The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Ashlyn refused to back down, even from her wheelchair. The bodyguards at the door had orders to stop her, but she came prepared with a boombox, blasting a recording of accusations of Marcel’s wrongdoings right at the Schnabel family’s doorstep.

The guards tried to remove her, but Marcel told them to let her in. He had a bone to pick with this stubborn old lady, wanting to confront her about past grievances.

Marcel knew Ashlyn had been in the hospital, not in a coma as some thought, but actively avoiding the Schnabel family. Seeing her now only confirmed Marcel’s belief that marrying her had been a mistake - a mistake that their children were now paying for.

Behind Ashlyn stood a man in a long coat, holding a duster, his eyes closed as if in deep contemplation. “Marcel Schnabel, I’m here on behalf of someone else. Elara’s presence is bringing chaos to the Schnabel family. As long as she remains, there will be no peace,” he pronounced.

“This is Cassius, from the Eternal Monastery. He read Elara’s fortune at birth, claiming she’s a harbinger of doom. If she doesn’t leave the Schnabel family before turning twenty, catastrophe will befall you all.” Ashlyn was adamant, “My divorce from Marcel is because of her!”

Marcel retorted, “Cut the crap! That’s a bunch of baloney!”

Ashlyn just smirked. “If you didn’t believe me, why let me in?”

She was certain Marcel must have known she was right, or else he wouldn’t have let her in.

“I’m the one who truly loves you, Marcel. I’m Tristan’s real mother. How could I possibly harm you?”

Marcel, gripping his cane, stood imposingly. “I let you in because I want to know how Tristan ended up being your child. Don’t lie to me; I’ve had a paternity test done.”

Ashlyn was caught off guard, trying to maintain her composure despite the shock.

“Tristan is my child, born after ten long months. Cassius said it; Elara is a curse. Now that you’ve found her real family, send her away! Marcel, while lying in the hospital, all I could think about was you and our child. I was misled by Yvonne in the past, but you must understand, I am your true wife!”

Noella, holding Elara’s hand, frowned. “You were supposed to be bedridden. How did you know about Elara finding her family?”

The knowledge was supposed to be a secret, kept low-key among a few families.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “Cassius predicted it. His skills are unmatched, and his words are truth.”

Noella raised an eyebrow. “And when he said Yvonne was an angel in disguise, that ‘angel’ didn’t bring you any blessings, did she?”

Instead of blessings, Yvonne exploited Ashlyn, taking all her money and even her cherished jade pendant. Thinking of the betrayal, Ashlyn trembled with anger.

“Yvonne will realize who truly cared for her after she overcomes her trials. Marcel, send Elara and Noella away. Take me back, and together, we can achieve enlightenment.”

A heavy silence fell over the Schnabel family.

Noella remarked, “It seems her illness has worsened.”

Ashlyn’s belief in superstition had grown more intense over the years. Now, visibly thinner and with a gaunt face, she appeared more spiteful and bitter.

As the sound of high heels echoed through the Schnabel Manor, a woman in a black velvet dress, her hair elegantly styled in curls, approached with a disdainful look. Helen, without a word, kicked Ashlyn’s wheelchair over.

Ashlyn screamed, “Helen, are you trying to kill me?”

Helen responded coolly, “My apologies, I didn’t see. Was that a stray dog yelping?”

Ashlyn felt utterly defeated. She had come believing a promise that this act would secure her return to the Schnabel family, only to be humiliated by Helen, whom she despised.

The Pollacks and the Schnabels had a long-standing friendship, and Helen had never hidden her disdain for Ashlyn. Each time, her frankness infuriated Ashlyn to the point where she felt on the brink of a heart attack. However, being a major celebrity, everyone simply shrugged off her bad temper with a casual remark!

Helen turned her scornful gaze to Cassius. “So, you claim my granddaughter brings misfortune?”

Cassius, ever the charlatan, replied smoothly, “It was not my intention to offend. Simply put, the presence of the young ladies disrupts household harmony. A change of name and keeping them out of the house could ensure centuries of peace.”

Helen challenged him, “And what names would you suggest for Elara and Noella, then?”

Cassius fumbled with his movements, pretending to calculate something with great concentration.

"Ladies, you should simply adopt your maternal grandfather's surname, that would suffice."

Noella let out a derisive laugh. "Then, my sister and I will take our grandfather's name, Horwich. That's settled."

A momentary blank expression crossed Cassius's face.

Noella didn't miss his reaction and followed up with an emotionless tone, "What's the matter? Since you're such a master, can't you figure out what my sister's maternal grandfather's name is?"

"Well... of course, I can figure that out. This young lady should take on the surname Richardson! Miss, your destiny is too prosperous, like a rainbow piercing through the sun. Keeping it within the family would harm your relatives! The ‘Richardson’ surname can help preserve your strength, ensuring peace for the household!"

Noella realized then that Cassius must have been sent by the Richardsons. She wondered who from the Richardsons was so eager to have Elara return to their fold.

Tristan was furious! "I'd like to know exactly who my daughters are supposedly harming! Even if God himself claimed they bring bad luck, we, the Schnabels, would let them squander our fortune if they pleased! I refuse to believe that I, Tristan, can't protect my own daughters!" NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

Elara tugged at Tristan's sleeve. Her surname, in truth, was of little consequence to her. As long as she considered the Schnabels her family forever, that was enough. If she really brought harm to the Schnabels as Cassius suggested, she would feel deeply remorseful.

"Maybe I should just change my surname then..."

A serene voice, as if imbued with a Zen-like calm, resonated from the doorway.

"With me here, who dares say Elara shouldn't bear the name Schnabel!"