The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

CHapter 169

The Schnabel family was a mess of tears, and it fell to Noella to console one after the othe

Nothing weighed heavier on the Schnabel brothers‘ hearts than the realization of how tough Noella’s life with their grandmother had been.

Beckett ruffled Noella’s hair, feeling an unbearable ache in his chest. How could their sister have endured such hardships?

Looking at Noella with a stern face, Beckett declared, “Sis, from now on, your brothers will protect you!”

With a gentle smile, Noella replied, “Okay.”

Marcel wiped away his tears, stood up, and handed Noella the USB drive.

“Noella, copy your grandma’s video onto this. Bring it with you tomorrow, it might come in handy.”

A sudden thought struck Noella as she gazed at Marcel’s determined face. Did Grandma have some connection to Lockhart Prison? Was it related to the secret she kept from

her?

From the tone of her grandmother’s voice during the video, it was as if she’d known at the

time that Noella was a Schnabel.

Suppressing her curiosity and without further questioning, Noella nodded and accepted the USB drive.

“Got it.”

After giving his instructions, Marcel turned and went upstairs. His figure seemed to age with every step, a man deeply struck by grief.

Tristan, holding Sienna, cried like a toddler, “Honey, Mom knew she was my mom; I’m not an orphan! And she helped raise Noella, but they lived such a hard life.”

“There, there. Now we’ll make it up to Noella. Let’s move Mom’s plot back to the Schnabel family cemetery, okay?”

Tristan had thought of that too but was worried Harriet might not like it.

“Noella, would Grandma be okay with that?”

After a moment’s thought, Noella nodded. “Grandma would want to be with Dad and me. She knew about you, and she was a good person. She wouldn’t hold the past against Dad.

I don’t know what happened between Grandma and Grandpa, but she wouldn’t blame Dad and my brothers.”

aten burst into tears again! Looking at his precious daughter, so sensible anks to his mother who raised her so well in such tough conditions.

Honey, tomorrow we’re bringing Mom back! And we’ll visit Elara in Emerald County; one daughter has already endured enough hardship, we can’t let the other suffer in the mountains!

“Of course, I’ll come with you.”

Elara, after watching the video sent in the group chat, buried her face in her pillow and wept in silence for a long while.

Her sister and grandmother had suffered too much. Just the thought was enough to sadden her. She realized how caring Noella was because of the hardships she faced in previous years, the ordeal she went through with her grandmother.

Elara took her phone, and after pondering for some time, she eventually decided to send Noella a sum of money. Cold comfort was no substitute for a substantial bank transfer. Noella, puzzled by the unexpected windfall, wondered why her sister had suddenly sent her money.

Elara, with her characteristic generosity, texted: [It’s all for you. That’s the last quarter’s research bonus. I’ll keep earning and buy you even more nice things! Take it, and don’t you dare refuse, or it’s like you’re looking down on me! Buy whatever you want, and if you run out, come to me. If I’m broke, I’ll rob a bank to support you!]

The message was followed by a string of kissy–face emojis.

Noella laughed helplessly and accepted the hard–earned money.

[Thanks, sis. But no need for bank heists. I’m well off, and if you run short for your research, just ask me.]

Truth be told, between Polaris Star’s assets and the allowances from the Schnabel family and the Palmer family, Noella had no idea how much she was worth.

[No worries. If I run out, I’ll just kidnap Mr. Pollack – he’s loaded!]

Elara flaunted her bank transfer in the group chat.

[Seriously, guys? Haven’t you sent Noella any cash? Stingy bunch of dudes. Man, I’m disappointed. Looks like I have to be the guardian of this family.]

The Schnabel men were silent. One after another, Noella’s phone chimed with transfer notifications.

Elara chuckled while her own phone buzzed with incoming transfers from the Schnabel family.

The next morning, the Schnabels were busy rolling eggs over their ey puffiness

the helicopter landed on the lawn, Palmer, with his trench coat billowing in the wind, pproached the Schnabel Manor with an air of nobility. His austere presence and piercing eyes exuded an almost intimidating aura, which could send shiver down the onlooker’s spine. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Noella, that frosty demeanor melted into a look of tender warmth.

“Is the Schnabel family breakfast all about eggs today?”

Sienna quickly ushered Palmer inside, “Come on in, Palmer. Have breakfast first. You’ll be in charge of Noella’s safety for the next few days!”

“You can count on me to keep Noella safe.”

The Schnabel brothers huffed, somewhat distrustful, but since they couldn’t go to Lockhart Prison themselves, they had no choice but to rely on him; otherwise they’d never allow their sister to risk going to that perilous place.

Beckett, with a deadpan expression, warned, “Mr. Pollack, if my sister comes to any harm, the Pollack Group will pay dearly.”

Tristan cursed, “Shut it! If you can’t say anything lucky, keep your mouth shut! Talking about harm and retribution, I’ll knock you out myself!”

In a fit of anger, Tristan threw an egg at Beckett, who caught it with a stern face and returned to nursing his swollen eyes in silence.

Palmer couldn’t suppress a chuckle. With long strides, he came over to Noella and sat down, taking his time to share the morning meal with her.

Both Noella and Palmer had the daunting Lockhart Prison on their minds, leading them to pick at their food. The rest of the Schnabels was in a hurry to head to Linefort City to relocate Harriet’s grave, quickly wrapping up their meal.

After breakfast, a convoy of cars rolled out of the Schnabel Manor, while Noella and Palmer’s helicopter set its course towards Lockhart Prison.

Lockhart Prison.

At the edge of the frontier, a formidable international penitentiary painted in the darkest hues stood as a testament to human depravity. It housed the worst of the worst: notorious drug lords and arms dealers who were destined to spend their final days within these walls.

In Lockhart Prison, no one could keep secrets. Only those who bared their deepest, darkest secrets could meet their end. Otherwise, they faced inhumane torment that was beyond imagination.

RIA

05:47

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Prisoners, shackled at the ankles, trudged across the vast yard, their movements

restricted and weary. Beyond the towering walls, not a sliver of light offered hope; the prison was an immense cage.

The helicopter hovered in the sky.

Noella peered down at Lockhart Prison, “Where’s the rendezvous point?”

“Inside. Down there are the common criminals – drug traffickers, human smugglers, or serial killers.”

Such inmates were confined to the outermost layers of Lockhart Prison. To reach the core, one had to traverse a raging river.

In the midst of the river stood an isolated plot, akin to an island, utterly cut off from the world.

The prison’s inner sanctum was reserved for those whose crimes were so heinous that they would warrant execution multiple times over in their own countries.

From high above, they could sometimes spot sharks patrolling the waters.

Noella frowned as she surveyed the scene, “We’re in the crosshairs of at least a dozen snipers!”