The Killer Queen

In the expansive gallery, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only Noella’s voice audible as she inspected the artworks, ordering some to be repositioned or even taken down.

Noella was standing before a painting. In the picture, a fairy–like girl descended before snow–capped hills, with her dress fluttering in the breeze beneath the towering canvas.

Travis sidled up to introduce it, “Miss, this piece is Miss Yvonne’s submission for the exhibition. It’s an original by Miss Yvonne herself, and even Mr. Schnabel is aware of it. He’s even said she’s got quite the knack for painting.”

Yvonne’s work?

“Travis, have you ever laid eyes on Master Killian’s ‘The Mountain Portray’?” she asked.

“I haven’t had the privilege to feast my eyes on every one of Master Killian’s pieces,” he replied. Killian’s no ordinary Joe–he’s a master of oil painting, a national treasure! His artworks are so coveted they’re gifted straightaway to visiting dignitaries of Harmonia Country.

How could a gallery manager like him get a peep whenever he wished?

“The Mountain Portray is actually hanging in my study right now.”

Noella whipped out her phone and showed Travis the masterpiece gracing her study.

The Schnabels had set up a study for each kid, and since they didn’t have a clue about Noella’s tastes, Sienna had asked for her input when decorating, tailoring it to her preferences.

“The Mountain Portray” was the first painting Master Killian had gifted Noella. The picture was inspired by her elegant gesture and it was one of a kind.

Even when Killian had exhibitions, he’d flaunted that painting too.

The painting here? It was completely a knockoff of “The Mountain Portray“!

Travis broke into a cold sweat as he compared the image on Noella’s phone to the painting hanging before them, “Miss, I mean, this is Miss Yvonne’s work after all. We can’t just… take it down on a whim..

Noella coolly stated, “My gallery is open to creation and imitation. Master Killian always welcomes those who wish to learn his techniques, but claiming a forgery as an original? That’s a no–go. This painting needs to go.”

“Understood, I’m on it.”

With no other choice, Travis reluctantly dialed up Yvonne.

“What? Has Noella lost her marbles? Who gave her the right to toss out my work? That gallery was supposed to be Grandpa’s, what gives her the authority to call the shots?” Yvonne shot back.

12:23

“Ms. Yvonne, now Noella is the boss of the gallery. Your grandpa has already gifted it to her.”

Yvonne nearly crushed her phone in fury!

She had her eye on that gallery for ages, perfect in location and prestige for her. If only Merrick cut it loose and gifted it to her, her standing among the Imperial City’s elite ladies would be unmatched.

She fell for “The Mountain Portray” at a gallery stroll and had managed to replicate it with great effort. Master Killian had taken the original back and hardly anyone had seen it. Even Beckett hadn’t noticed the forgery when it was hung. How could Noella tell it was fake?

That country bumpkin must be green with envy of her talent and trying to smear her reputation! Her malice was just too vile!

Yvonne slammed her pillow a few times in a rage, Then she grabbed her bag, stormed out the door, and headed straight for Merrick’s place.

It was just because she hadn’t been schmoozing up to the old man lately that Noella found her opening. She must’ve fed Merrick some kind of love potion to get him to hand over the gallery!

Meanwhile Noella stepped out of the gallery to spot a sleek and understated Aston Martin parked across the street.

The car was a limited global release; only those with a hefty bank balance got to test drive it, let alone buy at a hefty price tag. And the car was even customized. The passersby couldn’t help but stop and stare.

Annie, who was impeccably dressed in a suit, stood before it and greeted Noella with a bow and a smile.

Noella strode towards the car and slid in as Annie held the door open for her.

Inside, Palmer was the picture of sophistication in a bespoke suit, his tie crisp. Whether by chance or design, his lapel sported a leaf decoration, which was clearly an Azure original. And that was worth a pretty penny.

No barely

remembered crafting that suit herself; it must’ve been last year when some big shot from Kitai requested a few custom pieces from Azure. With Polaris Star in a financial pinch, she’d worked through the night to get it done.

To think, the only suit Azure ever made was for Palmer.

Kitai had even remarked on the suit’s owner having a great figure, saying if he were a male model who topped the industry.

At the thought, Noella blushed and coughed awkwardly.

Palmer, who had been reviewing financial reports, looked up with concern, “Feeling off? Annie.

