The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Chloe gazed at Noella, her wrists wrapped in gauze, her eyes swollen from crying. Summoning her courage, she approached Noella, bending over in a gesture of deep appreciation, tears dropping onto the floor.

"Ms. Schnabel, thank you so much."

Noella shook her head, dismissing the gravity of her actions. "It's nothing to dwell on, really. It was my own choice, nothing to do with you."

"I saved you because you're Millie's sister," she added.

Millie couldn't help but tease, "Ha, when you saved me back in the day, it wasn't because I was someone's sister."

Noella looked up at her, a soft smile on her face. "That was because you owed my grandma a bunch of bread money and never paid up. I had to get it back somehow."

Millie knew all too well that Noella's excuses were just her way of showing care. Her mentor, after all, had a heart gentler and kinder than anyone! "Some things you gotta handle on your own. I won't be checking on you for a while," Noella hinted to Millie.

Millie understood what Noella meant. "I got it!"

Noella glanced at Jasper, "Jasper, could you lend Millie a hand?"

"Of course. You just focus on resting. Leave the rest to us."

Seeing how much Noella cared for Millie, Jasper knew she held Millie in high regard. Wanting to ease Noella's worries about Millie, Jasper quickly agreed.

As they left the clinic, Millie saw Chloe still in tears. "Hey, no more crying. It's not the end of the world."

"Millie, were you... like me once?"

"Much worse, actually. I almost starved! But someone told me to believe in myself."

Millie put her arm around Chloe, hugging her sister she'd never been close to before. "Now, big sis has to go back and fight. You gonna rest up in the hospital or come with me?"

Chloe's heart quieted down a bit, turning to see Noella surrounded by the Schnabel family. "I'll fight alongside you, sis! I can't let Noella's rescue be in vain!"

"Good kid."

...

Back at the Schnabel Manor, the family made their way home, Tristan concerned about Noella's fatigue, "Palmer, take Noella up to rest!" "Alright."

Sienna headed to the kitchen to simmer some broth for her precious daughter, today's events having shaken them thoroughly. Tristan stood beside Sienna, both feeling a bit lost.

The housekeeper called out to them, "Mr. Schnabel, ma'am? Weren't you going to make soup for Ms. Noella? Why are you just standing there with the knife?"

Sienna snapped back to reality, pinching Tristan. "Honey, can you believe how brave our Noella was today?"

Tristan winced in pain! Sienna puzzled, "It doesn't hurt. I must be dreaming."

"Honey, you're pinching me! Ouch, that really hurts!"

Sienna turned to Tristan. "How did our baby become so kind? What did she go through to become so strong?"

They imagined Harriet Lambert, despite her humble means, never failing to care for Noella, raising such a kind and resilient treasure! Their thoughts overwhelmed them, and they embraced, crying together.

"Our baby's had it tough!"

"Yes, dear! So tough!"

The housekeeper watched, utterly confused. What's going on now?

Palmer laid Noella on the bed, still worried, pressing his face against hers to feel her warmth, somewhat reassured. Seeing Noella rush to Chloe's side had Palmer's heart in his throat! Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Noella, let me see the wounds on your back."

"The nurse already took care of them."

"I won't be at ease until I see for myself."

Reluctantly, under Palmer's

concerned gaze, Noella softened. She turned, shedding her jacket, revealing bandaged wounds and bruises treated with ointment, as per the Schnabel family's insistence. It wasn't as bad as it seemed

According to Calvin, they were lucky

to have arrived in time.

Even with their impending engagement, revealing herself like this to Palmer made Noella blush. Next, a warm kiss landed on her shoulder blade, fleeting like a butterfly's touch.

Palmer's voice trembled slightly. "Please, don't be so reckless in the future. I know you're capable, but I worry."

Feeling the concern and care in Palmer's words, warmth spread through Noella's heart. "I understand."

Today had been an unexpected ordeal. She hadn't meant to frighten the Schnabel family or Palmer to such an extent.

"Palmer, I'm okay, really. Don't worry so much."

"Noella, I wish you'd grow up faster."

She felt his embrace tighten, his voice shaking. "Hurry and grow up, marry me, let me protect you. I want to share everything with you, wealth, status, and... myself."

"Whether now or in the future, I want to stand by you with a better title, ready to face dangers with you, to share your pain."

Palmer sighed, placing another kiss on her neck. Though Noella knew Palmer had faced far more frightening situations than today's incident, the shock had still gotten to him.

After a moment's thought, Noella softened her voice, responding to his concern. "I promise, I won't be so impulsive anymore."

"Even if you promise, when push comes to shove, you'll still jump right in."

He understood her, and he didn't want to hold her back! "So, grow up fast, my fiancée. When you're grown, marry me, become my wife, and let me share all of life's storms with you!"

Palmer's voice, along with his passionate kiss, whispered into Noella's ear, igniting a fire of love that melted her heart too. "Mhm, I promise you."

At Imperial West Hospital.

Dressed in a white lab coat, Ulrich stood by Sexton's bedside. "Grandpa, you're looking quite spirited lately!"

Far from appearing like a man on his deathbed, he seemed lively enough to invite Marcel for a chess match!

"It's all thanks to Noella! For her and Palmer's engagement party, I have to make sure I'm there in good health!"

Ulrich rubbed his hands together. "Could I take a look at the medication Noella prescribed for you?"

Ulrich felt a bit sheepish asking

Noella directly, so he took the opportunity while examining Sexton

to ask. "Here, take it, just don't lose it. If Noella comes and sees Phaven't taken it, she'll have words for me!"

Ulrich held the medicine box Sexton handed over as if it were a treasure, his hands trembling. "Grandpa, could you take off your shirt and lie down?"

Sexton: "At my age..."