The Killer Queen

Sexton was over the moon! Last time he heard Yvonne claiming she was his savior, he was so

bummed out!

Thought his peepers were failing him and he got it all twisted, but he vividly remembered being rescued by a knockout, not that plain girl Yvonne.

He asked Marcel, but that old coot played dumb and wouldn’t spill the beans!

If it weren’t for the live TV broadcast he caught yesterday, revealing that Noella was actually the Schnabel family’s daughter and even had the first dance with his grandson, he’d still be in

the dark.

That old fox Marcel, too crafty for his own good!

“Noella, I didn’t get you a birthday present yesterday, but I’ve had your gift ready for a while now, all set to give to you!”

Sexton, all mysterious–like, whipped out a box and handed it over to Noella.

Marcel shocked, blurted out, “Sexton, isn’t that the jewelry your wife got when you two got married? Are you really giving away your nest egg?”

“Buzz off, you old buzzard! Can’t you say anything nice? We had this pact in our family, a gift for each granddaughter–in–law! I thought I’d never get the chance to give away this last one, but thank God…

Sexton’s eyes

eyes brimmed with kindness as his weathered hands caressed Noella and Palmer’s. drawing them together for a gentle pat.

“Open it up, see if you like what I got you!”

Noella, meeting Palmer’s equally eager gaze, went with the flow and cracked open the wooden

box.

A set of top–notch diamond jewels caught her eye, each piece flawless. And Noella, having seen her fair share of gems, could tell this set was worth a small fortune!

“It’s too precious. I can’t accept this.”

Sexton clutched his chest, putting on an act like he was about to kick the bucket any second!

“Marcel, I think I saw our old friends…”

Marcel teased, “They probably don’t want to see you at all.”

“My heart… it aches… Palmer, you better stick to the will I wrote earlier…”

Noella quickly piped up, “I’ll keep it, but it’s too valuable. I’ll just hold onto it for now and give it back to you later.”

Instantly, Sexton was good as new, peppy enough to sprint up five flights of stairs on the spot!

12:15:

“Once I’m gone, that’s yours to keep. There’s no giving it back! if word got out that the Pollacks take back their welcome gifts, how am I supposed to face people?”

Marcel chuckled, “In a few years you won’t be among the living anyway, just a ghost.”

“Go ahead and make me madl Humph! This wonderful granddaughter of yours is becoming part of my family! I’ll let you win this time

The two old timers were used to squabbling; it was just a game of who could act more childish. Noella, holding the diamond set, felt a headache coming on.

Palmer whispered, “If it’s bothering you, just tuck it away for now. The set’s a bit mature because Grandpa always figured I’d settle down in my forties or fifties. Then it’d suit my wife just fine.”

Noella shot him a look, meaning to have him take it back, but unexpectedly found herself lost in his warm, smiling eyes, full of emotions she couldn’t quite grasp.

“You’d look better with the necklace I gave you yesterday. Why aren’t you wearing it today?”

“I don’t like wearing Jewelry.”

Heading out usually meant offing someone or taking on risky missions. Jewelry would only get in the way!

“Wear it when you’re not on a mission. It suits you!”

At the birthday party, all the jewelry she wore seemed tailor–made, turning her into a dazzling, starlike presence.

Noella gave him a peculiar look. What did her wearing Jewelry have to do with him?

“Grandpa Sexton, let me give you a check–up.”

“Eh, eh, sure thing, come on over, girl. I trust your medical skills! Even Professor Calvin said I’ve been recovering well!”

Seeing Noella so concerned about Sexton, Marcel Jealously muttered, “Humph, she’s still my granddaughter. I’m sick too, and I need a check–up!”

Noella smiled helplessly.

With one hand on Marcel’s wrist and the other on Sexton’s, she began taking their pulses simultaneously!

Palmer’s eyes shone with admiration.

The legendary Phantom Surgeon Lunaris could check the pulse of ten people at once, rapidly diagnosing each condition and making quick decisions to snatch lives back from the Grim Reaper!

Noella’s fingers delicate and fair rocted an thair aulene

CHALII. . £.

like a painting come to life.

“Grandpa, you stayed up too late last night. Do it again, and I’ll confiscate your comics.

Grandpa Sexton, you’ve been up late too, and you’ve been getting mad a lot lately. That’s not good for your health.”

Marcel quickly hid his comics under the blankets and sald, “No, no, no! You got thern for me, so. you can’t take them away!”

“If you stay up past three, you can kiss them goodbye.”

Marcel looked downcast, scolded by his granddaughter.

“Alright, alright, you’re scarier than any of your brothers. Even Ulrich wasn’t this harsh when he checked up on me.”

But the thing is, Ulrich’s a clinical doc, not Into pulse–taking like Noella, let alone pinpointing his bedtime so accurately!

Noella turned to Sexton and said, “Grandpa Sexton, you’re mostly fine, but you’re still recovering from that poisoning. Plus, have you eaten anything you shouldn’t have lately?”

Palmer grew worried too, eyeing Sexton.

“Grandpa, you already got poisoned by taking the wrong meds, so how could you go eating random stuff?”

Sexton looked utterly wronged. “I didn’t eat anything weird! Just my meds, my meals, and when I have a game of chess with Marcel here, I would have the afternoon tea the Schnabel family’s chef brings. I swear, that’s all I had!”

His meds and food have been checked and double–checked, all to ensure his safety!

The Schnabel family’s afternoon tea was legit delicious!

Noella glanced at Palmer and explained, “Grandpa’s tea is this special medicinal recipe I whipped up for him. It’s cool for Grandpa Sexton to have some too – all good. But his pulse is off, for real. Mind if I take a look at his meds?”

“Sure thing, hang tight, I’ll grab them for you in a jiffy!”

Palmer took long strides, dashed to the room next door, and came back with Sexton’s box of pills, handing it over to Noella. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“What’s this?” She picked up a few pills from the box, frowning slightly.

Sexton was puzzled too.

“Hey, what’s this stuff? Beats me, let me think. Oh snap, I remember now! Yvonne, that chick, dropped them off a while back, claimed they were like health boosters or something. She said they were good for my body. She mentioned Marcel and Ashlyn were popping them too, so I figured, why not?”

But honestly, the sight of Yvonne’s dress that was bigger than his hospital bed was enough to give him a headache. He barely looked at what she gave him before shooing her away.

He’d totally spaced on it these past few days and just chucked them down the hatch with his regular meds.

Palmer’s brow was knitted with worry as he asked, “Noella, what is this stuff?”

Noella spoke up coolly, “Some black market miracle cure, ‘Nourishment Pill‘.”