“Ms. Yvonne, now Noella is the boss of the gallery. Your grandpa has already gifted it to her.”

Yvonne nearly crushed her phone in fury!

She had her eye on that gallery for ages, perfect in location and prestige for her. If only Merrick cut it loose and gifted it to her, her standing among the Imperial City’s elite ladies would be unmatched.

She fell for “The Mountain Portray” at a gallery stroll and had managed to replicate it with great effort. Master Killian had taken the original back and hardly anyone had seen it. Even Beckett hadn’t noticed the forgery when it was hung. How could Noella tell it was fake?

That country bumpkin must be green with envy of her talent and trying to smear her reputation! Her malice was just too vile!

Yvonne slammed her pillow a few times in a rage, Then she grabbed her bag, stormed out the door, and headed straight for Merrick’s place.

It was just because she hadn’t been schmoozing up to the old man lately that Noella found her opening. She must’ve fed Merrick some kind of love potion to get him to hand over the gallery!

Meanwhile Noella stepped out of the gallery to spot a sleek and understated Aston Martin parked across the street.

The car was a limited global release; only those with a hefty bank balance got to test drive it, let alone buy at a hefty price tag. And the car was even customized. The passersby couldn’t help but stop and stare.

Annie, who was impeccably dressed in a suit, stood before it and greeted Noella with a bow and a smile.

Noella strode towards the car and slid in as Annie held the door open for her.

Inside, Palmer was the picture of sophistication in a bespoke suit, his tie crisp. Whether by chance or design, his lapel sported a leaf decoration, which was clearly an Azure original. And that was worth a pretty penny.

Noella barely remembered crafting that suit herself; it must’ve been last year when some big shot from Kitai requested a few custom pieces from Azure. With Polaris Star in a financial pinch, she’d worked through the night to get it done.

To think, the only suit Azure ever made was for Palmer.

Kitai had even remarked on the suit’s owner having a great figure, saying if he were a male model who topped the industry.

At the thought, Noella blushed and coughed awkwardly.

Palmer, who had been reviewing financial reports, looked up with concern. “Feeling off? Annie,

let’s swing by the hospital.”

“No need, I’m a doctor myself.” Noella replied.

Palmer put away his reports and reached for Noella’s hand with a hint of guilt, his expression softening a lot under the cabin lights.

“Sorry, I’ve been a bit tied up these past few days and couldn’t keep you company.” He apologized.

I never said I needed company, did 1? As Noella mused that and tried to pull her hand back, Palmer let her by releasing it with a smile.

He just wanted to check if her hands were cold. He didn’t want to do anything that might annoy her, though he was reluctant to let go..

But as she withdrew her hand, Noella felt an odd twinge of disappointment.

“How’d you know I was here?” she asked him.

“I called the Horwich Mansion and Grandpa Merrick told me. I remember this gallery belonging to him. Came to check out some art?”

He was still in the dark about her fondness for art galleries. With Pollack Group owning several, he could easily gift her one.

“Came to work.” She said.

Palmer was a bit caught off guard – he hadn’t expected Merrick to be so generous. The girl had just turned nineteen, and he’s already letting her take the reins of the gallery.

“Artists can be a bit of a handful, you know? If you ever need anything, my fiancée, just hit me up. I’ve got your back,”

Running a gallery wasn’t as easy as pie, the toughest part being dealing with the artists who were as stubborn as mules.

He couldn’t stand the thought of his precious little lady being driven up the wall by those artists. who act like they’re the next big thing.

Noella played it cool, “I doubt their temperaments are worse than those of the Obelisk Organization’s folks.”

Palmer paused for a sec, then it clicked – his fiancée wasn’t some delicate flower in a greenhouse. She was a force to be reckoned with, a worthy adversary.

If she could handle hitmen on the border, a few artists would be a walk in the park. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

But when she spoke, there was this subtle pride in her voice, and that dainty chin lifted in a charming arc that made Palmer’s heart skip a beat.

His smile turned extra soft and tender, “Of course, my fiancée is the baddest of them all. I just hate to see you upset. How about joining me for dinner?”

12:23

It’s not every day that the big cheese of the Pollack Group came across so humble. A powerful

man bowing down always softened one’s heart.

“Sure.” Noella gave a little nod, agreeing to it.