The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

For the first time in years, a member of the younger generation had drawn so near to her!

As Elara's short hair tickled Helen's face during the embrace, it stirred a sensation that echoed the joy the old woman felt in her heart.

Feeling the love from her granddaughter, Helen tried to scold with a straight face, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, curving into an uncontrollable smile.

"What's all this hugging about? Off with you! Horatio, stop gawking and come along. I've got things to discuss with you!"

"Right away."

Elara understood Helen's discomfort with crowded situations and didn't press her to stay for dinner.

Exiting the Schnabel Manor, the smile lingered on Helen's face.

Seeing Helen touching her face and smiling to herself, Horatio was astounded.

In all the years he'd known her, he'd never seen her exhibit such expressions of contentment, happiness, and tenderness. It was like a flood of emotions had swept over her.

Horatio waved his hand in front of Helen's face. "Helen, if you're happy, why not just tell Elara directly?"

"What do you know? I'm at an age where I'm practically one foot in the grave. It's only a matter of time for me."

Helen was inherently free-spirited, perhaps due to her unique path in life, which made her somewhat reclusive and aloof. She didn't want to grow too attached to Elara, fearing the pain her

eventual departure would cause the girl.

After a moment of contemplation, Horatio sighed. "Given Elara's character, she won't forget you, even if you're not as close."

Just the mere fact that Helen had once fiercely defended Elara against baseless accusations was enough for Elara to forever remember her kindness.

Helen paused, then touched her cheek again. "Is that so? Indeed, that child has a heart of gold."

Everything she had done was worth it, after all.

Horatio, puzzled, asked, "Is hugging how Elara shows her gratitude and joy? Then why hasn't she hugged me as well?"

Helen gave Horatio a playful kick. "Shameless monk, go back to your prayers!"

Confused, Horatio wondered why his simple wish for equal treatment was deemed shameless.

Entering the Pollack Mansion, Helen looked for Sexton without success until she found the study door ajar. Sexton was coughing and seemed to be on a phone call.

"I know, I've been keeping up with my injections. It's okay, just some breathing issues. Visit when you can, bring some more medicine. Don't tell Noella, that girl's too tender-hearted. She'd blame herself if she knew my condition was incurable. Just bring the painkillers, don't fuss about the rest!"

Helen, hand on the doorknob, froze upon hearing this. She didn't enter but stood listening to Sexton's calm instructions.

"Now, my biggest concern is Jacob's family, especially Elara. Just let me tie up loose ends before I go. I'll take whatever medication necessary, but keep Helen in the dark. It's been a tough life for her.

My biggest regrets are towards Kendra, Jacob, and...Helen."

Helen closed the study door silently and walked away, expressionless. Back in her room, she sat on the bed, hands trembling as she covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes.

...

At Serene Haven, the Schnabel Manor, Sienna fretted over the dinner table, constantly asking Noella if Malvina would enjoy the dishes prepared.

Noella patiently reassured her each time. "Mom, Malvina loves sweets, and you've prepared five different cakes.”

Elara nodded. “That’s right. She's dined with us before and always praised our cooking." Content is © by NôvelDrama.Org.

Sienna, experiencing the role of a mother-in-law for the first time, was both nervous and excited. "It's the first time your brother's girlfriend is dining with us. Finally, one of my boys shows some promise. When will the others bring home a daughter-in-law for me?"

Thinking of Malvina's tough life, Sienna's heart went out to her. "Such a sweet girl, having faced so much hardship. If her mother were alive, she'd be heartbroken. I'm a mother too; I hope my daughters are treated well by their in-laws when I’m gone. It's only right to treat Malvina as my own. Having been a daughter and a daughter-in-law myself, how could I possibly make life harder for her?"

Sienna's past experiences shaped her resolve to treat Malvina kindly, vowing never to let her suffer as she had under Ashlyn's hand.

Tristan immediately wrapped his arms around Sienna, supporting her unwavering kindness and empathy.

"Honey! Don't talk nonsense! If you are gone, I wouldn't want to live either!"

The couple's dramatics were nothing new to the family.

Marcel let out a sigh. "Fate can be so cruel. If Harriet were still with us, she would have made a wonderful mother, and a fantastic mother-in-law."

Worried that bringing up Marcel's sorrow might worsen his condition, Noella glanced at the clock.

"Didn't Ulrich say he'd be home by seven? Why isn't he here yet?"

Sienna, both annoyed and concerned, reached for her phone.

"This kid, is he caught up in surgery again? Why didn’t he call if he's running late? It's almost eight now. We're all waiting on him for dinner, and what if Malvina goes hungry?"

Sienna's thoughts were wholly consumed by her future daughter-in-law!

A few busy tones came from the other end of the line, Ulrich's phone went unanswered!

Sienna grew anxious and quickly dialed Malvina's number, only to find it turned off!

"What's going on? Could something have happened to those two..."

With that thought, Sienna lost her appetite completely and started pacing the dining room, making several calls in a row.

Palmer subtly caught Noella's hand, motioning for her to look down, and slid his phone to her under the table.

An urgent message from Annie was displayed on the screen: [Boss, Ms. Gruber and Dr. Schnabel were intercepted by the Shadow Dragon Society!]