The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Just looking at your picture makes me feel like I could live another twenty years!"

Noella calmly corrected, "Grand-uncle, you got it wrong."

"Huh?"

This was the first time Noella had addressed Xavier as grand-uncle, and it took him a moment to process!

Then Noella continued.

"Just twenty years? That's not enough. How about a few more? I've sent you some supplements. With me around, you could live to a hundred."

Noella was not only the leader of the Obelisk Organization but also the rumored Phantom Surgeon Lunaris, known to snatch lives from the grim reaper even at the border.

Xavier knew this too!

Hearing her say this, Xavier felt his eyes well up with warmth!

"Ah, I always listen to you, you call the shots... Oh, right, Noella, let me show you something!"

Xavier, like showing off a treasure, twisted his phone's camera to give a close-up of Vincent Lambert and his family feeding sharks outside!

Vincent and his family were holding pieces of crimson meat, still dripping blood. If they were slow in feeding the sharks, the creatures would open their gaping maws at them!

Vincent, terrified, screamed and nearly pushed Belinda Fuller into the water!

"You guys are insane! Is there no law in this place? I've told you, my dad's a founding general, messing with me, you'll face divine retribution..."

Xavier let out a cold laugh.

"A founding general? The only Lambert I know crashed his plane."

"You know Marcel, right? Marcel won't let you get away with this!"

Vincent's words were more animated than he intended, mostly because he was just too scared!

Every day here felt like a nightmare; he was on the verge of breaking down!

Xavier took a drag from his cigarette.

"Been here this long and still so chatty, go pull his tongue out and feed it to the sharks."

"Yes, boss!"

Vincent screamed and fainted on the spot!

Xavier explained, "This one, saw me looking at Harriet's photo when he arrived, tried to claim kinship with me!"

Noella was silent for a moment.

That was indeed something Vincent would do.

"Deal with it as you see fit, but let's not mention this in front of grandma."

Noella then mentioned running into Garrick on the mountain.

"Grand-uncle, who really backed Garrick in launching the Polaris Star Project?"

"Ask your granddad! His arch-enemy, nothing to do with me!"

Xavier refused to discuss the matter further.

"I'm going to deal with this family, damn, thinking about how they treated Harriet pisses me off! They dare to share Harriet's last name? Might as well change it to 'Scoundrel'!"

"Gotta go, sweetie! I have got a pot roast on the stove!"

Noella was unaware that Xavier had taken up cooking duties at Lockhart Prison.

Watching the quickly disconnected video call, Noella knew she wouldn't get anything more from Xavier!

On the tombstone, Harriet's smile was gentle and loving.

Horatio clasped his hands together, "Noella, I must go prepare the memorial service. Everyone has their own path to enlightenment, do as you please."

"Speak English."

"You're kinda in the way, please leave."

Harriet's memorial service was ready, and Horatio had to lead his disciples in meditation and chanting here.

Noella glanced at him, about to leave, then heard Horatio speak solemnly.

"Also, I need to recalculate the fate compatibility between the children and the old lady, to ensure she ascends to paradise sooner."

Noella's knuckles cracked as she flexed her hand.

Horatio quickly switched to plain language.

"Just send me everyone's birth details, down to the minute."

Noella expressionless, "I'll send it, but remember to speak plainly next time, or I won't mind giving you a lesson."

Though Horatio was skilled in martial arts, he was no match for Noella, who could emerge unscathed from underground fights!

And when Noella fought, she didn't care who it was against, always aiming for vital points with precision, ensuring minimal effort on her part and maximum pain for her opponent.

Remembering how he'd been beaten by Noella before, Horatio shuddered!

Noella turned and left.

Horatio received the birth details she sent, sat down, and studied each one. When he got to the last one, he checked the numbers several times before putting down his phone.

A simple calculation revealed their destinies' intersection.

Horatio had wanted these details to solve his own questions!

He wanted to know why his heart raced every time he saw Elara!

Touching his forehead, Horatio murmured, "No wonder, indeed, we have a connection."

But it was just a connection, destined to be nothing more!

...

Exiting the memorial hall, Noella looked up to see a young man standing not far away.

Palmer's gaze had been fixed on Noella from the start, with no intention of looking away.

"Why are you here so early?"

"Came early to visit grandma."

Palmer reached out to remove a leaf from Noella's hair, his fingers trailing down her hair like fine silk.

"Did you go up the mountain?"

Noella's skirt was dusty, with burrs that could only be found on wild mountains!

As he crouched to pick the burrs from her skirt, Palmer's gaze lingered on Noella's delicate legs, touching them lightly with his fingertips.

"Cold? Next time you go up the mountain, don't wear a skirt."

The touch tickled.

Noella stepped back, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"No worries, I heard someone yelling for help, just went to check it out," Noella said, her cheeks flushing a shade of pink at her own words.

Palmer caught the slight action, a knowing smile crept over his face as he chuckled softly and casually tossed aside the dandelions they had been picking.

"I'm quite jealous of these little things, being so close to you all the time. If I had my way, I'd stick to my fiancée just like this."

"...You still have a lot of work to do."

"That's not important. I can always hand over the company to my brothers." This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

If possible, he would rather spend every moment by Noella's side!

Standing up, Palmer took Noella's hand and began to stroll with her through the cemetery.

"Once you're done with all the things you want to do, let's find a cozy place to settle down."

He knew she still had many dreams to chase!

A soft warmth bloomed in Noella's heart.

It seemed they both yearned for a simple, mundane life, long having grown weary of their perilous existence.

"Palmer, are you... planning to spend your life with me?"

Palmer tightened his grip on Noella's hand.

"I'm making this vow in front of your ancestors, the Schnabel family. Lying now would get me struck by lightning!

Noella, I want to spend a lifetime, two lifetimes, all my remaining years with you, only you!"