The Killer Queen

Palmer put the chess piece back on the board and walked out of the hospital room, No sooner had he stepped out than he bumped into a frantic Calvin.

“Mr. Calvin, doing rounds?”

Calvin, seeing Palmer, wiped the sweat from his brow. “Mr. Pollack, I got a call that someone’s been tampering with the meds I prescribed for the old–timers. A patient kicked the bucket because of changes made to their prescription, causing post–op complications. Just here to check things out.”

He looked around but couldn’t spot the person he was searching for.

Palmer, catching on, raised an eyebrow and asked, “Got a meeting, Mr. Calvin?” Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Calvin, irritated, said, “Darn it, I told you before that I’d spotted a medical prodigy I wanted to snag for my lab. Looks like I’m a step behind; she’s already vamoosed.”

“For someone to be called a ‘prodigy” by you must be quite something.”

Realizing his search was futile, Calvin sighed. “If you’d ever taken up medicine, you’d be at prodigy too. Too bad, all you think about is making bank.”

Palmer just smiled, saying nothing.

Exiting the hospital, the driver, Wren, had the car spick–and–span, respectfully waiting for Noella.

“Miss, did you see Mr. Marcel?”

Noella nodded, boarding the car. Now that the car was clean, she could confirm it was a special model provided to the government and military.

Bulletproof, according to the reports she had seen when involved in research, and judging by the way those folks treated Marcel, it wasn’t hard to guess her granddad’s clout.

Her family had nothing to do with the ‘broke‘ Vincent rambled about. Maybe they kept a low profile because of their unique status?

And those who wanted Marcel gone? She wasn’t going to let them off easy.

All smiles, Wren said, “Mr. Marcel has been yakking about you for ages. Just now, Mr. Tristan Schnabel and his wife called; they’re waiting at home for you!”

Noella nodded again. She had figured out her new home wasn’t the poor house Vincent had described.

Even with her mental prep, Noella was still taken aback when Wren drove straight into Imperial City’s priciest neighborhood, the Golden Age Community.

She was rendered speechless.

Get this the smallest flat in the Golden Age Community could buy five Lambert Mansions!

Not to mention, Wren stopped in the villa section of the community!

The villa was the belle of the ball, with all the other houses circled around it.

“We’re home, Miss.”

Noella gazed at the sprawling villa and the 3000–square–foot garden with a twinge of surprise.

A 3000–square–foot garden might be peanuts elsewhere, but this was Imperial City!

At the villa’s entrance, Tristan Schnabel and Sienna Horwich, the couple, were already waiting.

As Noella stepped out, ribbons in the couple’s hands took flight.

Behind them was a whole troop of servants with bouquets, ribbons fluttered down on Noella like a grand celebration.

Everyone shouted in unison, “Welcome home, Miss!”

Noella was confused.

What in the world was this spectacle?

Seeing the Schnabels not giving Noella the cold shoulder for being away for years, Wren was relieved and drove off to report back to Marcel.

Noella was covered in streamers.

Tristan and Sienna rushed over, each grabbing one of Noella’s hands.

Sienna went in for the hug. “Darling! So glad you’re back! Mom’s been missing you so much. I could only manage three meals, afternoon tea, and a late–night snack!”

Noella was speechless.

That’s a full house, isn’t it?

But the embrace felt warm.

Couldn’t recall Belinda ever hugging her like this, though she often saw her comforting Briony that way.

And she had thought that was all there was to a mother’s love.

Turns out, a mother’s embrace could be as tender and warm as spring.

After Sienna had her cry, she took a good look at Noella.

Noella had some of her features, her skin soft and fair like a peeled egg, standing there so prettily.

Seeing her daughter looking so good, Sienna felt the tears coming back.

Holding her daughter, she realized how skinny she was!

She was almost 5’7” and skinny as a rail in her arms. She wondered how the Lambert family had been raising her girl to be this way.

