t give a hoot about social status or family background. Even if the guy’s family doesn’t have two pennies to rub together, as long as he treats you right and you’re head over heels, worst–case scenario, he can just marry into our family, right?”

Noella was left speechless.

For some reason, Elara’s words suddenly brought Palmer to her mind. But for someone like Palmer to marry into the family? He probably wouldn’t be down for that.

With that thought. Noella felt her face grow unexpectedly warm.

“Sure, we’ve got that engagement hanging over our heads, but if you’re not into the Pollack family’s young master, we can just call the whole thing off!”

Beckett coughed lightly, interrupting Elara’s wild talk.

“Cut the crap. What do you mean ‘call it off? The engagement between the Pollack family and us was set in stone by the old timers: it’s not something you can just change your mind about so easily. If Noella’s got someone she’s into, we can just keep him around the house, can’t we? As my sister, what’s the harm in having a few extra guys around?”

Noella was at a loss for words,

What’s this ‘keep him around the house‘ business? What’s with the ‘few extra guys‘ comment? Had the Schnabel family became that open?

Beckett patted Noella on the head. “I will take care of the Lambert family situation, don’t you worry. How could our little Schnabel princess suffer even the slightest bit?”

*Thanks. I’m gonna go rest now.”

“Off you go.”

Noella knew Elara and Beckett had more to discuss, so she closed the study door behind her

and left.

Beckett’s expression shifted instantly, his demeanor turning dark as storm clouds. “Elara, call the State Security Bureau. Inform them that someone’s threatening your lab, repeatedly harassing you, and might be trying to swipe some state secrets.”

Elara nodded in agreement, and they exchanged a glance, each recognizing the towering rage in the other’s eyes.

The Lambert family had truly crossed a line this time!

In the Lambert Mansion, Vincent paced the living room, visibly agitated.

“Mr. Lambert, I’ve reached out to the folks in Emerald County and told them to promptly send Noella back to apologize to Mrs. and Ms. Lambert.”

“What did they say? When’s Noella getting here?”

The secretary hesitated, “Those yokels are so unreasonable. They just hung up on me and had the nerve to call you ‘dickheads“!” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Vincent’s head was throbbing with anger!

“I never should have been so nice, taking Noella in all those years. Briony’s my flesh and blood, and Noella just can’t stand seeing Briony living the good life now. She’s scheming to worm her way back into our family! Briony and Belinda kidnapping her? Was that really a kidnapping? It was more–like arranging for someone to take her back to Emerald County, or else she would’ve kept squatting in Imperial City! She’s a parasite on society!”

The secretary stepped closer, standing by Vincent’s side.

found Noella near the entrance of

“Mr. Lambert, Madam and Miss mentioned they kidnapped Rising Glory Mall. Maybe you should check out Rising Glory Mall? If you can find her and get her to sign a settlement agreement, Madam and Miss will be safe.”

A flicker of hope sparked in Vincent’s eyes!