The Killer Queen

The moment Merrick laid eyes on Noella, he knew exactly how he’d pen his new masterpiece!

The old man felt like his long–dormant writer’s heart had been reeled back in, and his creative block was smashed to smithereens!

Sienna was pretty flabbergasted too. “Dad, how many years has it been since you’ve written a book? I remember that you said you were gonna take a breather after snagging the Honor Literature Prize.”

The old man was all fired up, not showing a hint of feeling under the weather.

“After seeing Noella, I reckon I could whip up another ten books! Noella, kiddo, I’ve got a sort of music store and I’m handing it over to you. Pop in when you’ve got a sec and pick out a zither you fancy. We’ll start creating magic next week!”

Sienna jumped in to intercept.

“Dad, that music store’s got a ton on its plate. Noella will get worn out. If you’re fond of her, just snag her a zither and call it a day.”

Merrick’s store wasn’t just any old shop; it doubled as an art exhibition center where many maestros showcased their zithers, a real hub for the zither bigwigs.

“A girl’s gotta have her own gig. Noella, the store is yours now. Whatever dough it makes each year, it’s all yours. Oh, and throw in the gallery next door too. If it gets too much, have Beckett pitch in. He’ll handle the hustle and you pocket the cash. The old man didn’t see anything off–kilter with his plan..

He was doling out businesses to Noella left and right, with the vibe that he wouldn’t mind tossing a few more her way.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

When Beckett heard this, he thought Merrick’s plan held water.

“Alright, I’ll keep things ticking over for Noella, and the profits are hers. If it tanks, I’ll take the

hit.”

The old man cracked a satisfied grin, “That’s my boy.”

Beckett already had his hands full, so squeezing in a family dinner was a feat. He was already buried in financial reports during his car rides, and piling more companies on his plate would probably run him ragged.

So Noella quickly chimed in, “I’ll manage it myself. It’s Grandpa’s hard work, and I’ll be sure to learn the ropes from Beckett.”

Merrick nodded, “Sure, they’re just small ventures. Have a little fun with them. And hey, if they go belly up, no biggie. Count it on me.”

Merrick sounded like he was practically grooming Noella to be some kind of spoiled heiress.

Noella felt a warm fuzziness inside. She knew that her grandpa felt like he owed her something. and that was exactly a thought from someone who loved her. Both the Schnabel and the Horwich families felt they owed her because they loved her.

Freya looked at Noella with tender affection. Her silver locks didn’t dull her elegance one bit. Instead, they added a touch of poise and grace.

“Noella, September’s around the corner. Have you decided on a university yet? If not, how about shadowing grandma in biology?”

Noella pulled out the acceptance letter from her bag and handed it over to Freya.

“I’m off to Imperial University to study jewelry design.”

She had settled on her school and major a while back, partly because Imperial was closest to the Schnabels, and partly because she had promised Old Mrs. Lambert as a child she’d craft the world’s finest jewelry.

Back in that starry courtyard, Old Mrs. Lambert had taught her to identify the stars while cradling her in her arms.

“Someday, our little one will shine bright as a star too.”

“Then I’ll study jewelry design and make the prettiest jewels for grandma!”

Old Mrs. Lambert was over the moon, showering Noella with kisses as their laughter filled the courtyard.

Seeing Noella’s acceptance letter, Freya beamed ear to ear.

“Wow, our Noella’s such a star! A scholarship offer, no less! The brainy kid is surely our lineage!”

Sienna joined in, grabbing Noella’s letter and planting several kisses on her!

Her daughter was just perfect! She was beautiful, sweet–tempered, and excelling academically even in the dump of the Lambert family. Such a flawless daughter was truly Sienna’s pride and joy!

“Noella, why didn’t you tell us?” Sienna asked.

Noella was a bit speechless.

From Beckett to Elara, everyone pretty much waltzed into university without a hitch in the Schnabels – not to mention Elara being some kind of teen prodigy. Her acceptance was hardly a big deal in the Schnabel family.

“Just got it a few days ago.” She replied.

Tristan was beside himself with emotion, practically bawling. “The Schnabels have a few jewelry businesses – they’re all yours now! I will keep them warm for you until you graduate, then you can dive straight into work!”

12:21

Sienna was all for it.

“A girl needs her own career. Noella, it’s not that your dad and I don’t want to take care of you. Look at me – I got pushed around because I was stuck at home doing nothing.”

Seeing his wife bring up painful memories, Tristan was a bundle of nerves.

“Honey, let’s just jet off somewhere after Noella starts school. Let the eldest deal with the household mess!” he added.

“That makes sense. After we drop off Noella, we’ll take a trip. Didn’t we buy an island last time? We should get one for Noella when she comes to find us there during the holiday too!”

Beckett couldn’t bear to watch these two. So, they’d have their fun and leave him to mop up the mess at him, huh?

He was at his wit’s end dealing with Ashlyn’s tantrums and antics.

Recalling what Marcel had advised her, Noella glanced at Beckett, who was lost for words. “Brother, Grandpa said not to sweat it too much.”

Beckett’s eyes lit up!

The kids haven’t had much love for Ashlyn for ages. They’ve watched her push Sienna around since childhood. She was also harsh to them, and they couldn’t even compete with Yvonne.

Back when they were kids at the dinner table, Yvonne was the only one having meat in her bowl, while Beckett and his little brothers could barely lay their hands on an egg.

Merrick thought the Schnabels were hitting rock bottom, so he scooped up the kids. And Ashlyn? She was all snarky, going on about how the Horwiches looked down on the Schnabels and saying a married daughter should never hang at her folks‘ place everyday.

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If she wasn’t their elder, those Schnabel sons wouldn’t give her the time of day.

But now that Marcel’s spoken up, he ain’t sweating the small stuff, “Alright, got it.”

Merrick was grinning ear to ear while gazing at Noella’s acceptance letter, “Hey, Noella, can you let me keep this? I wanna frame it and hang it in my study!”

In Merrick’s study, it’s like a hall of fame of literary trophies. And now he wanted to add her no–frills acceptance letter?

Noella’s turning beet red.

But everyone else seems to think it’s a brilliant idea.

Freya’s got her hands together, all hopeful eyes on Noella, “Noella, can you make a copy for me too? I wanna hang it in my lab .And let’s snap a family photo to carry with me. I want to keep you close at all times!”

“But my other brothers and sister aren’t home.” Noella said.

Freya waves that off, “I’ve got heaps of their photos. We take them every year! I just want

12:22

yours!”

Freya and Merrick may be getting on in years. They were still on the front lines of art and research, but their hearts were all set on Noella, their granddaughter.

It’s a crying shame they missed her kiddie years – damn Lambert family didn’t even snap a few pics! Instead, it’s Briony who’s got albums galore.

Now, looking at Noella, they want to put her on a pedestal – she can do no wrong in their eyes.

“Okay, I’ll take a photo with you two in a bit.” Noella smiled.

“Alright! Let’s go change, quick sticks!” Freya and Merrick exclaimed.