The Killer Queen

Palmer’s parting etiquette was a dime a dozen, and his moves were smooth as silk – the dude was unflappable. But Noella couldn’t shake off the feeling that her hand was getting hot where he touched it.

“Pick me up for what?”

“Aren’t we supposed to swing by to see your grandparents? Got the presents all wrapped up and ready to go.”

Merrick had indeed set a date with her to chow down with the Horwich family tomorrow, and since the Schnabel family folks had a spat and bounced, her plan was to roll with Stirling.

Beckett was jet–setting for business talks, Ulrich was tied up with surgeries until late, and Jasper had court stuff. That left Stirling, who had just wrapped up a movie gig and was heading home.

“Don’t tell me you aren’t planning to bring me along? Grandpa Merrick invited me too, you know.”

Noella was speechless. Since when did her grandpa invite him?

However, Grandma managing to leave the lab and come home was partly thanks to Palmer, and since both families go way back, giving him the cold shoulder wouldn’t be cool.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

Palmer, all lovey–dovey, tapped her cute, upturned nose and cooed, “Good girl.”

in a few

The Pollack Group was up to its eyeballs in deals, so after Palmer nagged Noella with a few reminders, he hightailed it out of the hospital.

No sooner had Palmer left than Vincent, dodging Major Garnett on patrol, snuck into the ward. “Noella, girl, you gotta help your old man out! Your mom got knocked by someone, still unconscious. Since you’re Marcel’s caretaker, put in a good word for us with him so the Schnabels can lend a hand, can you?

Our family has never done anything bad to you, and raising you wasn’t a walk in the park! All these years, whatever you wanted, we gave. You can’t just discard us after you’ve gotten what you wanted!”

Noella’s smirk was laced with sarcasm. “When I was a kid, Grandma asked you for cash for my school. You said girls didn’t need that much book smarts. It was Grandma, behind my back, trash–picking to send me to school.”

Vincent squirmed! This was stuff from when Noella was four or five- how the heck did she remember it like it was yesterday?

“Back then, we were strapped. Your mom and I were pinching pennies, really didn’t have the

11:13

dough for school…”

Noella cracked a smile.

Back then, Briony was living it up at a private kindergarten, thanks to Vincent’s five grand a month. And her? She was depending on Old Mrs. Lambert, tirelessly collecting bottles to save up for her education.

Vincent had swiped all of Old Mrs. Lambert’s savings for his business ventures, not leaving a dime for Noella’s schooling.

“In middle school, Grandma footed the bill for living expenses and tuition. You thought dropping five hundred a month was too steep and even told me to skimp on meals. You weren’t hurting for cash then.”

By that time, Vincent had his mansion, and the family had moved to Tranquility City.

“I’m telling it straight, Noella, Girls with too much cash are bound to go bad. I was looking out for you. Five hundred was plenty for grub. I only spent three hundred a month on food back then!”

“Mr. Lambert, back in the day, you and your wife were slurping down bird’s nests that cost three grand a bowl daily.”

Vincent was speechless. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

This girt! Why the heck did she have to remember all that trivial junk? He had even forgotten those nitty–gritty details. She was heartless, hanging onto all the wrong things. Why didn’t she ever talk about the good stuff they did for her? Plus, if they were really mistreating Noella, would she have turned out this tall and pretty?

“I was just worried you’d stretch out your stomach if you ate too much. It’d be a pain to slim down later, wouldn’t look good. Look at you now; you’re in great shape!

I raised you all these years, even if you don’t give me merit, at least you’ve got to appreciate it was hard work, right? Your grandma is a Lambert, too. Her being good to you is me being good

to you!

Find time to butter up Marcel, get him to prop up our family. Once we’re on.easy street, it’ll only be good for you!”

The door swung open, and in rolled a livid Marcel, pushed by an equally sour–faced Stirling. ready to knock Vincent into next week.

They always thought the Lambert family did right by Noella, but it turned out her childhood was even rougher than they had dug up. What kind of family wouldn’t even give their kids a full meal?

Their only daughter in the Schnabel family had to rely on an old lady picking trash to afford school how bitter was that!

“Mar… Mr. Marcel, I’m Noella’s dad; I’m here because…”

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Marcel gripped the wheelchair’s armrest, not wanting to lose it in front of his granddaughter. gritted his teeth, and spat. “Scram!”

Vincent, faced with the old man’s wrath, was tongue–tied and got hauled out of the ward by Major Garnett.

Tears filled Marcel’s eyes as he motioned for Noella.

“Come here, child.”

“Grandpa, I’m okay.”

Marcel held Noella’s hand, his heart aching. “Noella, you want us to take them down? Just say the word, and I will do anything for you!”

Noella shook her head. “No need to dirty our hands for people who don’t matter. Grandpa, I have a family now. The past doesn’t matter.”

Tears brimming, Marcel turned away and wiped his eyes.

He couldn’t find the words, just patted his granddaughter’s delicate hand firmly. “Good girl. you’re melting your grandpa’s heart!

From now on, you’re one of the Schnabels. Your big bro said we’re moving Old Mrs. Lambert’s grave. The Schnabel family will take over the offerings. Even if it means moving it to our family’s ancestral home, I agree!”

Had it not been for Old Mrs. Lambert taking care of Noella, he might never have met such a wonderful granddaughter.

If Old Mrs. Lambert didn’t mind, the Schnabel family’s ancestral home was the prime spot, a perfect place for the old lady to rest in peace!

“No need, Grandpa. Grandma would probably prefer to stick closer to home. I had my older brother set her up in the family estate, which we’ve also bought.”

Stirling stepped forward and hugged Noella, gently patting her back. “Sis, if anything’s bugging you, you’ve got to spill the beans to your brothers. If that jerk shows up to hassle you again, come straight to me, alright?”

“Got it, Stirling.”

Stirling held Noella tight, his face pressed against her shoulder. She felt a dampness that made her do a double–take.

Was her brother crying?

Stirling’s voice was shaky. “I’m sorry, we didn’t keep you safe. You were right here, and we let that scumbag bother you. It won’t happen again!”

What did that have to do with the Schnabel family? It was Vincent who sneaked in all by himself. The Lambert family folks were always thick–skinned, and the Schnabels, considering them to be Noella’s former kin, didn’t go all out on him.

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The Schnabels played fair, but the Lamberts had no shame. Keeping Vincent at bay was no

easy task.

Noella patted Stirling’s shoulder, turning the tables to comfort her brother.

“I’m fine. I don’t give a hoot about the Lambert folks; don’t worry about me.”

Marcel watched the hugging siblings and made a hooking gesture with his little finger.

Major Garnett bent down, getting close to Marcel.

“Set up a squad to protect the young miss at all times. If those punks from earlier get anywhere near her, kick them out. If push comes to shove, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.”

That ‘don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty‘ meant Marcel was seriously ticked off!

“Understood! We’ll make sure the young miss is safe and sound!”