The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

“No worries,” Noella mused, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at Helen who was seated across from her. She knew the old lady meant no harm from start to finish. It was just her personality; every time she spoke, she somehow chose the most exasperating way to express herself.

People who took up the grave-digging trade in their youth were naturally sharp-tongued, after all.

Helen had been blaming herself for the tragedies that befell Palmer’s mom and Lavinia Richardson, thinking she brought bad luck to her loved ones.

Sexton sipped his beer. “Why don’t you ever talk about these things?”

“What’s the point? To make you realize halfway through our marriage that I’m prone to wallowing in self-pity?” Helen rolled her eyes. “I’ve informed Lucian about that charlatan. He’ll handle it."

Since it was the Richardson family who got duped by that fraud, it only made sense for them to deal with it!

Horatio, also seated at the table, looked up. “Do you need my help?”

Sienna had gone out of her way to prepare a vegetarian feast for Horatio and invited him to the Schnabel family dinner.

Figuring it was Sienna’s invitation and likely with Noella’s approval, and considering the Schnabel family's food was indeed delicious, Horatio didn’t think twice before accepting!

Elara was quick to shake her head. “No need, Master. This is all worldly trouble; best you don’t get involved.”

Horatio stroked his bald head. “To someone like me, all worldly matters are just that, worldly. And all can be a path to enlightenment.”

Noella gave him a sidelong glance, “Speak English.”

“I heard Lucian Richardson has an impressive collection of antiques. I’d love to see them.”

Antiques were Horatio’s true passion! The biggest antique collector in Imperial City was none other than Lucian.

Seeing Horatio’s genuine interest disguised as an offer to help, Elara didn’t refuse this time.

“Alright, then. Come with me, Master!”

“Thank you, Elara.”

Sienna cheerfully handed Malvina a box. “Here, a little welcome gift from me!”

Malvina hadn’t expected to receive a gift just for coming over for dinner!

“This is unnecessary. I’m not here for the first time... How can I just take this?”

Sienna glanced at Ulrich. “It’s different this time. Before, you were Noella and Elara’s friend. Now, you’re here as Ulrich’s girlfriend. I’ve been planning what to give to each future daughter-in-law for ten years. This is yours to keep!”

Malvina blushed and blurted out before she could think.

“Alright, I’ll accept it, and if I ever break up with Dr. Schnabel, I’ll return it. Then it can be passed on to the next person.”

A peculiar silence fell over the dining table!

Elara placed a hand on her forehead. “Malvina, leaving aside the fact that once my mom gives you something, it’s yours with no returns, how can you talk about breaking up so casually? Aren’t you worried about upsetting Ulrich?”

In a family like the Schnabels, a welcome gift for a future daughter-in-law was never something to be taken back.

Malvina was taken aback. “Dr. Schnabel won’t be upset!”

She glanced at Ulrich beside her, who still wore a gentle smile, feeling somewhat guilty.

Ulrich placed a peeled shrimp in Malvina’s bowl, wiping his hands before calmly saying, “I’m not upset, but I don’t plan on breaking up with you.”

“I didn’t mean now. I meant in case you stop liking me later. Who can predict these things?” Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Tristan jumped into the conversation. “Hey, look at Sienna and me, your Grandpa Merrick and Grandma Freya, we’ve been in love all our lives. Look at your Grandpa Marcel, Grandpa Sexton, they’ve been together this long and never talked about breaking up!”

Jasper interjected, “Grandpa got divorced.”

“Well, they still spent a lifetime together. Worst case, divorce is something for the very old days. Who knows, by then, you or Ulrich might not even be around. It’s possible, right?”

Marcel exclaimed angrily, “Tristan! What nonsense are you spouting?”

Only Tristan, with his blunt and bold nature, would dare to make such remarks!

Tristan quickly added, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just that Malvina, this kid, lacks confidence in love and marriage. It’s not a big deal! Live in the moment. Think of yourself as a carefree lover,

enjoy dating the younger Schnabel brother! If you find him suitable, marry him; if not, return him! I will find you someone else!” Tristan glanced at his sons. “I’m not boasting, but I’ve got plenty of sons!”

Malvina was utterly amused by Tristan. She buried her face in Ulrich’s shoulder, laughing uncontrollably, tears nearly spilling from her eyes!

Seeing her laugh, Tristan gave Ulrich a knowing look, silently bragging, “Still, your old man’s got the charm, huh? You've got a lot to learn about cheering up a lady!”

Opening the box from Sienna, she found a jade bracelet and money.

Sienna beamed, “It’s a small gift, $10001, symbolizing you’re one in ten thousand.”

As she spoke, she also handed Palmer a similar one.

“Palmer gets one too. Whether it’s our future daughter-in-law or son-in-law, everyone’s treated the same!”

Palmer stood up to accept it graciously, “Thank you, Mrs. Schnabel. I’m truly grateful!”

The amount might not be significant, but to Palmer, it represented the Schnabel family’s acceptance.

And Noella’s too!

Marcel then spoke up, steering the conversation back to lighter topics.

"Malvina, let bygones be bygones, don't dwell on the past! Ulrich is a good kid, but if he ever bullies you, just come to me, Grandpa will sort him out!"

Sexton whispered, "And don't forget about me, come over for a game of chess with Grandpa Sexton. If Ulrich gives you any trouble, I'll straighten him out!"

"Got it! I'll remember that!"

Jasper started stirring the pot. "Beckett, Ulrich has got a girlfriend, when are you gonna bring a girl home, eh?"

Beckett shot him a glare. "Just eat your food, will you?"

No sooner had he said this than Sienna chimed in, "You're going on a blind date tomorrow, I've set it all up for you! Don't end up the last bachelor while Noella and Palmer are starting a family!"

Noella looked helplessly at Sienna. She and Palmer had just started dating; having kids was still a long way off.

Beckett, exasperated, noncommittally agreed just to end the conversation.

...

After dinner, Noella, needing to tend to some business regarding Polaris Star, took Palmer to her study.

Just as they rounded a corner, Palmer suddenly pulled Noella by the wrist, tugging her behind the wall, and placed his finger to his lips, signaling silence.

"There's someone there, shh—"

He was so close, Noella could feel Palmer's breath on her face.

Around the corner, by the room's doorway, Ulrich was crouched down, eyeing Malvina.

"Repeat what you just said. Thinking of breaking up with me? Ha, you've got some nerve!"