The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

[Ms. Noella had her people on it already. It’s near Dr. Schnabel's lab.]

Palmer, phone in hand, opened up his notes to reveal a single line: [Let's not tell your parents just yet. Let's head over together.]

Noella knew Palmer didn't want to worry the Schnabel family and nodded in agreement.

Sienna and Tristan were pacing the dining room like headless chickens. After countless calls, Tristan was worried sick about Ulrich and Malvina. NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Noella's eyes flickered, and she quickly texted Mizar.

Soon, Tristan received a message about Ulrich being held up with an urgent experiment. Ulrich's lab was top-secret, and it was true he would go off the grid during experiments.

Sienna breathed a sigh of relief. "This kid, not even a call home. Making us all wait for dinner, it's just not right."

Tristan was still uneasy. "Beckett, would you mind checking on your brother? It's unsettling."

Jasper raised his hand. "Count me in! I've got to meet a client near his lab to pick up some evidence anyway. Might as well join you."

Beckett massaged his temples. "If you're heading that way, what's the point of me going?"

Noella looked at Beckett. "Beckett, I'll go too."

Beckett gave Noella and Palmer a puzzled look. "Just me and Jasper should suffice, no need for you to tag along."

Noella kept her composure. "We're going on a date."

Near Ulrich's lab was a popular spot for couples, a place many visited for romantic selfies.

Hearing this from Noella got everyone's attention.

Beckett, however, nodded.

It made sense for Noella, being young and drawn to romantic spots, to want to go, likely also out of concern for Ulrich. His sister was indeed the most kind-hearted and considerate!

The evening's drama left Marcel with a throbbing headache.

"Alright, go check on Ulrich. I'm heading up."

His marriage to Ashlyn, born from a misunderstanding, had lasted many years, a torment to endure.

Sienna asked, "Dad, should we call Dr. Hill?"

Dr. Hill was the Schnabels' family doctor, living just a building away in Serene Haven, always a call away.

Marcel waved it off. "At my age, Dr. Hill would only say things I don't want to hear. Forget it!"

Sienna had Stirling help Marcel upstairs to rest. Watching Marcel's stooped figure, Sienna felt worried.

"I'll have Dr. Hill check on him tomorrow, just to be safe."

"No need for such fuss. Let Ulrich look after him when he gets back."

Sienna scolded, "He's your father, not a fuss! Trust me on this!"

Tristan nodded, and the couple embraced once more. "Honey, your kindness, especially towards my father, just shows how much you love me! Lately, seeing you, it's like reliving my first love all over again. My heart races, and I'm smitten once more."

Witnessing the couple, Jasper shuddered. "Noella, let's get out of here. Elara, you too."

Too much of this sappy display had Jasper worried his dear, innocent sisters might end up with sore eyes.

After a trip abroad, Tristan and Sienna's bond seemed stronger. The Schnabel kids were convinced that perhaps their parents were the true love story, and they, merely happy accidents.

...

At Ulrich's lab, Beckett parked on the curb, Jasper hopping out immediately.

Beckett couldn't help but cringe at Jasper's flashy attire. A Hawaiian shirt with loud, colorful ties, never fully buttoned, screamed playboy. His wide-legged pants jingled with metal rings. Paired with his confident, occasionally roguish smile, it gave Beckett a headache.

"Why can't you dress normally for once, Jasper?"

"Beckett, I'm not in court. I'll wear what I like."

Aside from court appearances, Jasper dressed to please himself.

Elara defended him, "Let Jasper wear what makes him happy. He looks good in anything."

"Even in a fertilizer sack?" Jasper quipped.

Elara pictured that scene seriously!

Imagining Jasper, often seen in court, dressed in a fertilizer sack, Elara couldn't help but burst into laughter!

Seeing her laugh, Jasper's mood lifted. He had been worried the evening's events might have upset Elara. Her smile reassured Jasper all was well.

Spotting Darcy nearby, Jasper waved. "Ms. Darcy, over here!"

Darcy, dressed in a light blue dress and a quaint hat, exuded elegance.

"Sorry to trouble you, Jasper, making you come all this way."

"No worries. I was just visiting Ulrich with Beckett, so it's on the way."

"With your... big brother?"

Darcy hadn't seen Beckett since their last encounter at the hospital.

Beckett's social media profile was almost eerily quiet, with just a single family portrait of the Schnabel family as his background. In it, Beckett and his brothers stood in the back, while the two sisters nestled close to the three elders seated in the front row.

The only post on his social media was a celebration of the Rising Glory Group going public.

For some reason, Darcy found herself inexplicably saving a silhouette photo Beckett had used as his profile picture. It was unmistakably him - seated under the soft glow of his office light, with the vast expanse of the azure ocean visible through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, Beckett’s profile was as striking as a statue.

The Schnabels were a good-looking bunch, but Beckett, the eldest, possessed a certain mature and steady charm that was unforgettable.

Jasper seemed genuinely curious. "Yeah, Beckett drove here himself. Ms. Darcy, you've met Beckett. He's single, why not consider him?"

Darcy was taken aback, half-convinced Beckett had spilled the beans about their past to Jasper.

But then Jasper blithely continued, "I've played matchmaker for Beckett so many times, but he never takes it seriously!"

So, it was a scattergun approach.

Darcy smiled demurely, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She made up a casual excuse, "I'm not really into guys from big families, with so many brothers."

To her surprise, Jasper took her comment to heart and said earnestly, "I'd take a bullet for that, and so would Ulrich!"