Wren had mentioned on the phone that the Lamberts were dirt poor, all crammed into a tiny house without even a separate room for a maid.

“You’ve had it tough, baby. It’s all good now. Mom’s here to protect you!”

Tristan, not to be outdone, kept nodding. “Yeah, yeah, we might not be filthy rich, but we can make sure you’re well–fed and clothed!”

Noella glanced at the row of luxury cars parked on the lawn behind Tristan, thinking, “Not filthy rich?”

Following her gaze. Tristan slapped his forehead.

“Oh, you must love the garden, right? Ours is a bit on the small side, but no worries- I’ll get you a castle and estate in Franse to enjoy during your holidays!”

Sienna, leading Noella toward the villa, cautiously asked, “Honey, do you prefer Frensh or Italonian estates? Royal ones are okay too; just a bit of a hassle to kick them out first.”

Noella was speechless.

Just like that, they were talking about booting out royalty like it was no big deal?

“No need. Anywhere’s fine. I’m not keen on going abroad right now.”

Both parents eagerly agreed, “Alright, we’ll get you something here. Mom’s got a 2,000–acre garden in Shangri–Ra- it’s all yours now.”

Inside the villa, it was all glitz and glam. The floor tiles cost hundreds of thousands, the trash bins were gifts exclusive to customers who spent 200 million dollars on a certain brand, the chandelier was worth 60 million, and everywhere one looked, there were pricey antiques and masterpieces…

Sienna’s w

wrist was rocking a jade necklace that was straight–up emperor–level bling. It fetched a whopping 600 million at an international auction just last month.

This jade set, personally carved by the Gemstone Gambling King himself, was born from a nondescript rock that turned out to be flawless top–notch jade–the necklace, earrings, bracelet, and bangle – each piece a stunner.

At the auction, it was a total frenzy, with wealthy tycoons clawing over each other to snag it. The final price? An incredible 678 million.

Who would’ve thought it would end up in the Schnabel family’s treasure chest?

Sienna caught Noella eyeing the jade. “Babe, you like this necklace? It’s all yours!”

As Sienna moved to drape it around her, Noella quickly stopped her. “No, I’m more into

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Amethyst Gems.”

Her young age just didn’t live with this royal–grade jade. Sienna, with her graceful beauty and dignified poise, was the perfect match for it.

But what really blew Noella’s mind was thinking about that 600 million sale with a sweet 80% probably tining Sienna’s own pockets. Talk about speechless.

Meanwhile, the nanny was over there, rolling her eyes.

This jade set was Miss Yvonne’s crush. She begged Sienna for it a bunch of times but got shot down. This country bumpkin clearly had no clue what’s precious.

Amethyst Gems? Pfft, might as well be cheap glass beads.

Sienna’s all in. “Totally; Amethyst Gem’s got that vibe, y’know? I’ve got a decent set of them in my room. I’ll hook you up tonight!”

Noella’s feeling all sorts of emotions. “Violet Cloud Fairy?”

Sienna was beaming. “Yeah, you know about the Violet Cloud Fairy? It’s gorgeous! And now it’s yours!”

Noella had no words.

Suddenly, she was dying to know just how much of the Gemstone Gambling King’s loot ended up in the Schnabel family’s deep pockets.

Tristan ushers Noella into the living room.

“Your room’s all set. If it’s not to your liking, we can switch it up for you. We thought about giving you our room, but then we realized the furniture’s all old school!”

Sienna hands over a pile of food. “Sweetie, eat up. You’re looking way too skinny. Didn’t the Lamberts feed you right or what?”

Even though the Lambert couple was rather indifferent, they never skimped on the meals.

Noella stares at a bowl of soup in her hands. It looked like the average cabbage soup, but it was actually a fancy–schmancy dish straight from state banquets, with the broth alone costing a five–figure sum.

More importantly, one could not just throw money at getting a state banquet chef to whip it up.