The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Marisol couldn't help but smile, her face lighting up the room.

"Are you sticking his neck out for Simeon?" she teased.

Ms. Noella was just too kind-hearted!

"No, it's just that I can't stand seeing a good guy get pushed around. Simeon's got talent, he just lacks opportunity. If giving him a chance means pulling a few strings to help him grow, I'm all for it."

Marisol knew it. Noella was all in on supporting Simeon!

"Simeon's also been under Merrick's wing, grateful for the opportunities over the years. A lot of folks are hesitant to leave because they just can't bear to part ways with Merrick and Freya. When the company hit a rough patch, Cosmo wanted to cut staff. Merrick put his own book royalties on the line, saying the young ones could venture out, but someone like Simeon, who had a family to support, wouldn't find it easy out there. Merrick said, even if you can't keep up tech-wise or brain- wise, switch roles but don't cut jobs."

And that's why nobody wanted to leave!

"Do you also feel that way, is that why you're sticking around?" Noella asked, lifting her gaze.

Marisol's cheeks turned a shade of pink, but she nodded firmly.

"I'm gonna go call Cosmo!"

"Hold up, I'll come with you. It'll also give me a chance to see the company's inner workings."

Noella stood up, walking side by side with Marisol.

Outside the design department, near the director's office, a fierce argument was erupting from within!

"That damn Simeon!"

"Thinks playing lapdog to some clueless young thing will skyrocket his career?"

The sound of a glass shattering on the floor was crystal clear! You'd know right away it was Cosmo, fuming and trashing his office in a rage.

Cosmo's assistant whispered, "Director, Simeon's gone. What about those projects you assigned him?"

"Hmph! I refuse to believe Simeon has the guts to not follow through!"

In the whole design department, there was no one else as exploitable as Simeon.

Cosmo couldn't believe Noella actually had any substantial work for Simeon.

Once Simeon was found, a little intimidation and a shiny promise would bring him right back to finish his tasks.

"As for Ms. Noella..."

"She's just a wet-behind-the-ears kid, what's there to fear?"

The knock on the door sounded, and Noella entered, smiling at Cosmo.

"Cosmo, I forgot to mention, I'm thinking of shaking up the corporate structure a bit. From now on, your work will be reported to my design assistant."

Cosmo broke into a cold sweat! Whether it was the shock of reporting to Simeon or realizing Noella had overheard his rant, it sent shivers down his spine.

"How long have you been here, Ms. Noella?"

Noella raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Cosmo, take a wild guess. I was thinking of having a drink with you, but since you don't seem too keen on me, let's forget it!"

Cosmo felt a chill run down his back as Noella's words hit home.

"I... Ms. Noella, that's not what I meant!"

"Whether you meant it or not, plenty of people heard you. No need to explain to me."

As Cosmo tried to speak, the shattered glass on the floor silenced him.

Watching Noella leave with Marisol, Cosmo felt like he'd ignored some crucial advice.

"This girl must be my unlucky star..."

He made a mental note to visit a church and light a candle or two.

...

After wrapping up at the office, Noella stretched.

"Ms. Noella, I'm heading off. Don't stay too late," Marisol said with a smile.

"Alright, I'm off too."

Noella packed up and checked a message from Sienna. It was full of concerns about work, asking if she had eaten on time.

Noella always took the time to respond to Sienna's long messages, feeling the warmth of family care.

Stepping outside, a sleek car waited by the curb, Annie waving from across the street.

"Ms. Noella, over here!"

Approaching the car, Annie opened the door, revealing Palmer bathed in the twilight, his features even more striking against the evening glow.

"Not busy? Or does the CEO abide by nine-to-five?"

If she remembered correctly, Palmer had recently taken over the family business again.

Palmer took Noella's hand, his voice soft, "Being a CEO doesn't allow nine-to-five, but being Noella's boyfriend does."

Business was endless, but time with Noella was precious.

Annie grumbled as they drove off.

"Ms. Noella, we could've parked right in front, but your company's security shooed us away, claiming it was the design director's spot!"

Annie was visibly annoyed.

"I told them I was picking up Ms. Noella, and they said in Falen Gemstones, the design director's word is law!" NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.

Annie looked to Noella, almost proud of holding back Palmer in the moment.

In front of Palmer, Noella's concerns are paramount. Anything about Noella, no matter how small, becomes a big deal.

But getting into a tiff with the security guard over a parking spot? This whole situation seemed like... something out of a grade school playground.

Palmer quietly turned his head, gazing out at the scenery, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Noella didn't miss the slight flush on his ears!

"Did you really get into it with the security guard?"

"No. Annie's just stirring the pot."

Noella edged closer, hooking her pinky with Palmer's, craning her neck to study his profile.

With that face, women were practically lining up to throw themselves at him!

Yet, only Noella knew just how childishly Palmer could behave when it came to matters of the heart!

Annie pursed her lips, her hands gripping the steering wheel in frustration. She wasn't making things up!

"What's with the car up ahead, blocking the road and not moving? What's their problem?"

The security guard jogged over, failing to notice Noella in the car.

"Sorry, but it's company policy for Cosmo's car to leave first every day. You'll have to wait!"

Annie was flabbergasted! How many rules had this creative director managed to impose on the company?

Noella chuckled lightly. "I thought Cosmo was quite young, but turns out he's like a Victorian-era vampire, acting as if he's royalty or something!"